DFG approved funding for two new Collaborative Research Centers focusing on aortic disease and lung cancer

Prof. Dr. Stefan Baldus

Prof. Dr. Roman Thomas

Prof. Dr. Stefan Baldus

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has recommended a Collaborative Research Center and a CRC/Transregio for several millions in funding for an initial period of four years starting in July.

Collaborative Research Center (SFB) Mechanisms of Drug Sensitivity and Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Chair: Prof. Dr. Roman Thomas
Director of the Institute for Translational Genomics at the UoC’s Faculty of Medicine and associated member of the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne

Prof. Dr. med. Roman Thomas comments: ‘Bronchial carcinoma is one of the most common malignant diseases in humans. We want to analyse the tumour at the molecular level and use the findings to improve the success rates of the treatment. Recent discoveries in genomics have provided new mechanistic insights into the biology of this deadly disease. We are working in a highly interdisciplinary consortium which will lead to new clinical treatment methods across disciplines and Faculties thanks to a translational approach.’

Transregional Collaborative Research Centre (CRC/Transregio) Aortic Disease
at the Universities of Bonn, Düsseldorf and Cologne
Chair: Prof. Dr. Georg Nickenig
at the University of Bonn
Vice-Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefan Baldus
UoC’s Faculty of Medicine and the Heart Centre of Cologne University Hospital and principal investigator at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne

In the CRC/Transregio "Aortic Disease", researchers and clinical researchers will work to deepen the fragmented understanding of basic principles in the pathogenesis of aortic diseases. It aims to contribute to the targeted development of new preventative and therapeutic approaches., basic and clinical researchers at the Universities of Bonn, Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Baldus explains: ‘Our research initiative aims to develop a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in aortic diseases,’ he said. ‘A particular focus is on aortic valve stenosis – the most common heart valve defect. In addition, we will focus on the genetic and inflammatory mechanisms for the development of the aortic aneurysm, i.e. the pathological dilatation of the aorta. In the future, we hope to develop new pharmacological, interventional and surgical treatment strategies, which is currently a major shortcoming in the treatment of these diseases.’


More information:

http://www.portal.uni-koeln.de/index.php?id=9006&tx_news_pi1
https://www.dfg.de/en/service/press/press_releases/2019/press_release_no_17/index.html