Press Archive
05.07.10
A new opportunity for hepatitis C research
Scientists at TWINCORE develop new model approaches for HCV research.
The hepatitis C virus is highly specialised. We humans are its natural hosts. The only other living organisms that could be infected with the hepatitis C virus in the lab are chimpanzees. Nevertheless it is – from the viewpoint of the virus – highly successful: around 170 million people are chronically infected with the virus. And with the chronic infection the risk of developing liver cancer...
07.06.10
The right response to every pathogen
Researchers from Helmholtz-Centre in Braunschweig, Germany, decipher how mast cells set immune defence on the right track.
In the event of an infection, the immune system releases messenger substances. These molecules can either activate immune cells to defeat invading pathogens, or inhibit them to prevent an excessive immune reaction. For this, the immune system has to decide very quickly what mixture of activating and inhibiting messenger molecules leads to a successful defence. Researchers from the...
25.05.10
New pathway to cheap Insulin
Researchers from Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig, Germany publish new and more efficient method to manufacture insulin.
More than eight million diabetics live in Germany. Diabetes is not restricted to our prosperous society and the highest growth rates often occur in countries with aspiring economies such as in Asia. Worldwide, more than 285 million people suffer from this illness; with 50 million diabetics, India is the country with the most people affected by this disease. In Europe, Germany shows the highest...
14.05.10
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research receives project funding from the Bill und Melinda Gates Foundation
Innovative nanoparticles release vaccine through perspiration
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) has received a grant through the current round of the funding programme “Grand Challenges Explorations” of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The programme is supporting a global health project for development of nanoparticles that release the vaccine active ingredients through the skin upon contact with perspiration. The Braunschweig...
15.04.10
Improving the degradation of toxic hydrocarbons
Initiation of a world-wide research project under the direction of the HZI
Braunschweig, Germany 15 April 2010 – The world-wide project “MAGICPAH”, coordinated by the Braunschweiger Helmholtz-Zentrums für Infektionsforschung (Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig- HZI), is examining how bacterial communities are able to support the degradation of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. “MAGICPAH” is a collaboration of thirteen partners from nine...
06.04.10
The immune system’s guard against cancer
Researchers from Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany have discovered how immuno-messenger substances can inhibit tumour growth
The human body has developed various mechanisms, through which it can protect itself against newly-developing cancer cells. For instance, killer-cells recognize and destroy altered cells in our organs every day. Once tumours have developed, they may be inhibited in growth by messenger substances from the immune system. Scientists from the research group “Molecular Immunology” at the Helmholtz...
31.03.10
„Wunderkammer Wissenschaft“ kommt nach Braunschweig
HZI präsentiert die Wanderausstellung der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft in den Schloss-Arkaden.
Die Wanderausstellung der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft wird am 8. März 2010 um 11 Uhr in den Schloss-Arkaden Braunschweig eröffnet. Das Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektions-forschung lädt in Kooperation mit dem Haus der Wissenschaft Braunschweig die Besucherinnen und Besucher ein, die vielfältige Welt der Wissenschaften zu entdecken. Die Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Deutschlands größte Forschungsorganisation,...
23.03.10
Grüne Gentechnik
Brauchen wir Freilandversuche in Deutschland?
Veranstaltungsreihe Tatsachen? - Forschung unter der Lupe
Donnerstag, 25. März 2010, 19.30 Uhr,
Haus der Wissenschaft Braunschweig, Aula, Pockelsstr. 11
Erst kürzlich wurde die Genkartoffel von der EU für den industriellen Gebrauch und die Tierfutterverwertung für den großflächigen Anbau zugelassen. Wie steht es nun aber mit Pflanzen, die zum Verzehr durch den Menschen gedacht sind? Könnte...
23.03.10
Unexpected diversity of the nose
Scientists at the HZI explore the bacterial communities of the nose in order to prevent infection.
The human body is colonized by bacteria. They live on our skin, in our body’s orifices and throughout our gastrointestinal tract. There they can prevent dangerous germs (pathogens) from colonising and thus protect us against such infections, or they help in digestion. When the immune system is weakened, even the so called harmless germs can become a problem and make us sick. One of these bacteria...
02.03.10
Small molecule with high impact
Researchers from HZI vaccine department examine new adjuvant to improve vaccinations.
The adjuvants present in vaccines have a bad reputation. For most people, they are only unnecessary compounds within a medicinal product. This is a misunderstanding since adjuvants have a critical impact on the success of a vaccination. In the best case scenario, one single vaccination shot would be now sufficient for conferring life-long protection. Researchers from the "Vaccinology and...
