The extremely complex interrelationships of organ functions contribute to the emergence of diseases. This insight opens up a still largely unexplored field for science. However, the assumption that some ailments that manifest themselves in a particular organ are influenced or triggered elsewhere in the body seems to be confirmed. Disturbances of a "set screw" on one organ can affect the smooth functioning of the complete mechanism.
Investigating aspects of organ crosstalk is a task that transcends the boundaries of individual disciplines. And it is precisely interdisciplinary research that the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) have set as their goal. Reason enough to dedicate an issue of SYNERGIE to this topic and to present current research highlights of the scientists. (https://dzg-magazin.de)
The topics are:
#DIABETES RESEARCH
Losing weight starts in the head
DZD studies aim to show how insulin sensitivity can be restored in the brain.
#CANCER RESEARCH
Microenvironment
A tumor's microenvironment can help or sabotage recovery. Researchers at the DKTK are looking for drugs that influence this.
#INFECTION RESEARCH
Welcome to Planet Gut
At the DZIF, ways are being explored to balance imbalances in the gut microbiome.
#NEURONAL RESEARCH
When the gut makes you forgetful
The discovery that people with Alzheimer's disease have an altered microbiome could influence the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
#LUNG RESEARCH
More than just a cough
The DZL aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COPD.
#CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
When a stroke damages the heart
Heart and brain influence each other - DZHK researchers want to better understand this special relationship.
#POST-COVID
Many questions, some hope
DZG researchers discuss findings on sequelae of COVID infection.
#NEWCOMER
Unique tissue samples - new approaches
A diabetes researcher and a tumor immunologist explore the link between type 2 diabetes and the immune system.
DZG Magazine SYNERGIE
Research for health – under this motto, the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) report twice a year on projects and achievements in translational research in the DZG magazine SYNERGIE. The magazine for health research shows how interdisciplinary and networked research can help people achieve better health. The magazine is published in a print and an online version (https://dzg-magazin.de).
The German Centers for Health Research (DZG)
The goal of the German Centers for Health Research is translational research: the accelerated development of medical innovations. On the initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, six centers were founded between 2009 and 2011 to better understand the causes of widespread diseases and to transfer research results from the laboratory to practice more quickly. The centers are dedicated to the following diseases: Cancer (DKTK), neurodegenerative diseases (DZNE), infectious diseases (DZIF), diabetes (DZD), lung diseases (DZL) and cardiovascular diseases (DZHK).
To this end, a total of 36 medical faculties and university hospitals work together with around 90 non-university institutes of the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association, the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society and departmental research institutes of the federal government. Furthermore, there are collaborations with scientists in Germany and internationally.