News

Focus on Trauma Research in u-topics magazine

The focus of the new edition of the university magazine u-topics is trauma research at Ulm University. The MTW is not missing: the article reports on the current status of the emerging research building – including a video that provides an exclusive insight into the construction site from the inside.

New High-Security Laboratory for Ulm University

The virological research at the University Medical Center in Ulm is expanding with the construction of a high-security Level 3 containment laboratory (S3-Lab) as a container solution on the campus. This lab will primarily focus on researching SARS-CoV-2, but will also study other pathogens such as influenza and HIV viruses. The total construction cost, including equipment, amounts to approximately 8.4 million euros. The new laboratory will enhance the capabilities for studying coronaviruses and enable a faster and more effective response to emerging viral diseases. The President of Ulm University, Professor Michael Weber, highlighted that the new S3-Lab will advance outstanding virological research at the university, leading to new insights for combating dangerous pathogens.

A Level 3 laboratory is designed for working with dangerous or potentially deadly pathogens and is commonly used to research drugs against infectious diseases. In addition to developing antiviral medications, researchers at the new lab aim to understand how SARS-CoV-2 adapts to the human immune system. The facility is expected to be fully equipped and handed over to researchers in the third quarter of 2023.

Kick-off for the National Center for Tumor Diseases SouthWest

On World Cancer Day, February 4th 2023, a significant milestone was achieved as the establishment of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) at the SouthWest location was confirmed. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announced the decision during an event for the National Decade against Cancer. The University Hospital Tübingen, along with its partners, the University Hospital Ulm and the Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart, emerged as winners in a highly competitive nationwide process.

Being the first and only federal state to secure funding for a second NCT site, Baden-Württemberg stands out in cancer research. The expansion of the NCT network aims to reach more patients. The NCT network will include four new sites in Tübingen/Stuttgart-Ulm, Berlin, Cologne/Essen, and Würzburg with partners Erlangen, Regensburg, and Augsburg.

Confirmed: Tübingen, Stuttgart and Ulm as joint location of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT)

The oncological excellence centers in Tübingen-Stuttgart (CCC-TS) and Ulm (CCCU) have been confirmed as the joint location „NCT-SüdWest“ for the expanded National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT). The expanded NCT, comprising six locations, will receive annual funding of 98 million euros, making it the largest financial network support for national cancer research in the history of the Federal Republic.

The NCT-SüdWest successfully underwent a two-year strategy phase, and its main goal, along with all NCT locations, is to support clinical cancer research in Germany and provide faster access to innovative cancer therapies for patients. Patient involvement as research partners is a key concept, and each NCT location will have patient councils, allowing patients to contribute to the research process from the outset. The NCT-SüdWest is highly regarded for its development of targeted molecular therapies, with a focus on leukemias, lymphomas, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

University Hospital and Bundeswehr Hospital Ulm celebrate cooperation agreement

The Bundeswehr Hospital and the University Medical Center Ulm have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen their collaboration and strategic development. The aim is to enhance medical care and better respond to emergencies, such as during a NATO alliance commitment or terror attacks. The cooperation will ensure a more stable medical response in critical situations. Furthermore, the collaboration will help both institutions meet the minimum required surgical volume in different specialties, securing their respective locations.

The Bundeswehr Hospital will benefit from the research conducted at the University Medical Center, particularly in trauma care. Patients will also benefit from the streamlined medical services, as the cooperation will simplify access to specialized treatments within the „Medicine Campus Ulm.“

Special Research Area for Trauma Medicine is extended for the second time by the DFG

The Special Research Area for Trauma Medicine at Ulm University Medical Center has been extended for the second time by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In the third funding phase, the CRC 1149 „Danger Response, Disturbance Factors, and Regenerative Potential after Acute Trauma“ will receive over 11 million euros. The research aims to improve the treatment of severely and critically injured individuals by understanding complex body responses to trauma at molecular, cellular, organ, and organism levels. The collaboration involves 19 interdisciplinary projects and 20 institutes from the university and the medical center.

The focus is on investigating factors that hinder healing and long-term complications, as well as promoting healing processes and regenerative potentials. The research strives to develop better therapies for effective trauma treatment, emphasizing translational approaches.

Foundation stone for the future of trauma research in Ulm

On the occasion of World Cancer Day on February 4th, the foundation stone for the future of trauma research in Ulm has been laid. The new building, Multidimensional Trauma Sciences (MTW), will provide optimal conditions for internationally renowned researchers to study complex injuries and develop new therapeutic approaches. Trauma research in Ulm involves interdisciplinary cooperation between various fields such as trauma surgery, biochemistry, genetics, and psychiatry.

The research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of physical injuries, spanning from molecular and cellular levels to societal dimensions. The MTW building will house over 200 scientists equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, imaging facilities, and a biobank. The proximity to the University Hospital Ulm, the Bundeswehr Hospital, and other scientific institutes will be advantageous for the research.