Blocking cancer-specific mutations in leukemia and brain tumors
Leukemia and brain cancer in mice slowed down
 Many malignancies develop as a result of genetic alterations in individual cells. These gene mutations often cause altered proteins that give new, growth-promoting properties to the cell. A prime example for this principle is a cancer-related altered form of the IDH1 enzyme that was initially discovered in certain malignant brain tumors.
The 132 mutation of IDH1 has been found by now not only in various types of brain cancer (oligodendroglioma, diffuse astrocytoma and a smaller portion of glioblastomas) but also in approximately ten percent of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) as well as in bile duct cancer and certain malignant bone tumors. In two currently published studies, the Heidelberg researchers have now demonstrated the preclinical activity of BAY1436032 against AML and brain tumors (astrocytoma) in mice.
Under treatment with BAY1436032, mice that had been transplanted human astrocytoma cells survived significantly longer than untreated fellows. The agent, which can be administered with the food, substantially reduced the levels of the cancer-promoting metabolite in the cancer. "Even at high doses the animals tolerated the treatment well," said Andreas von Deimling, who is the head of a Clinical Cooperation Unit at the DKFZ and at Heidelberg University Hospital. "BAY1436032 really seems to act specifically on the mutated IDH1 in the cancer cells." [More…] |
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Auszeichnung für den Heidelberger Mediziner Dr. Matthias Osswald
Der Mediziner Dr. Matthias Osswald hat den mit 100.000 Euro dotierten Hella-Bühler-Preis 2016 erhalten. Die von der Ruperto Carola vergebene Auszeichnung wendet sich an junge Forscher am Wissenschaftsstandort Heidelberg, die bereits durch herausragende wissenschaftliche Qualität in der Krebsforschung auf sich aufmerksam gemacht haben. Das Preisgeld dient dazu, ihre innovativen Arbeiten weiter zu fördern. Dr. Osswald forscht am Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg und am Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) zur Kommunikation und Netzwerkbildung zwischen den Zellen bösartiger Hirntumore.
Matthias Osswald (Jahrgang 1982) studierte Medizin an der Universität Freiburg, an der er auch mit einer Arbeit auf dem Gebiet der experimentellen Epilepsieforschung promoviert wurde. Der Mediziner ist Assistenzarzt an der Neurologischen Klinik des Universitätsklinikums Heidelberg; aktuell ist er für ein Jahr als Weiterbildungsassistent an der Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie des Klinikums tätig. Seit 2011 forscht Dr. Osswald zudem als Postdoktorand in der Klinischen Kooperationseinheit Neuroonkologie, die am DKFZ angesiedelt ist. Im vergangenen Jahr wurde er mit dem IZN Chica and Heinz Schaller Young Investigator Neuroscience Award ausgezeichnet. [Mehr…]
Foto: Rothe
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Not just amyloid: physiological functions of the amyloid precursor protein family
 Amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been heavily implicated in Alzheimer disease, but the physiological roles of APP and the related APP-like proteins (APLPs) remain less well understood. In Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Urike Müller et al examine the functions of the APP family and its fragments in CNS development, synaptic function, brain injury and ageing. |
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Open positions at the IZN
- A postdoc/scientific assistant position is offered in General Neurophysiology (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kann
) at the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Heidelberg.
The group of Professor Kann focuses on (i) the neuronal energy metabolism and (ii) the impact of brain macrophages (microglial cells) on neuronal activity under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The future position holder will carry out an own research project within one of the two research focuses of the group. 
posted 07.2017
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, DKFZ Heidelberg (Prof. Dr. H.-J. Gröne, sub-group Viola Nordström ) is seeking two exceptionally motivated and skilled students (m/f) for Master theses in Neurobiology, offering the possibility to investigate the regulatory membrane lipid microenvironment of Astrocytes in the fascinating field of obesity, neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). posted 05.2017
- A master thesis position is available in the laboratory of Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar studying the role of Angiopoietins in the developing cerebellum. posted 04.2017
- A postdoctoral position in Neurobiology and Alzheimer Research is available in the laboratory of Prof. Ulrike Müller (IPMB, Department of Functional Genomics) studying the synaptic role of the APP gene family and their processing products in transgenic animal models. posted 02.2017
- Two PhD positions are offered in Developmental Neurobiology (Prof G.E. Pollerberg ) to focus on new cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-interaction partners which we identified and analyze the functional impact of these interactions on axon growth. The projects are basic research but also aim at contributing to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. posted 02.2017
Managing Director:
Prof. Dr. Hilmar Bading
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 364
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Coordinator:
Dr. Otto Bräunling
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Administration & Information:
Irmela Meng
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
