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ePaper created 2014-12-22, 09:34:33 | version 1.34.00
Energy I Earth and Environment I Health I Aeronautics, Space and Transport I Key Technologies I Structure of Matter 27 it is necessary to learn more about disease mechanisms and the brain’s response to a disease. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Common Diseases This programme focuses on the major common diseases of diabetes, pulmonary illness and allergies. Like cardiovascular disease, cancer and disorders of the nervous system, these diseases have diverse causes and result from the interplay between genetics, environmental factors and personal life- styles. Due to changing living conditions and longer life expectancies, they are becoming increasingly prevalent. This programme deals with the influence of genes and environ- mental factors on human health. An important goal is to clarify the interactions between the organism and environmental factors in order to develop strategies and procedures for the personalised prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research FINDING AND TREATING TUMOURS WITH PROTONS Can a tumour be diagnosed and treated at the same time? This idea could soon become a reality. In a col- laborative experiment conducted by the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, researchers have shown that the beams of fast protons could do the trick. Scientists call this combination of therapy and diagnostics “thera- nostics”. INITIAL SUCCESS WITH VACCINES AGAINST BRAIN TUMOURS Tumour vaccines can help the body in its fight against cancer. Due to gene mutations in tumour cells, they often differ from healthy cells. These mutations result in altered proteins that immune cells can recog- nise. Scientists led by Michael Platten from the DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital have developed a vaccine that triggers an immune response to a mutated protein in brain tumours and thus stops tumour growth in mice. The safety of the vaccine will now be examined in a clinical trial. The existing treatment with carbon ions, which was devel- oped at GSI, could be improved by proton theranostics. Image: Achim Zschau/GSI The mutated tumour cells of a glioma are stained brown. The altered protein is found in the cytoplasm and the cell extensions. Cell nuclei are blue. Image: DKFZ COMBATING HOSPITAL BACTERIA WHILE AVOIDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANCE Resistance against antibiotics in hospital bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common problem. Using targeted drug design, scientists at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (a branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research) have developed a substance to fight Pseudomonas infections while also avoid- ing the formation of resistance. The substance works by disrupting bacterial communication and keeping bacteria from producing toxins but with- out interfering with any of their vital processes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Image: M. Rohde/HZI