News from the Faculty of Medicine in Bochum
Here you will find the latest news and press releases from the Faculty of Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum.
For older press releases, please take a look at our archive. Do you have questions about our faculty or would you like to report on us? Here you will find our press contact.
News
With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to Prof. Dr. med. Wolfgang Opferkuch (April 20, 1932 – September 2, 2025)
As an internationally renowned microbiologist and twice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum, he shaped the faculty, the “Bochum Model,” and entire generations of researchers. Through his work on antibiotic resistance, the complement system, and Helicobacter pylori, he set standards far beyond Bochum. His legacy endures—along with the lasting marks he left through his passion and vision.
Guideline on Respiratory Infections in Blood Cancer Patients Updated
A new European guideline provides well-founded answers to pressing questions regarding the management of respiratory infections in patients with blood cancer. Based on insights from a decade of research, it offers a comprehensive overview of risk assessment, diagnostics, hygiene measures, treatment, and vaccination strategies – published in the renowned journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Individuals with leukemia and related conditions are particularly vulnerable, as their immune systems are weakened by both the disease and its treatment. For the first time, the updated recommendations systematically evaluate all relevant viruses that can cause community-acquired respiratory tract infections. The goal is to give clinicians clear guidance in everyday practice and to improve protection for those affected. Lead author of the guideline is Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal from Ruhr University Bochum, who played a key role in the European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL).
Use immunotherapy for anti-IgLON5 disease as early as possible
Around four million people in Germany have survived cancer, yet many face lasting physical and emotional challenges after their treatment ends. Afagh Hassani, a cancer survivor and human genetics specialist at Ruhr University Bochum, knows this struggle firsthand. To bridge the gap in post-cancer care, she co-founded AfterBattle—a holistic app designed to support survivors with tailored nutrition advice, mindfulness exercises, and cutting-edge epigenetic tools. Recently recognized as one of the top three start-ups at Ruhr University Bochum’s WORLDFACTORY Demo Days 2025, AfterBattle offers cancer survivors a trusted, easy-to-use digital companion to navigate life after cancer—and never feel alone.
A new approach to combating bronchial constriction caused by asthma
A research team from Bochum and Bonn has discovered a compound derived from coralberry that directly inhibits a key protein in bronchial tissue. This reduces the feared thickening of the airways—known as remodeling—and also decreases mucus production. The findings open up promising new prospects for treating asthma bronchiale, where conventional medications often reach their limits.
Making cat videos for science
Attention, cat lovers: An international research team led by Ruhr University Bochum aims to better understand feline body language – and is calling on the public for help. Anyone who owns a cat can contribute to science by submitting simple smartphone videos. The researchers are looking for short clips showing everyday cat behavior, such as greeting, sleeping, or playing. The goal is to analyze typical behavior patterns and gain new insights into communication between humans and cats.
Dying tumor cells turn metastases into targets
A research team at Ruhr University Bochum has developed an innovative drug complex that selectively kills cancer cells while alerting the immune system. At the moment of their death, the cancer cells emit a warning signal that enables immune cells to recognize and eliminate similar cancer cells throughout the body – including distant metastases. The findings could represent an important step toward long-lasting and effective cancer therapies.
Thorsten Derlin will now lead Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Since July 1, 2025, Prof. Dr. Thorsten Derlin has been leading the Institute for Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Molecular Imaging at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) in Bad Oeynhausen. The appointment, finalized with the contract signing on May 15, marks the conclusion of a joint recruitment process by Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Bielefeld. Derlin is supported by an experienced, interdisciplinary team and is responsible for state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to diagnostics in the field of cardiology and thoracic imaging, the institute operates its own radiopharmaceutical production, supplying both the clinic and nuclear medicine practices and hospitals within a 250-kilometer radius.
The Forgotten Phase of Healing
Around four million people in Germany have survived cancer, yet many face lasting physical and emotional challenges after their treatment ends. Afagh Hassani, a cancer survivor and human genetics specialist at Ruhr University Bochum, knows this struggle firsthand. To bridge the gap in post-cancer care, she co-founded AfterBattle—a holistic app designed to support survivors with tailored nutrition advice, mindfulness exercises, and cutting-edge epigenetic tools. Recently recognized as one of the top three start-ups at Ruhr University Bochum’s WORLDFACTORY Demo Days 2025, AfterBattle offers cancer survivors a trusted, easy-to-use digital companion to navigate life after cancer—and never feel alone.
Election results of the student committee elections
The elections for the Faculty Council and the Senate for the student group took place from June 23 to June 25. The election results are now available. The elected members and deputies will be in office for a one-year term from the winter semester 2025/2026 until the summer semester 2026.
A virus off track
A research team from Ruhr University Bochum and the TWINCORE Centre in Hannover has shown that the hepatitis E virus can replicate not only in the liver but also in kidney cells – where it may even evade antiviral therapies. The study suggests that the kidney could serve as a reservoir for the virus, posing new challenges for the treatment of chronic infections.
How aortic valve stenosis develops
Aortic valve stenosis is one of the most common heart valve diseases in older adults – yet its underlying causes remain poorly understood. A research team from Bochum and Bonn now shows that the endothelium lining the valve plays a central role in the disease process. Moreover, whether the valve has two or three leaflets significantly influences how and where calcification develops. The findings could open up new avenues for early therapeutic intervention.
Severe nerve disease successfully treated with CAR-T cell therapy
A medical team from Bochum has successfully applied CAR-T cell therapy for the first time to treat a rare autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system. Patient-derived immune cells were genetically engineered to specifically recognize and eliminate pathological B cells—resulting in impressive improvements within just a few days. This world’s first clinical study of its kind opens new avenues for treating hard-to-treat neurological disorders and demonstrates how precision medicine can offer life-changing hope.