Within the framework of the GO-Bio initial programme innovative project ideas have already been realized successfully:
Acute renal failure (ARF) is a very common condition that affects around 5-20% of all hospitalized patients in Europe and worldwide and is associated with a high mortality rate. ARF can not only lead to serious complications in the short term, but also significantly increase the risk of long-term kidney dysfunction. A reliable diagnosis of ARF as early as possible is therefore a crucial prerequisite for effective treatment and the prevention of acute and long-term damage.
Parasitic infections lead to an increase in the immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration in the blood of affected individuals in a similar way to type I allergies. A so-called “parasite hypothesis” states that this IgE provides important protection against parasites and that the development of allergen-specific IgE in the context of allergies to environmental allergens (e.g. tree and grass pollen) or food allergies is a misdirected, archetypal anti-parasitic immune response without a recognizable protective function.
The Ebola virus causes a highly infectious and life-threatening disease with mortality rates of up to 90%, which has led to serious outbreaks in various parts of Africa in the past. Due to increasing globalization, growing tourism and the increasing use of natural habitats of intermediate hosts by humans, increasing numbers of infections and cases of infection also in Europe are to be expected in the future.
Amplification-based detection methods at DNA level such as PCR and isothermal alternatives such as RPA are sensitive, specific and can be established quickly, but are susceptible by the carryover of amplicons from previous reactions. PCR also requires a precise sequence of different temperature steps and therefore an appropriate equipment and trained personnel. Outside of a laboratory environment, these two methods are therefore almost impossible to use.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, operations for an artificial joint replacement of the hip (hip endoprosthesis) were one of the seven most common procedures in Germany in 2022. When a cementless endoprosthesis is implanted, it is hammered into the minimally prepared medullary cavity so that it can clamp mechanically. An experienced surgeon can estimate the moment of the best possible stability to guarantee an optimal fit of the implant without damaging the bone simply by the sound of the implantation impact.
One of the greatest challenges for the development of effective drugs that transport the active ingredient(s) to the desired location in the body in the right quantity and at the right time is their absorption capacity and thus their water solubility at the site of absorption.
Antibiotics are undisputedly one of the greatest achievements of medicine. Unfortunately, many gram-negative pathogens have already developed resistance to most antibiotics, and in some cases to all antibiotics in clinical use.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies, which is fatal in most cases if left untreated. It is endemic in about 60 countries and is spreading further north in the course of climatic changes and the associated spread of mosquitoes from tropical and subtropical areas. Infected dogs also represent a large reservoir of the pathogen.