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
Alzheimer Biomarker P-tau217 shows Early Limitations
The biomarker p-tau217 is considered promising for early Alzheimer’s detection but shows surprisingly weak performance in preclinical stages. The study led by Prof. Dr. Gerwert challenges current assumptions and may influence the development of future diagnostic approaches.
Muscle Organoids Offer New Insights into Muscle Diseases
Researchers in Bochum are developing muscle organoids that closely mimic human muscle tissue. This approach opens new ways to study diseases and test therapies more precisely, marking an important step toward personalized medicine.
Hepatitis E Viruses Evolve Early During Infection
Researchers show that hepatitis E viruses undergo genetic changes early in infection. These adaptations may affect how the virus spreads in the body and evades the immune system, offering important clues for developing new therapies.
New Recommendations for Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome
A new international guideline aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome. It brings together current evidence and provides recommendations to support better care for people affected by the rare disorder.
Researching Bone and Implants in Chip Models
A research team at Ruhr University Bochum is developing 3D-printed chips to study the interaction between bone cells and implant materials under realistic conditions. The method is expected to provide new insights for longer-lasting implants while also helping to reduce the use of animal experiments.
When websites become automatically irresistible
Why does the internet exert such a powerful pull on some people? An international study involving Prof. Dr. Martin Diers from Ruhr University Bochum shows that individuals with problematic internet use respond much more strongly to addiction-related cues—often unconsciously. The findings provide important insights into identifying at-risk groups and developing new training approaches to help people better manage digital temptations.
What underlies inherited cardiac arrhythmias
An international research team, including scientists from Ruhr University Bochum, has uncovered novel pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Short QT Syndrome. The study focuses on mutations in the SLC4A3 gene, demonstrating that they elevate intracellular pH, thereby altering ion currents and shortening action potential duration. These changes promote arrhythmogenesis while also revealing potential targets for personalized therapeutic strategies using established antiarrhythmic drugs. Published in the European Heart Journal, the findings significantly advance the molecular understanding of this rare yet life-threatening condition.
CRISPR system inhibits hepatitis E virus
A team at Ruhr-Universität Bochum demonstrates how cutting-edge CRISPR technology can be used to specifically inhibit the hepatitis E virus: In cell culture, an RNA-targeting CRISPR/Cas13d system significantly reduced viral replication without harming host cells. Particularly relevant for medical research, only a small number of carefully designed crRNAs were sufficient to cover a broad range of viral variants. Published in JHEP Reports, these findings provide a promising proof of concept for CRISPR-based antiviral therapies—an approach that could ultimately open new treatment options for viral infections like hepatitis E, which currently lack effective targeted therapies.