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
Inside RUB – Information Day for Prospective Students
Immerse yourself in the world of medicine at Ruhr University Bochum! Experience firsthand how exciting and diverse studying medicine can be. From informative talks about the path to becoming a doctor to interactive workshops – your questions and interests take center stage throughout the program. Join us and start your journey into medicine!
Immunotherapy halves recurrence rate in certain forms of colorectal cancer
With significant involvement from Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the ATOMIC trial marks a breakthrough in the treatment of stage III dMMR colorectal cancer: combining standard adjuvant chemotherapy with the immunotherapy atezolizumab reduces the risk of recurrence or death by around 50% compared to chemotherapy alone. Coordinated by Prof. Anke Reinacher-Schick at St. Josef-Hospital, the study provides the first clear evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit of immunotherapy in the adjuvant setting for this molecularly defined patient group. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the findings establish a new standard of care and highlight the importance of international, biomarker-driven research collaborations.
BEAT THE BIAS: Recognize. Understand. Avoid.
Unconscious biases influence decision-making – including in medicine. The symposium “BEAT THE BIAS” at the Faculty of Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum aims to make these patterns visible and to open up new perspectives for patient care, leadership, and teaching. The program includes keynote lectures and interactive workshops that highlight key aspects of unconscious bias and provide practical insights
Promising drug candidate identified against hepatitis E
An international research team with significant involvement from Ruhr-Universität Bochum reports a promising advance in antiviral drug discovery: Bemnifosbuvir has been identified as the first nucleotide/nucleoside analogue to effectively inhibit replication of the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Given the approximately 70,000 HEV-related deaths each year and the lack of specific therapeutic options to date, this finding opens new perspectives for clinical treatment. The Bochum-based group in Molecular and Medical Virology played a central role in identifying the compound. Using an innovative reporter virus system, the researchers screened a library of around 500 compounds and successfully pinpointed candidates that suppress viral replication without compromising cell viability. The results were obtained in close collaboration with partners in Heidelberg and Beijing and published in the journal Gut.
ELTERNLUNCH – Digital Exchange Format for Employees with Care Responsibilities
Half past twelve in Bochum: time for a break, good food – and meaningful exchange. With the new digital format ELTERNLUNCH, the Faculty of Medicine invites all staff members with care responsibilities (including UK-RUB) to an open and confidential space for conversation. In a relaxed atmosphere, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of balancing work and family life: Which “recipes” work in everyday life? How can responsibilities be shared more effectively? And what do parents need to manage this balancing act sustainably? The series kicks off with the first session on April 20, 2026, at 12:30 pm. Further dates follow on May 11 and June 26, 2026 (each from 12:30 to 1:30 pm). ELTERNLUNCH is hosted by Nils Seiler – offering insights, food for thought, and a touch of humor.
Bochum detects sepsis
With the city-wide campaign #BochumRecognizesSepsis, healthcare stakeholders across Bochum are joining forces to promote greater awareness, vigilance, and early action when it comes to sepsis. Because sepsis can affect anyone – and it is always a medical emergency. Several events focusing on sepsis will take place in Bochum throughout March. These include a Science Slam at the Schauspielhaus Bochum, a reading by author Stephan Schäfer, an information event for healthcare professionals, and a hands-on activity where educational materials will be packed and distributed to medical practices and pharmacies.
Super microscope against leukemia
Researchers from the Medical Faculty at Ruhr University Bochum led by Prof. Dr. Huu Phuc Nguyen have clinically evaluated a high-resolution method for genetic analysis in leukemia. Using optical genome mapping, Dr. Marco Tembrink was able to detect structural genomic alterations with far higher resolution than conventional microscopy and identify a previously unknown genetic alteration. For this work, he received the 2026 doctoral thesis award of the German Society of Human Genetics.
Guideline published on the use of reserve antibiotics
Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Sören Gatermann from the Medical Faculty at Ruhr University Bochum have published a new clinical guideline for the treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. It supports hospital physicians in using reserve antibiotics in a targeted way—improving recovery chances for critically ill patients while preserving the effectiveness of these vital drugs.
A highly precise target for drugs against tropical diseases
Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Ralf Erdmann together with Dr. Chethan Krishna and Dr. Vishal Kalel from the Medical Faculty at Ruhr University Bochum have discovered a key vulnerability in parasites that cause tropical diseases such as sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. The protein PEX38 is essential for the parasites’ survival but is not present in humans. This makes it a promising target for the development of more precise and less toxic therapies.
New Player in Pulmonary Hypertension Discovered
Prof. Dr. Daniela Wenzel, Dr. Alexander Seidinger, and Dr. Michaela Matthey from the Chair of Systems Physiology at Ruhr University Bochum have identified Beta Arrestin 1 as a previously unsuspected player in pulmonary hypertension. The protein plays a key role in the transport of blood vessel–regulating signaling molecules and opens new perspectives for understanding the disease.
Experimental Surgery receives inaugural AIM3R Award
The Department of Experimental Surgery at Knappschaft Kliniken University Hospital Bochum has received the AIM3R Award, presented for the first time by the Medical Faculty of Ruhr University Bochum. The prize honors an innovative 3D test system based on human cells that enables precise evaluation of implant materials entirely without animal testing.
How damaged huntingtin proteins are degraded
The team led by Prof. Dr. Huu Phuc Nguyen at Ruhr University Bochum has identified key steps that control the degradation of the mutant huntingtin protein. The discovery of precise ubiquitin markings opens up new perspectives for potential therapeutic strategies against the currently incurable Huntington’s disease.