Research

Scientists from the Division of Genetics at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in collaboration with Universitätsklinikum Erlangen have made a breakthrough discovery in cancer research.

Heavy cloud, overcast in some places and strong gusts are to be expected. If there was a weather forecast for distant galaxies, it would sound quite similar – especially for the centre of the galaxies where black holes consume all surrounding matter with an insatiable hunger.

Two international graduate schools funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria will make a significant contribution to medical research. Young researchers are developing state-of-the-art drugs for disrupting communication between cells and examining methods of cancer treatment which strengthen the immune system.

Regenerative forms of heat supply are on the rise. Apart from solar heat and wood pellet systems, new buildings are mostly equipped with ground heat collectors combined with heat pumps. However, it is difficult to dimension such systems exactly.

METARTHROS, an interdisciplinary research consortium funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research and led by Prof. Dr. Georg Schett focuses on the connections between musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Due to its causes, there is currently no treatment for hereditary spastic paraplegia. The Junior Research Group III of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research has taken an important step towards changing this with the help of a Thom Wahlig Foundation scholarship for hereditary spastic paraplegia.

In science fiction films, they are already taking over the world from humans – in the reality of the 21st century, they could at least come as far as being useful helpers: humanoid robots are expected to conquer more and more aspects of daily life and to take over tasks for humans.

What makes football fans loyal to their club and how do they see the increasing globalisation of the football industry? Daniel Maderer of FAU's Department of International Management examines this in his latest study. The first results have been published recently.

Degenerate B-cells, so-called malignant lymphomas, are the chameleons among the body's cells. They can change their appearance and turn into other cell types known as macrophages or phagocytes. This sounds fascinating, but it can become a big disadvantage for patients.

How did black holes form and how did they shape the universe? How did large structures form from regular matter as we see it today?