German Cancer Research Center
Encyclopedia
The German Cancer Research Center (known as the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum or simply DKFZ in German
), is a national cancer
research center based in Heidelberg
, Germany
. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, the largest scientific organization in Germany.
The AGF was transformed into the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers in 1995. The Center has also been a member of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
(DFG) since 1977.
A Graduate and an undergraduate student program are present at the DKFZ
Dean: Prof. Dr. Thomas Efferth
Ombudsman: Prof. Dr. Lutz Gissmann
Ph.D. representative: DKFZ Ph.D. student council
with 29 Million Euro, as it was officially announced at the opening celebration on November 2nd 2010 with Germany’s Minister of Health, Dr. Philipp Roesler (Berlin). The modern new building is located on the campus of Heidelberg University Hospitals.
The NCT is a joint project of Heidelberg University Hospitals, Thorax Clinic Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and the German Cancer Aid, founded by the late "First Lady", doctor Mildred Scheel
. “NCT’s new building offers ideal conditions for translating current research results into clinical practice,” said Professor Dr. Otmar Wiestler
, DKFZ’s Scientific Director, at the opening. “Its two strong partners, the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University Hospitals, provide the best basis for this.”
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
), is a national cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
research center based in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, the largest scientific organization in Germany.
History
The establishment of a national cancer research center in Germany was initiated by Heidelberg surgeon Professor Karl Heinrich Bauer. The DKFZ was set up in 1964 by resolution of the State government of Baden-Wuerttemberg as a foundation under public law. In 1975, the Center became a member of the Association of National Research Centers.The AGF was transformed into the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers in 1995. The Center has also been a member of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is an important German research funding organization and the largest such organization in Europe.-Function:...
(DFG) since 1977.
Research
There are seven Research Programs at the DKFZ:- Cell Biology and Tumor Biology
- Structural and Functional Genomics
- Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
- Tumor Immunology
- Innovative Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy
- Infection and Cancer
- Translational Cancer Research
A Graduate and an undergraduate student program are present at the DKFZ
Dean: Prof. Dr. Thomas Efferth
Ombudsman: Prof. Dr. Lutz Gissmann
Ph.D. representative: DKFZ Ph.D. student council
Cooperation with other partners
A result of successful cooperation of the German Cancer Research Center with other partners is the first new building for "The National Center for Tumor Diseases" (NCT) in Heidelberg. The project was commissioned by the German Cancer AidGerman Cancer Aid
The German Cancer Aid is a not-for-profit organization to fight cancer in all its forms. The institution was founded on September 25, 1974 by Dr. Mildred Scheel . She was the wife of Walter Scheel, the Federal President of Germany from 1974 to 1979....
with 29 Million Euro, as it was officially announced at the opening celebration on November 2nd 2010 with Germany’s Minister of Health, Dr. Philipp Roesler (Berlin). The modern new building is located on the campus of Heidelberg University Hospitals.
The NCT is a joint project of Heidelberg University Hospitals, Thorax Clinic Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and the German Cancer Aid, founded by the late "First Lady", doctor Mildred Scheel
Mildred Scheel
Mildred Scheel was a German physician, the second wife of the German President of the Federal Republic Walter Scheel and the founder of the German Cancer Aid. As the First Lady , she immediately established this Non-profit organization to fight all kinds of cancer...
. “NCT’s new building offers ideal conditions for translating current research results into clinical practice,” said Professor Dr. Otmar Wiestler
Otmar Wiestler
Otmar D. Wiestler is a German physician, a professor at the University of Heidelberg and director of the German Cancer Research Centre...
, DKFZ’s Scientific Director, at the opening. “Its two strong partners, the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University Hospitals, provide the best basis for this.”