2020
2019
November 2019: COPD information evening – Patients and relatives engaged actively
To mark World-COPD Day on 20 November 2019, the Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital hosted its annual COPD-information event. It attracted about 40 COPD-patients and their relatives who were eager to learn more about the latest COPD-treatment options. Exhibition booths offered plenty of information material and medical experts talked about selected therapies and clinical trials. The audience engaged actively from the start, asked lots of questions and participated in short Yoga and breathing exercises, which brought the evening to a successful conclusion.
November 2019: Scientific publishing – it needs a plan and special skills – DZL early career scientists at the Nature Masterclasses Workshop in Berlin
From 4-5 November 2019 six selected early career scientists from the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) participated in the Nature Masterclasses Workshop on Scientific Writing and Publishing in Berlin to improve their writing skills and to gain insight into the successful publication process.
The workshop was organized by the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) and was the third of its kind. It was open to applications from young scientists of all six DZG. Thus, 36 successful candidates got the opportunity to meet the Chief Editors of “Nature Medicine” and “Nature Metabolism” face-to-face and learn first-hand how to writehigh-quality publications and how to publish them successfully in top-journals.
All six DZL participants were enthusiastic about the workshop and would highly recommend it to their colleagues. Dr. Natalia El-Merhie, postdoc at the Research Center Borstel, member of the Airway Research Center North, ARCN, summarised: “The workshop was very well structured and the content was excellent ¬– with short lectures, practical sessions, group discussions and the possibility of one-to-one interaction with the trainers.”
Dr. Christina Eichstaedt, scientist at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, member of the Center for Translational Lung Research (TLRC), is already very experienced in writing scientific publications. From participating, she hoped to become more efficient in writing and more successful with submissions to high ranking journals. She especially appreciated the advice that “by using simple modifications an abstract and the entire manuscript can turn into a much more interesting read and coherent engaging story.”
Agilo Kern, PhD student at the Hannover Medical School, member of the Biomedical Research in End-stage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH) is the first-author of four publications. Scientific writing skills are nowadays a central aspect of a successful scientific career. This applies to him as well as to all other young scientists – and the pressure to publish is huge. During the workshop he learned what counts when you want your paper to be published in high-ranking journals: “Editors look for papers with findings of broad interest. They should provide novel insights; change the understanding in a field or open doors to further research.”
Dr. Anna Brichkina, scientist at the Institute of Molecular Oncology, Philipps-University of Marburg, member of the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), was already able to apply her knowledge from the workshop: “Now I know how to write a good abstract and I already managed to improve three of my conference abstracts. I shortened and re-phrased them to become more appealing to the reader”.
On the second day of the workshop, the focus was on the editorial and review processes. Practical exercises allowed the participants to put themselves into the position of an editor or reviewer. Dr. Anne-Sophie Lamort, postdoc at the Comprehensive Pneumology Center-Munich (CPC-M), found it useful to learn what defines a good reviewer: “It was interesting to see the revision of a manuscript from the point of view of a reviewer. It helped us to have a better understanding of their comments and how to anticipate some questions by small modifications of our manuscript.”
Magdalena Szcygieł, PhD student at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), member of the TLRC Heidelberg, much appreciated the session on the editorial process and peer-review and was surprised to learn “that in about 30% of cases when a paper is rejected after revision, it is successful on appeal”
Also the very experienced group leader Prof. Dr. Silke Meiners from CPC-M appreciated the insiders’ view of the publication process in renowned Nature journals. “I realized how highly a coherent narrative and compelling reasoning ranks in the decision process for recommending a particular paper for publication. Also a well composed cover letter is a chance not to be missed to pitch your story to the editors.”
The next DZG workshop will take place in spring 2020 at the National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik) in Karlsruhe. Over two and a half days it will cover the basics of science communication and outreach.
Further information about the Nature Masterclasses Workshop on Scientific Writing and Publishing can be found under the following link: masterclasses.nature.com .
September 2019: DZL awarded prestigious Balzan Prize
The German Centre for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL) has been awarded the prestigious Balzan Prize, worth CHF 750.000. The International Balzan Prize Foundation promotes culture, the sciences and the most meritorious initiatives in the cause of humanity, peace and fraternity among peoples throughout the world.
The International Balzan Prize Foundation with headquarters at Corriere della Sera in Milan awards honors to scholars, scientists or artists, who have distinguished themselves in their fields of expertise on an international level. The four subject areas selected for honors change from year to year between literature, the humanities and social sciences, as well as the physical, mathematical and natural sciences and medicine. The aim of the Balzan Prize is to foster culture, the sciences and the most meritorious initiatives in the cause of humanity, peace and fraternity among peoples throughout the world, independent of nationality, ethnicity und Religion. The General Prize Committee composed of renowned experts decide on the winners from among the nominations entered by the world’s most important international cultural institutions – universities, research institutes and academies.
The names of the 2019 awardees were announced in Milan by the Chairman of the General Prize Committee, Luciano Maiani, and the Chairman of the Board of the International Balzan Foundation "Prize", Enrico Decleva. The awardees were introduced by renowned scientists of the General Prize Committee. The award ceremony will take place on 15 November, in Bern.
Peter Suter, Honorary Professor of Medicine at the University of Geneva and former President of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, introduced the award in the field “Pathophysiology of respiration: from basic sciences to the bedside”, which was conferred on members of the DZL board for outstanding achievements and innovative research that resulted in new therapies and improved quality of life of patients with lung diseases. Furthermore, the DZL has created “new enthusiasm and training opportunities for the next generation of scientists.”
Prof. Werner Seeger, Chairman and Speaker of the DZL commented: “This high distinction, won in a global competition, proves that German lung research has gained a high international reputation by establishing a national center for health research in this field.”
Prof. Klaus Rabe, DZL Board Member and director of the DZL site ARCN highlights: “This honor is of course attributed to DZL in its entirety and will surely motivate us to further advance this rather young research initiative. I am especially delighted that our clinical commitment and our dedication for young scientists were honored and supported.”
Prof. Erika von Mutius, DZL Board Member and Director of the DZL site COC-M in Munich, was very pleased about the high distinction the work of the DZL received. “This award is a tremendous motivation to our continuous efforts in pursuing excellent research that will benefit all our patients in order to help and find new therapies to improve the life of families affected by lung diseases.”
Prof. Tobias Welte, DZL Board Member and Director of the DZL site Hanover, summarizes: “As representative of all active scientists at DZL I feel exceptionally honored. This award proves that translational research – which transforms basic research findings into clinical application – is the right approach for medicine. Its successes are visible to patients and enthuse young people for medicine and the sciences.”
Prof. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor, Board Member of the DZL and Director of the DZL Heidelberg site TLRC emphasizes: “This prestigious award specifically honors our multidisciplinary collaboration in lung research, which shapes the unique profile of the DZL and continues to be a key driver for innovation and translation in the future.”
Further information:
https://www.dzl.de/aktuelles/news/dzl-mit-renommiertem-balzan-preis-ausgezeichnet
Text: DZL Central Picture: R. Wegst
2018
Lieber Herr Prof. Kauczor,
herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Ihrer Ernennung zum Direktor des TLRC, dem Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg. Das TLRC ist eines der fünf Zentren des Deutschen Zentrums für Lungenforschung (DZL), zu dessen Vorstand Sie nun auch gehören.
Offiziell haben Sie am 1. Februar die Aufgaben des Direktors von Herrn Professor Mall übernommen, der in Berlin die Professur für Pädiatrische Pneumologie und Immunologie an der Charité –Universitätsmedizin angetreten hat.
Freuen Sie sich auf Ihre neuen Aufgaben als Direktor des TLRC?
Ja natürlich! Das ist eine tolle Herausforderung und eine tolle Erweiterung dessen, was wir bisher im TLRC und im DZL gemacht haben.
Welche Aufgaben werden das sein?
Die Aufgaben teilen sich in verschiedene Bereiche auf. Zum einen auf die Lungenforschung am Universitätsklinikum mit dem Extra-Bereich der kommissarischen Leitung der Abteilung Translationale Pneumologie. Zum anderen auf die Partner am Standort Heidelberg, das DKFZ, die Thoraxklinik und das EMBL, die ich nun erst einmal alle an Bord holen und auf eine neue strategische Ausrichtung fokussieren möchte. Und dann gibt es den dritten Bereich, die Vertretung des TLRC im DZL, sowohl im Vorstand als auch im DZL allgemein.
February 2018: “Six days in Trieste”
Trieste, the home of Illy coffee, holds quite another attraction for Willi Wagner and Felix Wünnemann, two radiologists from Heidelberg: The Elettra Synchrotrone Facility. Both researchers pursue technological advances for the study of lung structure. The high-resolution synchrotone-based phase-contrast tomography offers new opportunities for further characterization of anatomical landmarks of healthy and diseased lungs.
The whirlwind visit to Trieste was highly successful in that proof-of-concept could be obtained, which may pave the way for a future of Synchrotron-based local area free propagation phase contrast CT in clinical application.
For the proof-of-concept experiments, Wagner and Wünnemann transported six porcine lungs ventilated by use of compressor from Heidelberg to Trieste mastering -15°C, snow drifts and the notorious Bora wind along the way.
In just six days and thanks to the excellent support of Dr. Giuliana Tromba and her team form SYRMEP Beamline, as well as the Radiology Department at Ospedale di Cattinara (CT-scans) and a very ambitious schedule of experiments could be accomplished, including the generation and imaging of artificial lung nodules.
The collaboration was initiated by Dr. Christian Dullin (Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen), who has a longstanding interest and exceptional expertise in propagation-based lung imaging.
Heidelberg complemented his expertise with the ARTIChest phantom, invented by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Biederer (Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg). Despite the tight schedule, sufficient data could be generated for a short communication and a full manuscript (both in preparation). All involved in this innovative project are looking forward to the next set of experiments on the way to clinical application. For Wünnemann and Wagner, time at the facility was so precious that there was no time to explore Trieste, but Illy coffee was a most welcome boost for managing those nightshifts channeling the beamline.
February 2018: Hans-Ulrich Kauczor joins the DZL Board of Directors
At the 7th DZL Annual Meeting, Prof. Werner Seeger, the Chairman of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), welcomed the Heidelberg scientist Prof. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor onto the DZL board of directors. He also thanked Prof. Marcus Mall, the outgoing member of the board of directors, for his long-standing commitment and contributions to the DZL. Marcus Mall accepted the call for the Einstein-Professorship at the Charité and was also appointed Professor of the Berlin Institute of Health.
Prof. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor, Medical Director of the Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Heidelberg University Hospital, has been a principal investigator and founding member of the DZL since its establishment in 2011. He coordinates the DZL Platform Imaging together with Prof. Heinz Fehrenbach and Prof. Matthias Ochs. In February 2018, Prof. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor was appointed the new director of the DZL site Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC). He will also be acting head of the Department of Translational Pulmonology at Heidelberg University Hospital until a successor for Marcus Mall has been appointed.
Marcus Mall is now medical director of the Clinic for Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, including intensive medicine and pediatric A&E at the Charité –Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. Based on an associated partnership of the DZL with BIH, Marcus Mall will continue his fruitful cooperation with the DZL as co-coordinator of the Disease Area Cystic Fibrosis.
2017
October 2017: Cystic Fibrosis: prevention of chronic lung infections
Chronic infections with the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa change the lung microbiome in CF-patients / Early detection and treatment of infections could prevent a deterioration in lung function / A close-up of the airway ecosystem / Publication in “European Respiratory Journal”
Contrary to previous assumptions the airways, including the lung, are not sterile but exhibit an ecologic niche for a variety of microorganisms similar to the known ecosystem of the bowel, though the composition of the airway microorganisms is still partly unknown. If the genetic material of all the microbes (= microbiome) in our lungs is in balance, we feel healthy. If, however, harmful microorganisms dominate, infections of the lung and reduced lung function ensues. The important question is what comes first? An out of balance microbiome that opens the door to pathogens or a causal chronic infection with specific bacteria that supersedes the normal microbiome? This fundamental question with regard to cystic fibrosis patients has now been solved by Prof. Alexander Dalpke, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene and Prof. Marcus A. Mall, Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at University Hospital Heidelberg. “Our findings show that changes in the microbiome are a consequence and not the cause of chronic infection with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa”, says Prof. Dalpke. Evidence of initial or regular detection of P. aeruginosa was obtained by repeated sampling of the airways of cystic fibrosis patients during quarterly routine check-ups and at times of hospitalization. The study received funding from the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and has recently been published in the “European Respiratory Journal”.
Microbiome characterization by genome sequencing
In patients suffering from the hereditary multi-organ disease cystic fibrosis the mucus in the airways is dehydrated and more viscous than in healthy humans. The clearance of such abnormally thick and sticky mucus by transport along the ciliated airway epithelium is impaired and offers a rich breeding ground for the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the culprit of infections that rapidly lead to a deterioration of lung function in cystic fibrosis patients. Traditionally, Pseudomonas infections are detected by cell culture methods. However, for this study the Heidelberg scientists sequenced the genes of the microorganisms (=microbiome) to assess the microorganism composition of airway samples. Using this approach it was possible to determine the microbiome from patients that were chronically, intermittently or never infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. “An initial infection treated aggressively with antibiotics could protect patients not only from a chronic infection but also prevent further unwanted changes in the microbiome”, explains Dalpke. Importantly, once a chronic Pseudomonas infection is established it can usually only be suppressed and not eliminated with antibiotics because the bacteria tend to hide behind a protective biofilm. “Children with cystic fibrosis remain Pseudomonas-free for longer after very early onset treatment and we found fewer changes in the microbiome”, summarized the microbiologist, Prof. Dalpke.
More than 100 types of bacteria can be found in the lung – what is their function?
n total, 392 airway samples from 71 patients were investigated. Thanks to the close cooperation with the Children’s Pulmonology Division of the University Hospital Heidelberg infants, for which data is rare, were also sampled. The results demonstrate that the microbiome can consist of more than 100 different types of bacteria, and the composition may vary significantly from patient to patient. It is still unclear whether the microorganisms of the upper airways that colonize the lung over the course of a lifetime may have a protective effect. Prof. Dalpke: “Potentially, microorganisms of the upper airways such as bacteria of the type Neisseria, Veillonella and Pretovella may be associated with a better lung function. This is currently hotly debated and subject to further research”.
Boutin S, Graeber SY, Stahl M, et al. Chronic but not intermittent infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with global changes of the lung microbiome in cystic fibrosis. Eur Respir J 2017; 0: 1701086 [https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01086-2017 ].
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Alexander Dalpke
Department für Infektiologie
Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene
Universität Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 324
69120 Heidelberg
E-Mail: Alexander.Dalpke@med.uni-heidelberg.de
September 2017: DZL researcher receives Chris Bolliger Award
Dr. Daniela Gompelmann, principal investigator at the Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC) received the Chris Bolliger Award for the impact of her outstanding article, titled ‘Pneumothorax following Endobronchial Valve Therapy and Its Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Severe Ephysema’. She was the first one to receive the award, which was presented to her at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Milan, Italy.
The Chris Bolliger Award is given to first authors of highly-cited scientific articles in the journal Respiration. It is dedicated to the late Chris Bolliger, a distinguished scientist in pulmonology and former Editor-in-Chief of Respiration.
September 2017: The newspaper ZEIT presents: DZL - a 5-year success story
In a special edition "World of Science: Cutting-Edge Research" the newspaper ZEIT reports on the five-year success story of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). Five research highlights provide insight into the current advancement in research for a wide range of lung diseases. The interdisciplinary approach to lung research for the benefit of patients is at the core of this research network, involving 28 leading German research insitutions and university hospitals. Professor Werner Seeger, chair of the DZL, is interviewed about the importance of lung research, the international visibility and his vision for the future of the DZL. Besides the print edition there is access to additional research highlights in the ZEIT ONLINE edition.
Link to ZEIT ONLINE (in German):
http://www.dzl.de/index.php/de/presse-und-events/news/363-zeit-praesentiert-5-jahre-erfolgsgeschichte-des-dzl
01.08.2017: From August 1st, Professor Dr. Hauke Winter will take up his new position as chief physician and head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg.
July 2017: German Council of Science and Humanities endorses the German Centers for Health Research as a promising modell for medical research
The modell German Centers for Health Research (Deutsche Zentrum für Gesundheitsforschung (DZG)) is well suited to closely connect all relevant national players on an institutional level as well as in terms of infrastructure and long-term perspective, to manage the translational process. This is the verdict of the German Council of Science and Humanities based on a recently published evaluation of this particular funding scheme. "The establishment of German Centers for Health Research provides valuable added value to the German resarch landscape" underlines the chairman of the Council of Science and Humanities, Professor Martina Brockmeier.
June 2017: How does pathological iron overload affect the lung?
Scientists from the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) developed an animal model of severe iron overload to investigate the mechanisms of pulmonary iron deposition and their effects on lung function. In this animal model the iron overload resulted in elevated lung rigidity and reduced lung capacity. This is of particular interest not only for patients with iron overload due to genetic disorders but also for patients with other chronic restrictive lung diseases that are frequently associated with alterations in pulmonary iron homeostasis. The finding that iron deposition in the lung may cause or increase the severity of lung disease rather than be a byproduct of lung disease will be further investigated.
This interdisciplinary project led by Professor Muckenthaler from the Department of Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology of the Heidelberg Children’s Hospital also involved the Department of Translational Pulmonology at Heidelberg University Hospital and scientists from the DZL sites Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover and Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center.
Press Release (in German)
Literature:
Neves J, Leitz D, Kraut S, Brandenberger C, Agrawal R, Weissmann N, Mühlfeld C, Mall MA, Altamura S, Muckenthaler MU. Disruption of the Hepcidin/Ferroportin Regulatory System Causes Pulmonary Iron Overload and Restrictive Lung Disease. EBioMedicine. 2017 Apr 29. pii: S2352-3964(17)30191-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.04.036. [Epub ahead of print]
May 2017: The Eurpoean Respiratory Society (ERS) elects Professor Marcus Mall as Fellow of ERS (FERS)
The Fellow of ERS award recognises excellence in contributions to research, education and clinical leadership in respiratory medicine from amongst the ERS membership.
The award brings together members who have excelled in their field to form an elite advisory board that will be called upon by the society on various matters in future years.
The 2017 reception for new Fellows of ERS will take place during the ERS Congress in Milan, in September.
May 2017: The DZL celebrates its 5th Anniversary in the Heidelberg Old Town
On the occasion of its 5th anniversary, the public was invited to visit the DZL stall right in the middle of Heidelberg's historic city center. Information leaflets about reseach successes, a lung quiz and a mobile unit offering lung function tests free of charge attracted young and old passers-by.
Read more ... (in German)
February 2017: 15th Symposium of the Cystic Fibrosis Center Heidelberg
The 15th Symposium of the Cystic Fibrosis Center Heidelberg focused on new therapies for the treatment of the CF basic defect and the treatment of diabetes in CF patients. Over 180 patients, next of kin and care professionals attended the symposium.
Read more ... (Press Release in German)
Video Clips der Vorträge (in German)