100.000 Euros for Innovative Research on Cellular Signaling Pathways

For his groundbreaking research on the role of cellular signaling pathways for the formation of blood vessels and the development of cardiovascular disease, medical researcher Dr. Andreas Fischer will be awarded the Chica and Heinz Schaller Sponsorship Award. The sponsorship comprises research funds of 100,000 euros and is awarded annually to young scientists of Heidelberg University for outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research. Dr. Fischer is head of a working group in the field of “Vascular Biology”, which is affiliated with the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University and the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ). The award ceremony will take place on February 2, 2011.

How do blood vessels develop in humans? This is the key question on which Fischer’s current research is focused. He investigates molecular signals acting upon blood vessel cells called endothelial cells. Such signals determine where these cells will sprout to form new small blood vessels, whether the new vessels will become veins or arteries and how the new blood vessels will mature. Cancer research is a field where the sprouting of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is of particular interest: Without being connected to the supply paths of the bloodstream, a tumor could grow no bigger than the size of a pin head. The molecular signals transmitted to endothelial cells are not only relevant in cancer: As Fischer was able to show in prior studies, they are also involved in the correct formation of the anatomy of the heart. Disruptions affecting this signaling cascade also lead to brain vascular malformations. The team headed by Andreas Fischer is therefore working to develop model systems that can be used to test drugs against these diseases.

Andreas Fischer (34 years old) studied medicine in Wuerzburg and Boston and received his doctoral degree in 2003. After his ‘Approbation’ as medical doctor, he participated in a three-year postdoctoral training at the Biocenter of Wuerzburg University, before joining DKFZ and Medical Faculty Mannheim in 2007. His research at DKFZ is part of the strategic collaboration of DKFZ with the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, ZMBH), the DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance.

C.H.S. Foundation
The C.H.S. Foundation was established in 2000 by the scientists Chica and Heinz Schaller. It supports basic biomedical research at Heidelberg University by funding innovative research projects. By granting non-designated funds, the Foundation aims to support, in particular, young scientists who are conducting independent research projects. An important tool for this is the sponsorship award, which has been awarded annually since 2005.

Public ceremony for the presentation of the Chica and Heinz Schaller Sponsorship Award: on February 2, 2011 at the Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 282 in Heidelberg, at 4 p.m.

Contacts
Dr. Barbara Müller
C.H.S. Foundation
Phone ++49 (0)151 18724924
info@chs-stiftung.de

Dr. Eva Maria Wellnitz
University Medicine Mannheim
Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3
D-68167 Mannheim
Science Communication
Phone: +49 (0)621 383-1159 (-3184)
Fax: +49 (0)621 383-2195
eva.wellnitz@medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Dr. Stefanie Seltmann
Head of Press and Public Relations
German Cancer Research Center
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
D-69120 Heidelberg
Phone: +49 (0)6221 42 2854
Fax: +49 (0)6221 42 2968
presse@dkfz.de