From May 15–16, 2026, the 3rd International Symposium “Frontiers in Skin Immunity” will bring leading experts in dermatology and immunology to Heidelberg. Organized by the SFB Transregio 156 “The Skin as Sensor and Initiator of Local and Systemic Immunity” and the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University the meeting highlights advances in understanding skin immune responses and marks the conclusion of the consortium’s third funding period.

SPT Labtech, a global leader in the design and development of laboratory automation and liquid handling solutions, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory’s Genomics Core Facility (EMBL GeneCore), today announced a collaboration to advance fully walkaway automated genomics workflows.

MRI analysis of fat and muscle distribution in more than 66,000 people provides a more accurate assessment of health risks / Poor muscle quality poses an additional risk / Study provides reference values based on age, sex, and height

The ability of cancer cells to change their identity makes tumors such as glioblastoma particularly aggressive and resistant to treatment. Moritz Mall, of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR), is investigating how this plasticity can be specifically restricted. His approach focuses on genetic “guardians” that suppress alternative cell programs.

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute have deciphered a key mechanism that contributes to treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They show that there are not just one, but four different subtypes of leukemia stem cells. This diversity could explain why one of the most important AML drugs does not work sufficiently in some patients or loses its effectiveness over time.

The Athletin-D project combines the universities of Bochum, Freiburg, Wuppertal and the Technical University of Munich on research into how the performance and health of female athletes could be improved in Olympic and paralympic sports. At the University of Freiburg, the sports psychologist Professor Jana Strahler is studying the interaction of hormonal processes, stress, lifestyle factors and mental health.

The University of Stuttgart has become a new Cooperation Partner of the European University Alliance EULiST. By signing the cooperation agreement in Lappeenranta, Finland, the university is further expanding its European network and contributing its expertise at the intersection of technology, science, and society to the alliance.

Whether people try to quit smoking depends heavily on public health policies in their respective countries – whether they are successful, however, depends primarily on their personal environment and behavior. This was the finding of researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in an international study.

Until now, it has been technically nearly impossible to rotate highly sensitive samples in all directions under a microscope without making contact. Researchers at the KIT have developed a new laser-based technique that allows microscopic samples such as cells to be rotated contact-free in all three spatial directions. The laser creates tiny temperature differences in the liquid, which trigger gentle fluid flows that move the sample.

Prof. Dr Simon Elsässer will be awarded one of this year’s Alexander von Humboldt Professorships in Berlin on 12 May 2026. With funding of five million euros, Elsässer will strengthen Freiburg’s research focus ‘Signals of Life’ over the next five years. In this interview, he discusses complex decision-making processes in cells, the significance of signals and what makes the research environment in Freiburg so special.

Konstanz molecular biologist Elke Deuerling has been admitted to the German National Academy of Sciences, the "Leopoldina". By selecting Elke Deuerling as a member, the Academy recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of life sciences, particularly to proteostasis research.

Cancer prevention with a single jab - 20/05/2026

Therapeutic vaccine against HPV-induced tumours

Persistent infections with human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the primary cause of cervical cancer. Researchers from Heidelberg have developed a promising therapeutic vaccine consisting of immunogenic virus peptides linked to silica nanoparticles, which is currently being investigated in preclinical studies. The vaccine activates specific cytotoxic T cells and is usable regardless of HLA type.

AI is transforming science and does not stop at neuroscience. In this interview, we speak to Gabriele Lohmann about her research at the intersection of the brain and algorithms. She talks about the use of artificial intelligence as a research tool, the decoding of brain activity, and why large language models do not understand what they are doing.

High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and vascular diseases. Many people affected experience no symptoms for a long time. This is precisely why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly. To mark World Hypertension Day on May 17, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is providing information on warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment options.

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has implemented a new system that helps nurses identify risky situations early on and provide more targeted assistance / Motion detection is performed using radar

NVision announced a $55 million Series B led by Abbott and unveiled PIQC, a new quantum computing platform built on its molecular quantum technology.

Medical Center – University of Freiburg demonstrates a fundamental therapeutic approach for hereditary immune system defects in a mouse model. The safety profile of genome editing varies significantly depending on the method and cell type.

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1550 “Molecular Circuits of Heart Disease” at Heidelberg University is entering its second funding period. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved approximately EUR 17.4 million in funding for the next four years. The spokesperson is Johannes Backs, Professor of Experimental Cardiology at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine.

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has been certified for the first time as a “Center of Excellence” by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS). The professional association recognizes specialized centers that treat rare tumor diseases in accordance with established quality standards. Neuroendocrine tumors are rare cancers that can arise from hormone-producing cells.

Research jointly led by scientists at the Heidelberg site of the German Center for Lung Research and investigators in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School identifies a new immunotherapy-based approach for lung fibrosis: reactivating natural killer cell (NK cells) to eliminate senescent fibroblasts, reverse scarring and restore the lung’s ability to heal.

Living systems such as cells rely on membrane pores and channels to transport molecules, exchange signals, and organize biochemical reactions. These functions emerge from dynamic interactions between molecular components. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have used DNA nanotechnology to develop a synthetic membrane architecture that mimics such interactions.

Chronic pain is among the most common and burdensome health conditions worldwide. But which processes in the nervous system cause pain to be “learned” and thus persist long term? And how can insights into the mechanisms underlying chronic pain be translated into new therapeutic approaches? These questions have been at the core of Rohini Kuner’s research for many years.

Which cellular processes ensure that immune responses are controlled precisely? A new study by the Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology Thurgau (BITG) and the University of Konstanz decodes a decisive signalling pathway.

The life science group Sartorius has opened a new center in Freiburg, Germany, dedicated to the development and production of quality-critical materials for the cell and gene therapy market. In Freiburg, the company manufactures essential components such as cytokines and growth factors used in these novel therapies. With an investment of more than 140 million euros, Sartorius is reaffirming its strategic focus on this emerging business area.

The German Chemical Industry Fund (FCI) is supporting the course offering ‘DigiChemJN’ at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy. DigiChemJN strengthens students’ data literacy by providing them qualifications in data-based research methods, experimental datasets, and artificial intelligence (AI).

How do antimetabolite cancer drugs damage the genetic material of malignantly transformed cells and thereby destroy them? How might these drugs be used more precisely, particularly in the treatment of pediatric tumors? A new research group led by Dr. Christopher Carnie, a scientist at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, will address these questions.

Joint press release of the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University and the German Center for Infection Research: With the FDA approval of Hepcludex (bulevirtide), a therapy for chronic hepatitis D developed at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University Hospital, and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has now reached the world’s most important pharmaceutical market.

Different types of bone marrow stem cells give rise to blood and immune cells. A team led by Simon Haas now reports in ​“Nature Cell Biology” how that diversity develops. The findings could help improve stem cell therapies, including treatments for blood cancers.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing new Collaborative Research Centres and extending existing research networks. Several DZHK sites are also involved. Particular emphasis is being placed on new research approaches to inflammation and thrombosis.

Leading scientists are pooling their expertise to further advance research and care for psychotic disorders and to align them more closely with the needs of affected individuals.

In response to stress or damage, cells undergo senescence and stop dividing. However, if senescent cells accumulate in tissues over the long term, chronic inflammation occurs and the risk of cancer increases. Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which senescent cells protect themselves from oxidative stress and a specific form of cell death known as ferroptosis.

Researchers at Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, in collaboration with partners from 29 German study centers, have found evidence of a potential biomarker for personalized therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a Phase II study. Analyses showed that certain patients could benefit from additional treatment with the drug Motixafortide in addition to standard chemotherapy.

Quantum sensors for magnetic measurements - 02/06/2026

New insights into muscle physiology – contactless and three-dimensional

Contactless measurement of muscle activity and training effects: using highly sensitive quantum sensors, researchers at the Universities of Tübingen and Stuttgart are setting new standards. This technology has the potential to revolutionise clinical diagnostics and optimise training and neuroscience research.

In rare cases, cancer treatments can cause serious long-term effects. These include so-called secondary leukemias. This form of blood cancer can develop when chemotherapy or radiotherapy damages the genetic material of healthy cells. A research team led by a scientist from Ulm has now discovered a molecular protective mechanism against such genomic damage: a peptide.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) funds continuation of Research Training Group (RTG) 2727 “Checkpoints of Innate Immunity in Cancer and Tissue Damage”, with around €5,8 million.

Experts in Heidelberg have developed an AI system that can classify brain tumors with unprecedented accuracy using standard microscopic tissue sections. Using digitized standard stains, the system identifies more than 100 molecular subtypes of central nervous system tumors, delivers results within minutes, and could accelerate the diagnosis of brain tumors worldwide.

NEURA Robotics (“NEURA”), the pioneer in cognitive robotics and creator of the Neuraverse, today announced a landmark Series C financing with a total round size of up to $1.4 billion to accelerate its mission of building the world’s leading Physical AI platform. The financing brings together global leaders across AI, robotics, compute, manufacturing and industrial infrastructure.

How can effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders be developed without having to accept unwanted side effects? Researchers at the NMI have made an important contribution to this field. In their recent paper, “NMDA receptor subtype differential affinity as a key enabler for precision neuropsychiatry,” they demonstrate how specifically targeting subunits of the NMDA receptor opens up new avenues for safer medications.

For the first time in 14 years, there has been a change at the top of the hospital rankings, which are published annually by the MINQ Institute in collaboration with Stern. In its very first year of existence, the Heidelberg and Mannheim University Hospitals Consortium has taken first place.

The University of Freiburg and Nagoya University are strengthening their strategic partnership through a joint doctoral programme and the Nagoya University Global Campus, which serves as a permanently staffed representative office in Freiburg.

This year’s Schering Young Investigator Award has been awarded to Can Aztekin, a Max-Planck-Research Group Leader at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society in Tübingen, to recognize his significant work in the field of regenerative biology.

It goes without saying that new drug compounds should place as little strain on the heart as possible. But how can potential effects be reliably predicted? Researchers from the NMI, Hannover Medical School (project lead), the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, and industry partners Multi Channel Systems and Foresee Biosystems are tackling this challenge in the new HEARTCORE project.

VERAXA Biotech AG, an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, today announced that its previously announced business combination (“Business Combination”) with Voyager Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: VACH, “Voyager”), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Voyager Acquisition Sponsor Holdco LLC, and Odeon Capital Group LLC, was closed successfully (the “Closing”)

Gelatin is a versatile natural material. To tailor its properties specifically to the various applications in medicine, diagnostics, and cosmetics, the Fraunhofer IGB has developed a toolbox for chemical functionalization. With the help of automated processes, the modifications can now be scaled under defined conditions, and reproducible batches of modified gelatin can be produced on a scale ranging from grams to kg for customer sampling.

In order to further strengthen Heidelberg University as an internationally recognized location of infection research, Prof. Dr Mathias Lichterfeld has been selected for an Alexander von Humboldt Professorship endowed with 7.8 million euros. Leading international academics are granted this most valuable of German research awards to enable them to conduct long-term, cutting-edge research at German universities.

In the latest QS World University Rankings, the University of Freiburg is ranked 14th nationally. It is among the top ten German universities in three indicators. In the overall international ranking, it is ranked 245th out of more than 1,500 other universities.

Medical Center – University of Freiburg has created a new miniature animation of the beating heart. To the knowledge of Medical Center – University of Freiburg, it is the first schematic 3D animation to showcase the dynamic movement of the heart in an anatomically and temporally representative manner. It shows that the heart pushes blood into the body while simultaneously drawing blood in from the veins.

The Collaborative Research Center (SFB) “High Performance Compact Magnetic Resonance” (HyPERiON) has been exploring new avenues in magnetic resonance technology since 2022. Under the leadership of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the researchers aim to develop high-performance magnetic resonance systems in a benchtop format to make them suitable for widespread use.

The European Research Council (ERC) supports visionary projects in basic research through its “Advanced Grants.” This year, the Council awarded a grant to cancer researcher and physician Dieter Saur from the DKTK Munich* site, and Aurelio Teleman, a metabolism expert at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).

Prof. Dr Fred Hamprecht from the Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing of Heidelberg University is receiving valuable funding from the ERC, which will support a project in the field of computational quantum chemistry. An ERC Advanced Grant also goes to Prof. Dr Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Director of the Central Institute of Mental Health and professor at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Ruperto Carola.

Four doctoral candidates from Heidelberg University have the opportunity to exchange ideas with outstanding scientists. They are set to take part in the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which is being held in Lindau from 28 June to 3 July 2026. Jana Braunger, Tim Schubert, Laura Rueda Gensini and Nathan Trausch are among around 600 young researchers who have been selected for their outstanding academic achievements.

For his research on the development of rare malignant tumors in the hereditary DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome, Dr. Felix Kommoss has been awarded the Rudolf Virchow Prize of the German Society of Pathology. Dr. Kommoss conducts research at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University and serves as Senior Physician and Head of Gynecologic Pathology at the Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital.

FlareOn Biotech - fluorescence-guided tumour margin detection - 01/07/2026

A sensor designed to visualise residual tumour tissue during surgery

In order to safely remove tumours in the head and neck region, surgeons must be able to reliably distinguish diseased tissue from healthy tissue. FlareOn Biotech, a start-up based in Frickenhausen, has developed a biochemical sensor capable of visualising tumour cells in tissue samples directly in the operating theatre within just ten minutes. The company is now seeking partners to help bring its diagnostic platform to market.

Certain medicines contain compounds known as PFAS, which are causing increasing environmental harm due to their long-lasting effects. A report by the University of Freiburg, commissioned by the German Environment Agency, shows that many PFAS-based active ingredients used in medicines can be replaced by alternatives. Based on the findings of the report, doctors will in future be able to give preference to prescribing PFAS-free medicines.

In a virtual reality study involving zebrafish, researchers from the University of Konstanz and King’s College London have discovered that the development of the eye is influenced by what the fish see during the early stages of life – and this, in turn, alters their behaviour.

The two inter-university funding programs SEED4EU+ and 4EU+ Visiting Professorships are entering a new round of calls. With these programs, the 4EU+ European University Alliance pursues the goal of strengthening links between the eight partner universities, giving scope to new ideas and supporting inter-university projects.

Cancer researcher Dr Alexandra Niedermayer from the Ulm Children’s and Adolescents’ Clinic has been awarded the Franziska Kolb Prize, worth 8,000 euros, by the Ulm University Foundation. The 32-year-old researches aggressive forms of blood cancer and, using modern techniques, has identified an effective, personalised treatment approach.

On Thursday, 25 June 2026, several Freiburg cancer researchers were honoured at the presentation of the CRIION Joachim Frank Prize 2026. Among them was Prof. Dr Robert Zeiser, who received the Prize for Biomedical Research. Prof. Dr Jürgen Finke, PD Dr Florian Scherer and PD Dr Elisabeth Schorb of the University Medical Center Freiburg, together with Prof. Dr Gerald Illerhaus of Stuttgart Hospital, were awarded the Prize for Clinical Medicine.