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Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer is investigating why people develop leukaemia and what role genes play in its development, diagnosis and treatment / In an online lecture on July 7, she will provide insights into her research

Leukemia is one of the most common forms of cancer in children. However, the reason why a person suddenly falls ill with leukemia is largely unknown. Leukemias are not hereditary in the strict sense, but familial clusters of leukemias also suggest genetic defects as a cause. Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer, Medical Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, and her team have made a significant contribution to discovering and describing congenital predispositions, establishing molecular diagnostics and developing therapy concepts. On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., she will give insights into her research and its significance for the treatment of patients in the online lecture series "Hereditary predisposition as a risk factor for leukemia" in the series "One hour of cutting-edge research".

The livestream of the lecture will be broadcast at www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/1hspitzenforschung. There will be an opportunity for questions after the 40-minute lecture. The event is free of charge and registration is not necessary.

"The genetic markers are essential for an exact diagnosis and also enable personalized therapy, be it with medication or a stem cell transplant," says Niemeyer. In addition, family members of those affected can be specifically examined as part of early detection. "The long-term goal of our research must be to understand the development of genetic forms of leukemia in such a way that we can prevent the onset of the disease in affected individuals," explains Niemeyer.

Personal details:
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer studied medicine in Kiel, Nottingham (Great Britain) and Freiburg. After completing her doctorate in Freiburg and working in Kiel, Boston (USA) and Hanover, she joined the Medical Center - University of Freiburg in 1990. She has been Medical Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology since 2002 and has also been Spokesperson for the Center for Pediatrics and Oncology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg since 2012. Niemeyer plays a leading role in several national and international research networks and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF. In 2010, Niemeyer was appointed to the National Academy of Sciences - Leopoldina, in 2012 she received the German Cancer Prize and in 2018 the Jean Bernard Life Science Award of the European Hematology Association

The lecture series:

The lecture is part of the "One Hour of Cutting-Edge Research" series organized by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg, in which Freiburg members of the German National Academy of Sciences - Leopoldina give a broad audience insights into their research. The series is supported by the Leopoldina.

Caption: Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Niemeyer
Medical Director
Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-45060