Research

Whether they are synthetic materials such as PET, medicines or flavourings, life without synthetically produced compounds is barely conceivable in our everyday lives. The chemical industry depends on efficient, long-term methods of producing synthetically derived molecules. For this purpose, chemists often use catalysts, i.e. additives with which they can facilitate and control chemical reactions.

Immune therapy is considered a milestone in the battle against metastasised malignant melanoma. However, these treatments do not work effectively for every patient. Prof. Dr. Lucie Heinzerling, attending physician at the Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, hopes that conducting a study will lead to new methods being developed for treating these patients.

Climate change is threatening species diversity, a new mass extinction may be approaching.

Women in Science: Fortunately, more and more women are finding their way into research and are also taking senior positions in research projects and institutions. Nevertheless, women who want to pursue a career in science still might face some hurdles. At FAU, women scientists and female students have recently set up a community – the SHEer Power community – to support and help other female students and researchers. We talked to some members of the SHEer Power community to find out more about this fascinating project.

Halmuthur M. Sampath Kumar obtained a PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, in the area of biomimetic chemistry. In 2000, he moved to the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology in Dortmund as Alexander von Humboldt Fellow to work in the area of nuclear localization and gene therapy. From May 2019 until July 2019, Prof. Dr. Kumar will research on new, gentler anti-cancer drugs at FAU.

Since 2016, Dr. Ezzat El-Sherif is Group Leader at the Division of Developmental Biology at FAU´s Department of Biology, where he works on gene regulation during embryonic development. In an interview, he gives an insight into his fascinating research at FAU.

Would singers know whether they are singing low or high notes, or singing loudly or quietly, even if they can’t hear their own voice? This is what FAU speech and language therapist Dr. Anke Ziethe is investigating in a new research project.

The Interdisciplinary Centre Gender – Difference – Diversity at FAU carries out research into the diversity of images people have of themselves and others.

‘Immuno-oncology has revolutionised cancer treatment,’ says Prof. Dr Lucie Heinzerling, attending physician at the Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. ‘However, we currently don’t know enough about the side effects of new cancer therapies and we are hoping to change this through a new online database.’

On 21 June 2019, a Proton M rocket will be launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome to transport the eROSITA X-ray telescope on board the SRG satellite into space. Know-how provided by a team of FAU researchers under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jörn Wilms is supporting the telescope’s mission.