News & Events

Outstanding female researchers, pioneers in their fields, have shaped and continue to shape Berlin. An exhibition in Berlin City Hall (Rotes Rathaus), the seat of the Berlin Mayor, is now dedicated to these women and their achievements. Among them are two female scientists who worked in Berlin-Buch.

When cells make the wrong decision, diseases ensue. This insight came from Berlin – namely from Rudolf Virchow, whose 200th birthday is being celebrated this year. To mark the anniversary, Berlin research institutions have announced the founding of the Berlin Cell Hospital. The MDC occupies a leading role in the project.

Virchow 2.0, the only finalist from Berlin to make it to the second round of the BMBF’s Clusters4Future competition, is entering the conception phase. At a kick-off meeting on September 27, 2021, participants from the scientific, clinical, and business communities offered a preview of their cluster strategy.

MDC PhD student Matthias Jürgen Schmitt is being honored with the Curt Meyer Memorial Prize of the Berlin Cancer Society for his achievements in cancer research. He employs molecular reporters to investigate how glioblastoma – the deadliest brain tumor of all – becomes resistant to therapies.

Nikolaus Rajewsky wants to be able to detect diseases as they develop in the cells and fight them before they begin to cause damage. The systems biologist is establishing networks at all levels to help cell-based medicine achieve a breakthrough in Berlin and across Europe.

The MDC has joined six other biomedical research institutes to nurture Europe’s next generation of physician-scientists. “Emerald”, the first European-wide PhD program for medical doctors will provide state-of-the-art training and help to bridge the gap between lab research and clinical practice.

When it comes to making contracts or sharing research results, the Legal Department is there to make things run smoothly. Kirstin Bodensiek, the department’s head, explains in an interview why communication is the be-all and end-all in her job and what it all has to do with volleyball.

Victoria Malchin, Technical Assistant, has been working at MDC since 2007. As location manager, she is responsible for the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology. She serves on the Anti-Harassment Task Force, the Pandemic Crisis Staff and is a TA stakeholder. Her tip: a book about women and power.

Studies at the MDC and the BIH have revealed that the liver, gallbladder and pancreas arise from a common pool of progenitor cells and that the supply of cells from this pool is inexhaustible. These findings may contribute to the development of new regenerative therapies, the researchers write in the journal “Nature”.