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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
A major success for the University of Duisburg-Essen: the German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing Collaborative Research Centre 1752 “DYNAMO”. From 1 October 2026, it will provide €12.9 million in funding for research aimed at improving therapies for malignant melanoma. The research consortium is coordinated by researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen together with partner institutions from across North Rhine-Westphalia*.
Researchers at the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) “DYNAMO” are investigating how melanoma tumours respond and adapt to treatments in the first weeks of therapy. It is often apparent in this early phase whether treatments will become ineffective in the long term. This is due to the resistance of individual cancer cells to therapy. This is precisely where the CRC research teams are intervening.
“The DFG’s decision to fund the Collaborative Research Centre ‘DYNAMO’ strengthens the research profile of the University of Duisburg-Essen and, in particular, our focus on Biomedical Sciences. At the same time, the CRC combines technology-driven basic research with strong clinical relevance – an important prerequisite for translating new findings into better therapies more quickly,” emphasises Professor Astrid Westendorf, Vice-Rector for Research and Early-Career Researchers.
“We want to initiate a shift: away from reacting, and towards earlier intervention,” says CRC spokesperson and dermato-oncologist Prof. Dr. Alexander Roesch. “Our new Collaborative Research Centre strengthens cancer research in North Rhine-Westphalia and accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries more quickly into clinical practice.”
CRC project groups analyse what happens in tumours immediately after therapy begins. Samples from patients are jointly examined by physicians, cancer researchers and immunologists. They record even the slightest molecular changes and compile the data. This is complemented by computer-based analyses using complex computational models. “This creates a comprehensive early-stage picture that was previously missing,” emphasises Professor Roesch, a skin cancer expert.
The aim of the research is to be able to predict and influence the dynamic adaptive behaviour of melanoma cells in the future. As a result, therapies should be more effective for longer and relapses should be prevented. Ideally, the findings will also pave the way for improved treatment of other types of cancer.
* The University of Duisburg-Essen is coordinating the research consortium. Partners include the Institute for Experimental Oncology at the University of Bonn and the Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences – ISAS – e. V. in Dortmund.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Roesch, Deputy Director of the Department and Outpatient Clinic for Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology at University Hospital Essen,
alexander.roesch@uk-essen.de
Editorial Department:
Martin Rolshoven, Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen,
martin.rolshoven@uk-essen.de, Tel. 0201/723-6274
Scientists of CRC 1754 in Essen
Copyright: Dr. Nora Mitdank
CRC spokesperson and dermato-oncologist Prof. Dr. Alexander Roesch
Copyright: UK Essen, Martin Kaiser
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
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Biologie, Medizin
überregional
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Scientists of CRC 1754 in Essen
Copyright: Dr. Nora Mitdank
CRC spokesperson and dermato-oncologist Prof. Dr. Alexander Roesch
Copyright: UK Essen, Martin Kaiser
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