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Lecture series "One hour of cutting-edge research" with Freiburg members of the renowned Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences starts again / In-depth insights into top-class research and opportunity to ask questions

In the current situation, it is a central voice of science: the Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences is the world's oldest permanently existing academy of natural sciences. After a corona break, the lecture series "One Hour of Cutting-Edge Research" of the University of Freiburg and the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg is now starting again, in which Leopoldina members give insights into their research. Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme, Medical Director of the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, will kick off 2021 with a lecture on "From hepatitis to corona - how the immune system fights virus-infected cells". In his lecture, he will provide insights into research into viral infections and their immune responses. Among other things, he will explain how hepatitis research can contribute to combating the coronavirus pandemic. The lecture will be livestreamed on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 6.30 pm on the website www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/1hspitzenforschung will be broadcast. There will be an opportunity for questions after the 40-minute lecture.

The topics of the entire series of events range from anxiety disorders to new research approaches in atrial fibrillation and the latest therapeutic approaches in cancer. The series of events, which is supported by the Leopoldina, is aimed at an audience with a general interest in current research issues, as well as students and scientists. Prof. Dr. Norbert Südkamp, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg, will moderate the event.

Immune memory as a central element of virus defense

Only recently, a team led by Thimme was able to show in an internationally acclaimed study that immune cells are formed after a cured Sars-CoV-2 infection that are retained in the body. They could mediate a rapid immune response in the event of a new infection. It is crucial that already infected cells are destroyed quickly and effectively. Thimme has been researching for more than 20 years how the body forms such an immune memory and what other possibilities it has to destroy virus-infected cells, particularly using the example of hepatitis viruses. He has also developed new approaches for a possible hepatitis C vaccination.

Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme

Thimme (50) studied human medicine both in his home town of Berlin and in Freiburg. The specialist in internal medicine, gastroenterology and endocrinology has been Medical Director of the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg since 2015. Among other things, he set up the Gerok Liver Center and the Interdisciplinary Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit there. His clinical focus is on the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the liver and digestive organs. Thimme is also intensively involved in promoting the next generation of research physicians. He has been a member of the Leopoldina since 2020.

Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1652, the Leopoldina has around 1,600 members from all over the world, including eight scientists from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. Its mission is to promote science through national and international cooperation and to provide science-based advice to the public and politicians. It has been under the patronage of the Federal President since 2008.

Further dates for "One hour of cutting-edge research":

• February 10, 2021, 6.30 p.m.
  Prof. Dr. Ursula Ravens,Section Head at the Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine
  New research approaches to atrial fibrillation

• March 10, 2021, 6.30 p.m.
  Prof. Dr. Leena Bruckner-Tuderman, Medical Director of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology
  Rare skin diseases - challenges and therapy perspectives

• May 5, 2021, 6.30 p.m.
  Prof. Dr. Stephan Ehl, Medical Director of the Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency
  Benefits and harms of the immune system - a delicate balance

• 9 June 2021, 6.30 pm
  Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Katharina Domschke, Medical Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
  Epigenetics - the interface between risk and resilience in mental illnesses

• 7 July 2021, 6.30 p.m.
  Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer, Medical Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  Hereditary predisposition as a risk factor for leukemia

All lectures will be broadcast on the website www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/1hspitzenforschung.

Image rights: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Contact
Johannes Faber
Press and Public Relations Officer
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-84610
johannes.faber@uniklinik-freiburg.de