Thinking space technology

Deciphering the code of life

Today, science can decode the genetic blueprint of every single human being. In the future, preventive measures and cures of diseases could even be tailored to everyone's individual needs.

For this, however, we would have to divulge information about ourselves and decide just how much we want to know about our basic genetic endowment. This knowledge reveals risks and opportunities. But genetic information is by no means sufficient for predicting the fate of every individual. lt is therefore all the more important for us to learn how to deal responsibly with this new field of knowledge.

A Guest Contribution

What is the Gene Technology Report?

The Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) Gene Technology Report grapples with current developments in Germany of different gene technologies. In this guest article the IRG explains in detail what...

Genes – encrypted information

Understanding our bodies from within

The human body contains coded information, namely in the genes. Each gene consists of a vast number of building blocks, around 3.2 billion in total. In every person, they’re arranged slightly...

Precision Medicine

Tailored Therapies for Everyone

Treating diseases earlier, gentler and more effectively: that’s the promise of what is known as “individualised” – or sometimes “personalised” – medicine. It aims to take into account...

Where are we at today? Interview with Professor Dr Eva Winkler

“Precision medicine has arrived in cancer care”

Doctors are gaining an increasingly better understanding of why tumour cells develop and which molecular changes might cause cancer. One of their insights is that tumours – just like the patients...

Assistance Programmes in Medicine

The Digital Expert

Specialist computer programmes are being used increasingly to help doctors diagnose diseases and recommend treatments.

Modification of Germlines

An intervention in life itself?

When the genetic material of egg cells, sperm, their precursor cells or early-stage embryos is altered with the help of the tools of genetic engineering, scientists speak of germline interventions....

Insights and theories

Why do we age?

Never before have people lived as long as they do today. Medical ageing research deciphers what genes and lifestyle have to do with it. The aim is to develop therapies that will keep us healthy...

How Scientists Are Working to Stop the Ageing Process

Forever young?

Many people dream of staying young for as long as possible. A formula for eternal youth would no doubt fly off the shelves. We’d like to introduce you to a few scientists who are working on...

Lernen per Comic

Vom hustenden Bakterium zur molekularen Schere

Schnipp-Schnapp – Mit molekularen Scheren können einzelne Gene „ausgeschaltet“ oder repariert werden. Doch wie funktioniert das eigentlich? Erfahrt es im Klar-Soweit?-Comic!