Welcome to NGFN

The program of medical genome research is a large-scale biomedical research project which extends the national genome research net (NGFN) and will be funded by the federal ministry of education and research (BMBF) from 2008-2013. Currently the program includes two fields:

NGFN-Plus: With the aim on combating diseases that are central to health policy, several hundred researchers are systematically investigating the complex molecular interactions of the human body. They are organized in 26 Integrated Genome Research Networks.
NGFN-Transfer: The rapid transfer of results from medical genome research into medical and industrial application is the aim of the scientists from research institutes and biomedical enterprises that cooperate in eight Innovation Alliances.
NEWS
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Breast cancer cells get thwarted by miRNAs

Small regulating micro-RNAs of the miR-200 family are often down regulated during tumor growth. NGFN-scientists could recently show for the first time that this miRNA family can be divided into two clusters. Both have different effects on invasion and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and might be potential targets for future therapies.
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New insight into the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease

NGFN-scientists of the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research showed for the first time, that and how the removal of damaged mitochondria is directed by the two proteins PINK1 and Parkin. A defect in this removal mechanism might be crucial for the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. more
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Genome-wide association studies – a research approach with guaranty for success

In Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) human geneticists identify disease-associated genes and their variants that contribute to an increasing risk of developing a disease. With this approach NGFN scientists identified nine new gene variants, which predispose for changes in the heart rhythm. This knowledge might provide insights into atrial disease and lead to new opportunities for atrial fibrillation prevention and therapy. more