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
Stay Healthy – Prevent Actively – Act Together
On November 20, 2025, the Ruhr University Bochum campus will be all about health: At the Prevention Day 2025, experts from university medicine will offer practical tips on how to prevent diseases. From heart health and nutrition to mental well-being, students and staff are invited to learn, engage, and take proactive steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
[Translate to English:] Michael Nauck, Head of Clinical Diabetes Research at St. Josef-Hospital, is among the world’s most highly cited researchers
Prof. Dr. Michael Nauck, Head of Clinical Diabetes Research at St. Josef-Hospital and part of the Ruhr University Bochum, has been named one of the world’s most highly cited researchers in 2025. His groundbreaking work places him among the top five Bochum-based scientists recognized for shaping their fields through influential publications. This prestigious recognition underscores his significant contribution to diabetes research and the global scientific community.
Focus on Research Funding – FoRUM Conference at Marien Hospital Herne
On November 12, 2025, Marien Hospital Herne hosted the prestigious FoRUM Conference of the Medical Faculty at Ruhr University Bochum. With inspiring talks on neurology, diversity medicine, and translational research—including a keynote by Dr. Evelyna Derhovanessian from BioNTech—the event offered groundbreaking insights into the future of medicine. A highlight: the presentation of innovative research findings and award ceremonies.
Citizenship: Individual Responsibility for Democracy. Lecture Series by the Faculties of the G-Group at Ruhr University Bochum
How is our democracy doing – and what responsibility does each individual bear for it? From November 2025 to January 2026, the Faculties of the G-Group at Ruhr University Bochum invite you to an interdisciplinary lecture series that places current questions of democratic education, participation, and responsibility at its center.
Newly Discovered Host Mechanism in Coronaviruses
A research team at Ruhr University Bochum has uncovered a previously unknown mechanism crucial for coronavirus replication. During infection, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated and regulates the phosphorylation of a key viral protein. These findings provide promising new avenues for the development of antiviral strategies.
Secrets Between Light and the Liver
When life falls out of rhythm: Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum reveal how artificial light and irregular sleep patterns disrupt our internal clock — increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. Particularly at risk: shift workers, night owls, and those who can’t escape the glow of modern lighting. A dedicated research team is uncovering the intricate connections between light, melatonin, and liver health.
Goodbye, Glasses
A future without glasses? Researchers and industry partners are working on a breakthrough laser treatment that corrects vision without cutting into the eye. By subtly altering the cornea’s refractive properties using low-energy laser pulses, the innovative method could one day replace invasive procedures — offering clearer sight and greater comfort for millions, from young adults to aging eyes.
New Genetic Cause of Microcephaly Discovered
How small can a brain be? Researchers uncover how mutations in a key RNA-degrading enzyme, EXOSC10, disrupt brain development, leading to microcephaly — a condition marked by severely reduced brain size. Their discovery sheds new light on the genetic roots of this rare disorder and opens doors to understanding how brain structure is controlled at the molecular level.
Prof. Dr. Michael Adamzik Elected Chair of the German Sepsis Society
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Michael Adamzik, Director of the Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Therapy at Knappschaft Kliniken Universitätsklinikum Bochum, has been elected Chair of the German Sepsis Society (DSG). Under his leadership, the DSG aims to advance sepsis research, raise public awareness, and support young scientists — working to reduce the high mortality of this often-overlooked condition through prevention, precision medicine, and innovative AI-based prediction models.
When Machines Learn to Feel
A groundbreaking interface links heartbeats with AI. Researchers have developed a system enabling large language models to receive and interpret real-time heart rate data. By “listening” to the body’s signals, the AI can adapt its responses beyond spoken prompts — paving the way for new applications in healthcare, medical monitoring, and personalized care.
Wolff Schmiegel honored by the German Cancer Society
On the occasion of its anniversary, the German Cancer Society awarded the Ernst von Leyden Prize for the first time. The inaugural recipient is Prof. Dr. Wolff Schmiegel, emeritus director of Gastroenterology/Hepatology at UK Bergmannsheil. Schmiegel is regarded as a pioneer of evidence-based cancer therapy, and through his commitment he has significantly shaped guidelines, certifications, and the structures of modern oncology in Germany.
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.