Experimental medicine
Experimental medicine
The competence area of Experimental Medicine in PRODI is divided into the following areas
- Experimental Pathology: Prof. Dr. med. A. Tannapfel
- Experimental Oncology: Prof. Dr. med. A. Reinacher-Schick
- Experimental Neurology: Prof. Dr. med. R. Gold
Biochemists, biophysicists, pathologists and physicians from the hospitals of the RUB University Hospital work together on an interdisciplinary basis. The centre is open to scientifically active colleagues from all clinics and institutes of the University Alliance Ruhr.
The aim of PRODI is to combine comprehensive and innovative molecular analyses with artificial intelligence and data analysis into clinically applicable algorithms. This can only succeed in interdisciplinary cooperation and with the involvement of experienced clinically active physicians and pathologists.
In particular, preliminary work has established the new spatially resolving marker-free digital pathology and combined it with molecularly resolving proteome analysis. The proof of concept has been published in high-profile international journals in recent years (1).
In addition to experimental oncology, pathology and experimental neurology, biophysics (Prof. K. Gerwert), proteomics (Prof. K. Marcus) and bioinformatics (Prof. A. Mosig) work closely together in PRODI. Currently, the clinical and molecular register Colopredict Plus 2.0 is being analysed using spectroscopy. The technique and the procedure can now be validated for the first time on a prospective and well-controlled patient collective of over 1,000 patients. In this way, novel biomarkers for prognosis and therapy prediction (so-called “classifiers”) are to be identified.
Of particular interest are the phenotypic protein changes that precede a manifest disease. In addition, however, the genetic changes are to be determined, which make it possible to estimate the basic risk of actually contracting the disease in the future.
The planned projects are regularly evaluated by a top-class, externally staffed advisory board.
General information
Experimental medicine is concerned with basic biomedical research (cell experiments, biochemical, genetic and physiological investigations, gene sequencing), and also with linking these findings to knowledge about the characteristics of a disease or its manifestation in humans.
Basic research also includes the (further) development of analytical and imaging procedures as well as the development of biostatistical test procedures, statistical modelling and prognosis and automated disease diagnosis procedures.
Medical procedures (this includes, among others, testing procedures and therapies) are considered experimental or under investigation until scientific proof (evidence) of (superior) efficacy, safety and security has been publicly provided.
In order to generate a high level of evidence, strict guidelines must be adhered to in so-called clinical trials. In addition, all clinical trials must be reported to and approved by an ethics committee.
The aim of research is to use the improved knowledge of disease characteristics and development within the framework of precision medicine and to provide patients with the most individual and “tailor-made” treatment possible.
- Experimental pathology
- Experimental oncology
- Experimental neurology
Footnotes
Angela Kallenbach-Thieltges, Frederik Großerueschkamp, Hendrik Jütte, Claus Kuepper, Anke Reinacher-Schick, Andrea Tannapfel, Klaus Gerwert: Label-free, automated classification of microsatellite status in colorectal cancer by infrared imaging, in: Scientific Reports, 2020, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67052-z)