BioRN Innovation Tour

Innovation Tour

Life Science Campus Neuenheimer Feld – Part of the Biotech Cluster Rhine-Neckar, Germany´s Hot Spot for Personalized Medicine and Cancer Research

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Editorial

The focus of the Biotech Cluster Rhine-Neckar (BioRN) is on the

development of innovative drugs, diagnostics and platform tech-

nologies in the field of cell-based and molecular medicine. With

this brochure we would like to give you an impression of the highly

concentrated knowledge and expertise in medical and biotechnical

research – at our cluster in general and at the Heidelberg Campus

Neuenheimer Feld in particular.

While composing this information we, once again, became aware

of the impressive number of joint projects and the tight relations

and affiliations in our biotech cluster. It is this network that ma-

kes highly effective medical research possible, not only for the

research institutes but also for the BioRN companies involved – a

good reason for companies from outside the BioRN Cluster to

join our network and to participate in one of the most innovative

regions in Germany.

The Innovation Tour mainly guides you through the Heidelberg Uni-

versity Campus Neuenheimer Feld and gives you an insight into its

institutes and facilities. The tour starts in the north of the campus,

at Heidelberg Technology Park (see page 4).

Please do not hesitate to contact us ([email protected]) if you have

questions on the Biotech Cluster Rhine-Neckar.

Yours sincerely

BioRN Cluster Management

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Faculty ofBiosciences

Facultyof Medicine Heidelberg

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Campus Im Neuenheimer Feld (INF) This brochure will guide you through the Heidelberg Technology Park and through interna-tionally renowned education and research facilities.

Heidelberg Technology Park

Heidelberg University: Faculty of

Bioscience

Heidelberg University: Faculty of

Medicine

Otto-Meyerhoff-Center (OMZ)

Heidelberg University Hospital

National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT)

Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT)

Children’s Hospital

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) /

Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell

Technology and Experimental Medicine

(HI-STEM)

Heidelberg University Hospital,

Heidelberg University Hospital,

Max Planck Institute for Medical

Research (MPImF)

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Center for Molecular Biology of

Heidelberg University (ZMBH)

Institute of Pathology

Institute of Surgery

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Services of Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH

• Entréetoaninternationalnetworkof

science, business and public life

• InternationalPartnerPort

• Labandofficeinfrastructurewithhigh

flexibility

• Educationprograms

• Kindergarten

• Supplyandwastemanagementfor

chemicals

• Secretaryandmarketingservices

• Conferencerooms/lounge/restaurant

• Carsharingstation

Offers lab and office infrastructure since 1984: Heidelberg Technology Park, located in the north of Campus Neuenheimer Feld

Core facilities of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) are located in buildings of the Heidelberg Technology Park.

The Heidelberg Technology Park, conceived as a biology park, is a

science park that makes up part of the Ruprecht-Karls-University

campus. Covering an area of 80,000 m², with more than 80 resident

companies and nearing 1,600 employees, it is amongst the most

important biotechnology sites in Germany and amongst the leading

worldwide.

Since its creation in 1984, the Heidelberg Technology Park, with its

mix of bio, medical, information, communication and environmental

technologies, as well as environmental business, has grown into

an important entity, giving fresh impetus to scientific research and

business. New laboratory and office facilities are available.

Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH, as the operating company of

the technology park, is the central contact for companies and as-

sociated members.

The International Partnerport within the Heidelberg Technology

Park offers an opportunity for companies and institutions to easily

set up their presence in Heidelberg. An EU/German home office,

virtual offices and specific services are available.

Heidelberg Technology ParkThe Science park is part of the Campus “Neuenheimer Feld“ and offers services and infra-structure for start-up

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The Faculty of Biosciences is one of twelve faculties at the Uni-

versity of Heidelberg. It offers Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacy

and Biochemistry programs to 1.500 undergraduate students and is

responsible for more than 1.200 PhD students.

With more than 100 tenured and non-tenured research groups, the

Faculty of Biosciences is a central player in the Heidelberg Life Sci-

ence Community. Its researchers address fundamental questions in

all aspects of life sciences – from molecules to complex organisms

and from structural biology to behavioral studies. For example, the

Heidelberg Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology cov-

ers all aspects in the study of medicinal agents, from chemical syn-

thesis, the investigation of molecular mechanisms and pharmacol-

ogy to bioinformatics, functional genomics and clinical application.

Collaborative research centers with strong participation of the Fac-

ulty of Biosciences focus, e.g., on cellular surveillance and damage

response (SFB1036), maintenance and differentiation of stem cells

in development and disease (SFB873) or modelling and simulation

in the Biosciences (BIOMS).

Researchers of the Faculty of Biosciences are members of the following Centers and Institutes:

• Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology

• Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN)

• Centre for Organismal Studies (COS)

• BioQuant

• Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH)

• Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR)

• Center of Molecular Biology (ZMBH)

These organisatorial structures, which unite colleagues from sev-

eral faculties (Biosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Medicine)

or with dual affiliations (e.g., University and DKFZ), contribute to a

highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. All Centers

and Institutes are located in the Neuenheimer Feld, an outstanding

scientific and industrial research environment

BioQuant – Model Base of Life

BioQuant, the Center for “Quantitative Analysis

of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems” at Hei-

delbergUniversitywasestablishedin2007as

an interdisciplinary University research center

that is solely dedicated to research and training

in systems biology. BioQuant’s objective is to

function as a platform for the development and

constantrefinementofmathematicalmodelsof

complexbiologicalsystemsaswellastheswift

validation of scientific hypotheses via experi-

mentaldata.Currently,upto40Universityand

non-University research groups are affiliated

withBioQuant.

In addition to advanced computational tools

and methods for data analysis, image process-

ing, and modeling, BioQuant’s central technol-

ogy platform provides cutting edge technolo-

gies for systematic functional imaging with

an emphasis highthroughput and high-content

microscopy, high-resolution microscopy and

electron microscopy.

Heidelberg University: Faculty of BiosciencesFrom state of the art molecular biology to front-edge research on pharmaceutical drugs

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Heidelberg University: Faculty of MedicineOne of the leading institutions in the field of medical research and training in Germany

Recent studies and rankings confirm that the Heidelberg Faculty of

Medicine is one of the leading academic institutions in Germany.

The acquisition of external research funding to the tune of over

81 million euros annually confirms this evaluation. In addition, the

Faculty and the University Hospital, including about 20 academic

teaching hospitals, represent one of the largest medical teaching

locations in Germany, admitting over 450 medical and 80 dentistry

students every year. With close links between

• research labs and hospital wards,

• swift implementation of newly acquired knowledge from clinical

studies,

• practically oriented modern teaching methods and

• systematic encouragement for young researchers,

the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine is one of the leading institutions

for medical research and training in Germany.

Origin of renowned Scientists

One of the four original Faculties of the University in 1386, the Fac-

ulty of Medicine rose to new heights in the 19th and 20th centuries

with the presence of internationally renowned physicians like Her-

mann von Helmholtz, Vinzenz Czerny and Ludolf von Krehl. In 1910

and 1922 respectively, Albrecht Kossel and Otto Meyerhof were

awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine, a distinction also accorded

more recently to Bert Sakmann in 1991 and Harald zur Hausen in

2008.

Clinics and Institutes

Institutes• DepartmentofGeneralMedicineandHealth

Services Research

• InstituteofAnatomyandCellBiology

• InstituteofMedicalBiometryandInformatics

• InstituteofMedicalHistoryandEthics

• InstituteofHumanGenetics

• InstituteofHygiene

• InstituteofImmunologyandSerology

• InstituteofPathology

• InstituteofPharmacology

• InstituteofPhysiologyandPathophysiology

• InstituteandPolyclinicofOccupationaland

Social Medicine

• InstituteofForensicandTrafficMedicine

Clinics/Hospitals• UniversityHospitalofAnaesthesiology

• UniversityHospitalofOphthalmology

• SurgicalHospital

• UniversityHospitalofGynaecology

• UniversityHospitalofOtolaryngology

• UniversityHospitalofDermatology

• UniversityPaediatricHospital

• UniversityHospitalofInternalMedicine

• UniversityClinicofDentistry

• NeurosurgicalClinic

• NeurologicalClinic

• OrthopaedicHospital

• CenterofPsychosocialMedicine

• UniversityHospitalofRadiology

Part of the Faculty of Medicine: The Institute for Immunolgy, one of the most important institutions of its kind in Germany

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Otto-Meyerhof-Center (OMZ)Center for Outpatient Care and Clinical Research in Heidelberg

The Otto-Meyerhof-Center (OMZ) is home of the Molecular Medi-

cine Partnership Unit (MMPU) and other research groups of the

Heidelberg University Hospital. The institute is a joint venture be-

tween the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine and the European Mo-

lecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). They have both strongly con-

tributed to making Heidelberg one of the premier centers of life

sciences research in the world. Now, both institutions have de-

cided to accept the challenge and to jointly build and develop an

integrated research activity in Molecular Medicine: The Molecular

Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU).

Starting with dedicated laboratory space on the Medical Campus

and under joint leadership, the MMPU is assembling an internation-

al team of molecular research-oriented MDs, PhDs, PhD students

and technicians. The cooperation with the EMBL includes participa-

tion in all of EMBL‘s research activities, access to its scientific core

facilities and affiliation with the EMBL International PhD Program.

A feedback from bedside medicine is wanted

The research philosophy aims at the molecular understanding

of the basis of human diseases, its applications in diagnosis and

therapy, and a feedback from ‚bedside medicine‘ into the research

laboratory.

Research themes place emphasis on the diseases of childhood,

particularly blood disorders, childhood cancers, and chronic lung

diseases, in particular cystic fibrosis and on diseases of adoles-

cence, particularly cholesterol regulation, hemochromatosis and

colorectal cancer.

Home of the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU): Otto-Meyerhof-Center

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Heidelberg University HospitalOne of the leading medical centers in Europe

Heidelberg University Hospital with its more than 40 specialized clini-

cal departments is one of the leading medical centers in Europe. The

University Hospital and the cooperating facilities in the region offer

outpatient and inpatient diagnostics and therapy for all serve dis-

eases. Modern premises with state-of-the-art technological equip-

ment designed for efficient workflows in modern healthcare from

the framework for high-performance medicine for several ill patients.

The University Hospital provides all medical treatment options. The

immediate proximity of the departments to each other enables

interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy. Common as well as rare and

complex disorders can be treated fully and efficiently.

Regular medical care is frequently accompanied by clinical trials that

are conducted in all departments with the aim of developing new di-

agnostic and therapeutic options. Patients at Heidelberg University

Hospital consequently have access to treatment options that are

otherwise provided by only a very few centers worldwide.

Proven competence in oncology

Heidelberg University Hospital is recognized the world over as a cen-

ter for treating tumor diseases. A good 100 years ago, Vincenz Czerny

founded an institute for cancer research in Heidelberg, uniting cancer

therapy and research under one roof. In 1964, this became the re-

nowned German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Today, the Universi-

ty Hospital and the German Cancer Research Center cooperate closely

in research and patient care at the National Center for Tumor Diseases,

a facility that corresponds in character to the model of the American

Comprehensive Cancer Center. Here, current scientific knowledge is

put into practice as quickly as possible to benefit patients.

Passing on medical knowledge

There are currently 3,600 future physicians studying in Heidelberg.

They participate in the Heidelberger Curriculum Medicinale (HeiC-

uMed), which is the top medical programme in Germany. It offers

practical training in small groups oriented toward the curriculum at

Harvard Medical School in the US. One focus of the hospital is train-

ing non-physician medical personnel. Working with regional coop-

eration partners at the Heidelberg academy for health professions,

the hospital provides the highest standard of training for nurses

and technical assistants. More than 800 positions are available for

training and further education.

Facts

• 1,000,000patientvisitsp.a.• Morethan50clinics,departmentsand

institutes• 10,850employees,including1,500profes-

sors and MDs• 3,600medicalstudents

Research Topics

• Infectiousdiseases• Vascularischemiaandmyogenicdysfunc-

tion• Neurosciences• Translationalandindividualizedoncology• Transplantationandindividualizedimmuno-

therapy

Departments

• CenterforChildandAdolescentMedicine• CenterforPsychosocialMedicine• DepartmentofAnesthesiology(including

pain center)• DepartmentofDermatology• DepartmentofInternalMedicine• DepartmentofNeurology• DepartmentofNeurosurgery• DepartmentofOphthalmology• DepartmentofOral,DentalandMaxillofa-

cial Diseases• DepartmentofOrthopedics• DepartmentofOtorhinolaryngology(Ear,

Nose and Throat)• DepartmentofRadiology• DepartmentofSurgery• GeneticClinic• HeidelbergIon-BeamTherapyCenter(HIT)• NationalCenterforTumorDiseases(NCT)• TropicalMedicineClinic• Women’sHospital

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National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) HeidelbergTrend-setting platform for the application of laboratory research to clinical practice

2005, the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg

was founded as an exceptional alliance between the German Can-

cer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Medical School

(HUMS) together with Heidelberg Medical Faculty and German Can-

cer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe). NCT is a comprehensive cancer cen-

ter uniquely positioned to benefit from the wealth of DKFZ cancer

research and the Heidelberg biomedical campus. NCT’s mission is

two-fold: to provide optimal interdisciplinary oncology with current

clinical therapies and to rapidly transfer scientific knowledge into

clinical applications through comprehensive translational and pre-

ventive oncology. The new 5500 m2 NCT Core Building has been

completed in 2010.

NCT is the principal portal of entry for all oncology patients into the

medical center, and the primary location of all oncology outpatient

care. It integrates and supports all clinical and translational research

activities of DKFZ and HUMS. DKFZ’s many scientific disciplines and

interactions, including strategic partnerships with university medical

centers and industry, provide a strong framework for NCT projects.

In 2011, approx. 10,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients were

seen at NCT and more than 17,000 anti-tumor therapies were ad-

ministered. With more than 50,000 out-patient visits p.a., patient

numbers are steadily growing. 300 diagnostic, therapeutic and pre-

ventive clinical trials, including investigator initiated trials, were de-

veloped and conducted.

NCT pursues personalized oncology as a center-wide master strate-

gy that coordinates all activities towards individualized cancer medi-

cine, including patient-oriented genetics, proteomics, radiooncology,

immunology and prevention. The recently established Heidelberg

Center for Personalized Oncology (DKFZ-HIPO) forms a dedicated

genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics platform of DKFZ, en-

abling excellent basic and translational research. Its clinical coun-

terpart, the NCT Precision Oncology Program (NCT POP) combines

molecular diagnostics, innovative therapeutics development, inter-

disciplinary patient care and prevention to define molecularly strati-

fied patient cohorts and hypothesis-driven treatments. Towards this

goal, the center aims to provide comprehensive high-throughput

genetic and molecular analysis as a stratification tool for every NCT

patient by 2015.

NCT Unique Services

» NCT Tumor Boards» NCT Patient and Clinical Trial Center» NCT Biobanking» NCT Clinical Cancer Registry

Scientific Program Areas

» Clinical Research Program» Molecular Diagnostics Program» Immunotherapy Program» Integrative Radiation Oncology Program» Novel Therapeutics Program» Cancer Prevention, Control and

Outcomes Program

Interdisciplinary tumor outpatient clinic, opened in August 2010

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Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT) A unique therapy center which will not only help many patients, but also lead to a confirmed scientific basis for new cancer therapies

The Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT) is the world´s first

heavy ion therapy facility with a movable radiation source (gan-

try). The beam head can be rotated by 360° around the patient.

Numerous angles of irradiation can be selected.

HIT is one of the largest research projects ever implemented in Ger-

many. The total cost was about 119 million euros, shared equally by

the federal government and Heidelberg University Hospital. The HIT

covers an area of 5,027 sq. meters – almost the size of a football field.

In the long-term the estimated five to ten percent of cancer patients

in whom tumour growth cannot be controlled with conventional

radiation therapy because it is technically impossible to administer

a sufficiently high radiation dose will benefit from radiation at the

Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT). These patients have

tumors

• that are located deep inside the body,

• that are extremely resistant to conventional radiation,

• that are surrounded by highly radiation-sensitive healthy tissue,

such as the optic nerve or bowel, which should not be damaged

during treatment.

Project partners• Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University

• Clinic of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Therapy at Heidelberg

University Hospital

• German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

• GSI Helmholtzzentrum for Heavy Ion Research

• Forschungszentrum Dresden Rossendorf (FZD)

Tumors in the “crossfire”

A gantry is a rotable radiation source. HIT is

theworld’sfirst therapy facilitywithagantry

forheavy ions. Inaddition it isequippedwith

the intensity-modulated rasterscan technique,

whichofferstheworld sgreatesradiationpre-

cision in radiation therapy. The gantry at HIT is

a giant technical steel construction: It is three

storieshigh,25m long,13m indiameterand

weighs670tons,600ofwhicharerotatable.

Withagantry,radio-oncologistscanguidethe

ion beam into the patient at the optimal angle

asthebeamheadcanberotatedby360°.The

gantryallows for“crossfire“ irradiationof the

tumour. This means that the irradiation from

various directions overlaps in the tumour and

only there add up to the total dose. Healthy

tissue surrounding the tumor receives only a

fraction of the radiation and is thus spared to

a great extent. In addition, especially favorable

entrance channels can be selected that com-

pletely spare normal tissue that is extremely

sensitive to radiation.

Interior view of HIT with accelerator facility, gantry and treatment rooms

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Children’s Hospital Ultra-modern center for pediatric and adolescent medicine

The Children‘s Hospital is part of the Heidelberg University Hospital.

It maintains strategic partnerships with the departments of the

Paediatric Surgery, the Paediatric Radiology, for Child and Ado-

lescent Psychiatry and the Cardiac Surgery.

The new building was opened in 2008, and today the hospital is one

of the biggest University childrens´s hospital in Germany.

The examination and treatment areas are located in a colorful,

five-level cube with more than 150 beds and numerous special

sections for outpatient therapies. The state-of-the-art equipment

includes everything required to practice modern, cutting-edge

medicine.

More than 150 years of Heidelberg Children‘s hospital

Withsixbedsinarentedtwo-roomsapartmentin Heidelbergs suburb Bergheim, the Heidelberg physicianDr.TheodorvonDusch(1824-1890)founded the Kinder-Heilanstalt zu Heidelberg,theHeidelbergChildren‘sSanatoriumin1860.

In2010theHeidelbergChildrensHospitalcele-bratedits150thanniversary.With150bedsand6,300 inpatient as well as 36,000 outpatienttreatments per year, the Centre for Childrens and Youth Medicine today is one of the biggest university children‘s hospitals in Germany.

From the Luisen-Sanatorium to the Angelika Lau-tenschläger Hospital building: The first building of the children‘s Hospital in 1914

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German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)Largest biomedical research institute in Germany

To fight cancer through research is the mission of the German Can-

cer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)

Germany‘s largest biomedical research institute. More than 2,650

staff members, including 1,200 scientists, are investigating the

mechanisms of cancer and are working to identify cancer risk fac-

tors. Moreover, they provide the foundations for developing novel

approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

Scientific work at the DKFZ is assigned to seven Research Pro-grams:• Cell Biology and Tumor Biology

• Structural and Functional Genomics

• Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

• Tumor Immunology

• Imaging and Radiooncology

• Infection and Cancer

• Translational Cancer Research

Six core facilities provide the best possible support to the in-vestigators:• Genomics and Proteomics

• Imaging and Cytometry

• Information Technology

• Chemical Biology Core Facility

• Animal Laboratory Services

• Library

The DKFZ’s Office of Technology Transfer works at the interface

between research and industry. By securing, marketing and licensing

patented and non-patented research results obtained at the DKFZ,

the Office helps to facilitate the introduction of novel products includ-

ing anti-cancer drugs, diagnostic assays, and research tools.

Jointly with Heidelberg University Hospital, DKFZ has established

the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, where

promising approaches from cancer research are translated into clin-

cal practice.

The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Re-

search Centers (Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungs-

zentren).

Nobel Prize for Medicine Awarded to Harald zur Hausen

In 2008, Harald zur Hausen was awarded the

Nobel Prize inMedicine. The former Scientific

Director of the German Cancer Research Cen-

ter,washonored for his outstandingdiscovery

that human papilloma viruses play a critical role

in the onset of cervical cancer. His research

made it possible to develop a prophylactic vac-

cine against one of the most frequent cancers

inwomen.

Today,zurHausen‘sresearchgroupissituated

at the “AppliedTumorVirology-Building”. Here

research focuses on the development of a ther-

apeuticvaccinewhich isable tocureexisting

infectionswithcarcinogenichumanpapilloma-

viruses.

The renovated DKFZ main building with its mod-ern equipment and bright and spacious laborato-ries offers highly attractive working conditions for cancer researchers from all over the world.

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Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM) A non-profit institute for stem cell technology and experimental medicine

The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimen-

tal Medicine (HI-STEM) is a public private partnership between

the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg and the

Dietmar Hopp Foundation. Its aim is to promote translational stem

cell research in cancer.

The institute was founded in 2008 and is headquartered at the

high-tech laboratories of the German Cancer Research Center

(DKFZ). Researchers at HI-STEM are working in close collabo-

ration with hospitals in and around Heidelberg and the National

Center for Tumor Diseases in Heidelberg, and biotechnology

and pharmaceutical companies to investigate and develop new

methods to push forward the development of new drugs and

effective treatments for different types of cancer and to promote

their clinical application.

Discovery of active and dormant blood stem cells

Professor Andreas Trumpp and his team of scientists have made

many valuable contributions to stem cell research. They discovered,

for example, that hematopoetic stem cells (blood stem cells) can

be either active or dormant. Dormant hematopoietic stem cells

have the highest self-renewal potential of all blood cells, but they

very rarely divide in healthy adult humans (only about five times

during a lifetime). The loss of blood cells due, for example, to

bleeding or chemotherapy activates dormant hematopoietic stem

cells by means of a feedback mechanism. Once activated, they

ensure the rapid production of new blood cells and, thus, the re-

generation of damaged bone marrow.

The discovery of dormant stem cells triggered the search for

drugs capable of activating cancer stem cells that are capable of

dividing indefinitely yet dormant, making them susceptible to che-

motherapy.

The Location of HI-STEM at the labs of the DKFZ facilitates a close collaboration of research groups

Core of a Leading-edge Cluster Project

HI-STEM is a major component of the Biotech-

nology Cluster Rhine-Neckar (BioRN), which

wasrecognisedasaLeading-edgeCluster for

Cell Based & Molecular Medicine in the Rhine-

Neckar Metropolitan Region, by the Federal

Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

AtthecoreoftheBioRNLeading-EdgeCluster

arefiveso-calledcollaborativeprojects.Oneof

theseprojectsistheBioRNStemCellNetwork

which bundles and strengthens the region’s

scientificexcellenceinthefieldofstemcellre-

search.HI-STEM,whichislocatedattheDKFZ,

is the core of this collaborative project.

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Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH)Research and higher education in basic and biomedical biology

The Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH) is a pioneering institution

notable for its successful basic research, high-quality teaching in ba-

sic and biomedical biology and outstanding opportunities for young

scientists. The ZMBH has more than 250 researchers and staff

from over 20 different countries.

Of major interest for the researchers at the ZMBH are the following

topics:

• regulation of the genome

• signaling networks

• cellular quality control systems

• stem cells and aging

Grants from German and European agencies represent a very sig-

nificant source of the ZMBH‘s research funding. In addition to indi-

vidual project grants ZMBH researchers participate in a number of

collaborative research centers (“Sonderforschungsbereiche”) and

research training groups (“Graduiertenkollegs”).

DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance

Founded in 2007, the DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance is a strategic alliance

between the Research Program “Cell and Tumor Biology” of the

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Center for Mo-

lecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH).

Its aim is to establish an internationally recognized interdisciplinary

research center at the interface between molecular biology, cell bi-

ology, tumor biology and biomedicine.

Basic research and high-quality teaching in basic and biomedical biology at the ZMBH building

Scientific Service Facilities

• AdvancedLightMicroscopy

• Biocomputing

• CellSorting

• MassSpectrometryandProteomics

• ScientificWorkshops

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Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute of PathologyContributor of patient care, teaching, advanced training, quality management and research

The Institute of Pathology consists of three divisions: General Pa-

thology, Neuropathology and Applied Tumor Biology. The depart-

ment maintains close cooperation with the NCT (NCT Biobanking).

Characteristics• Diagnostic of 62,000 tissue samples per year

• 3,400 sq. meters lab- and office-space

• About 100 employees

The new Institute of Pathology was opened in 2012.

Working Groups

Molecular Tumorpathology• Invasion and Metastasis

• Apoptosis

• Thorax pathology

• Breast cancer

• Molecular classification and new markers in HCC

• Translational tumor research - “Predictive pathology and

biomarker validation“

Molecular Hepatopathology• Molecular Hepatopathology

• Intestinal tumor genesis

• Pancreas

Immunopathology• Invasion and Metastasis

• Intestinal immunopathology

• Haematopathology

• Nephrology

In close cooperation with the National Center of Tumor Diseases: The Department of Pathology

NCT tissue bank

The NCT tissue bank is a facility of the National

Center of Tumor diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and

is under the aegis of the medical faculty of the

Heidelberg University Hospital and the German

Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). The tissue

bank s purpose is to collect, characterize, re-

gister,fileandpreparehigh-qualitytissuesand

tissue extracts (e.g. in tissue micro arrays) in a

highqualityforscientifictumorresearch.

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Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute of Surgery Leading institution in abdominal surgery

The Surgical Hospital of Heidelberg University is one of the most

important and traditional surgical centers in Germany. Since its

foundation in 1818 the medical directors frequently gave pioneering

impulses, for example for the founding of a national cancer research

center in 1964 (today the German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ).

Today managing director of the Surgery University Hospital is the

internationally renowned surgeon Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Markus W.

Büchler.

The Surgery is sub-devided into seven sections:

• General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

• Heart Surgery

• Vascular Surgery

• Urology

• Accident Surgery

• Pediadric Surgery

• Anaesthesiology

• Radiology

Group Molecular OncoSurgery – Successful pancre-atic cancer research

The group Molecular OncoSurgery, part of the section general, vis-

ceral and transplantation surgery, is a cooperation between the Uni-

versity Hospital Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Cen-

ter (DKFZ). The group is active in pancreatic cancer and was looking

for a new approach to eleminate cancer stem cells, which are the

driving force of tumors. The team recently found a substance in

broccoli that supports cancer therapy. The substance (sorafenib)

inhibits resistant tumor stem cells and is also especially effective

in combination with sulforaphane, an organic compound found in

broccoli. The results has been published in 2010 in the prestigious

medical journal Cancer Research.

Under one roof: eight sections of surgery

Total Number of surgical interventions

2011 2012 In total

ambulant 83,804 81,387 165,191

stationary 18,968 19,568 38,536

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Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (MPImF)The MPImF is a facility of the Max Planck Society for basic medical research

The institution was founded in 1948. Its original goal was to apply

the methods of physics and chemistry to basic medical research.

In the 1960s, new developments in biology were reflected with

the establishment of the Department of Molecular Biology.

Today the institute‘s focus lies on Physiology, Central Nerve Sys-

tem and Neurology.

Domain of six Nobel Laureates

Since its foundation, six Nobel laureates worked at the Institute:

• Otto Fritz Meyerhof (Physiology)

• Richard Kuhn (Chemistry)

• Walther Bothe (Physics)

• André Michel Lwoff (Physiology or Medicine)

• Rudolf Mößbauer (Physics)

• Bert Sakmann (Physiology or Medicine)

The institute has close ties with Heidelberg University and currently

has three departments and two independent junior research groups:

• Department of Molecular Neurobiology

• Department of Biomedical Optics

• Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms

• Independent junior research group Behavioural Neurophysiology

• Independent junior research group Development and Function of

Hypothalamic Neuronal Circuits

Direct descendent of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Medical Research (KWImF) and member insti-tute of the Max Planck Society: the MPImF

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Heidelberg Life Science Campus IIScience and business in the new urban district “Bahnstadt“

2,500 flats and 7,000 jobs, mainly in the field of science,

are under construction in the new Bahnstadt city district

which will be bigger than the Old Town. New Technology

Park Campus II will also be established there. It will offer

innovative conditions for science-related companies and

science facilities first of all in the field of life sciences.

SkyLabs• Ultra modern building that will offer lab and office

space

• Ground area: 7,400 qm

• Rentable area: 19,000 qm

• Building owner: Max-Jarecki-Foundation

• First residental buildings and public facilities (Kinder-

garten) in the direct neighborhood

Transport connection between both CampusesFrom Campus II to Campus “Im Neuenheimer Feld“

• by car: 5 minutes

• by public transport: 10 minutes

• bicycle lanes: 10 minutes

Connection to the main station/to the Frankfurt Airport• New catwalk: 2 minutes to the main station

• Train ride to the airport: 40 minutes

Location of the Life Science Campus Neuenheimer Feld and Life Science Campus II in Heidelbergs newly founded quarter Bahnstadt

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BioRN Cluster Management The BioRN Cluster Management GmbH is charged with the co-

ordination, integration, development and marketing of the Biotech

Cluster Rhine-Neckar (BioRN). The company provides access to R&D

collaboration partners, contract research, manufacturing partners,

lab and office space.

Industry Association BioRN Network•Has developed the Rhine-Neckar Biotech Cluster since 1996

• Has built up a regional network of pharma & biotech companies,

service providers and other stakeholders

• Has implemented the BioRN Cluster Management to further

develop the cluster

• Represents the region´s interests in the German biotech community

Company Heidelberg Technology Park • Offers services for Start-up & Infrastructure (see page 6)

Chamber of Industry and Commerce Rhine-Neckar• Offers economy-oriented services

• Represents the interests of the industry towards the state and

policy makers

• Counsels for official decision makers

Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region• Home of around 2.4 million people

• Platform for joint regional development

• Engine of the economic, social and cultural development

• Its goal: to be one of the most competitive and attractive regions

for business and industry in Europe by the year 2025

On a site of 7,400 square meters an ultra-modern combination of laboratory and office spaces is being constructed in a prominent location in the center of the new district “Bahnstadt“

Services for your BusinessThe BioRN Cluster Management and its local partners provide professional services suppor-ting regional innovation and the growth of your business.

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Education / Further DevelopmentThe BioRN Cluster offers a lot of opportunities for further development and qualified pro-fessional training. Here are two examples:

HBIGS

The Hartmut Hoffmann-Berling International Gradu-ate School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

In order to take over leadership later on in their profes-

sional career young scientists need excellent education

and intensive support.

In Heidelberg renowned scientists of the Ruprecht-Karls

University and research centres like the European Mo-

lecular Biology Laboratory, the Max Planck Institute

for Medical Research (MPImF) and the German Can-

cer Research Center (DKFZ) aligned their efforts. This

alignment resulted in the foundation of the “The Hartmut

Hoffmann-Berling International Graduate School of Mo-

lecular and Cellular Biology“, abbreviated HBIGS.

The aim of the graduate school is to better structure and

improve the PhD education by providing additional inter-

disciplinary services regarding teaching, individual men-

toring and professional career development.

Graduate Studies at the German Cancer Research CenterThe Helmholtz International Graduate School for Cancer Research

The Helmholtz International Graduate School for Can-

cer Research is the PhD program of the German Cancer

Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum,

DKFZ). Through the Graduate School, approximately 500

students receive world-class PhD training in interdisci-

plinary cancer research.

Graduate students are recruited bi-annually from around

the world through a highly competitive selection proce-

dure. Annual Thesis Advisory Committees (TACs) moni-

tor the student’s progress, offer feedback and discuss

any other relevant issues of the student’s work. The

comprehensive training program for the students com-

prises scientific and soft-skills courses, lecture series

and career seminars and students also attend the PhD

retreat in their second year. Throughout their PhD, scien-

tific supervision, networking and cooperation between

the graduate student and leading scientists is facilitated

at an international level.

A further branch of graduate education, the German-Is-

raeli Helmholtz Research School in Cancer Biology, was

established in 2012 in collaboration with the Weizmann

Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. Graduate students

work on joint scientific projects under supervision of se-

nior scientists from both the DKFZ and the Weizmann In-

stitute. All projects include an extended research stay at

the partner institute. Annual meetings, joint workshops

and on-going seminar series and courses of the Re-

search School ensure a continuous exchange between

the partners.

Find out more at www.dkfz.de/phd.

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Published by: BioRN Cluster Management GmbH

Persons responsible according to the press law: Dr. Christian Tidona,

Im Neuenheimer Feld 582, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Phone:+496221655780•Email: [email protected]

Internet: www.BioRN.org

Commercial Register: Mannheim, HRB 704801

VAT ID: DE 2630 64 014

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Editors: Eva-Maria Gottmann, Dr. Stephanie Konle

Design Concept: www.stockhorn.de

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fenFuchs(Fotograf)•p. 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 18 Heidelberg University

Hospital•p. 14, 15DKFZ•p. 16HeidelbergUniversity•p. 19 Kay

Sommer•p. 21 bhp.com.de

BioRN Cluster Management GmbH

Im Neuenheimer Feld 582

69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Phone: +49 6221 655 78 0

Fax: +49 6221 655 78 11

Email: [email protected]

www.BioRN.org

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