Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology
| Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology |
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|---|---|
 Location in Leipzig |
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| Category: | research Institute |
| Carrier: | Fraunhofer Society |
| Legal form of the carrier: | Registered association |
| Seat of the wearer: | Munich |
| Membership: | Life Sciences Association |
| Facility location: | Leipzig (Perlickstrasse 1) |
| Branch offices: | Rostock (Schillingallee 68), Halle (Saale) (Weinbergweg 22), Potsdam-Golm (Am Mühlenberg 13), Erfurt (Herman-Hollerith-Straße 3), Hanover (Feodor-Lynen-Straße 21) |
| Type of research: | Applied research |
| Subjects: | Natural sciences |
| Areas of expertise: | Biology , immunology , biotechnology , regenerative medicine |
| Basic funding: | Federal government (90%), states (10%) |
| Management: | Ulrike Koehler |
| Employee: | 638 (as of December 2018) |
| Homepage: | www.izi.fraunhofer.de |
The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) is a research institute of the Fraunhofer Society . The institute researches and develops special problem solutions at the interfaces between medicine, life sciences and engineering. One of the main tasks is contract research for biotechnological, pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, clinics, diagnostic laboratories and research institutions. The Fraunhofer IZI develops, optimizes and validates processes and materials within the areas of active ingredients, cell therapy, diagnostics and biobanks. The focus of research is on the indication areas oncology, immunological diseases, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. The institute is oriented towards the clinic and undertakes quality tests as well as the GMP- compliant production of clinical test samples.
history
The institute was founded on April 29, 2005. In October 2005 the first laboratories in Bio City Leipzig were rented, and in June 2006 the first GMP facility was put into operation. The foundation stone for the new institute building was laid on September 22nd, 2006. Today's main building was opened on June 27th, 2008. In January 2013, the first extension was put into operation. The second extension was opened in April 2015. In April 2010 the Fraunhofer IZI was positively evaluated by a commission of renowned experts from science, economy and politics. On January 1, 2011, the institute then switched from start-up funding from the EU and the Free State of Saxony to the regular funding mode of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The institute has had a project group in Rostock since March 2011 . Together with the University of Rostock, the group is developing new procedures for blood purification and organ replacement. In October 2013, a second external project group, now a department, “Molecular Active Substance Biochemistry and Therapy Development” was founded in Halle (Saale) . Research focuses on neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases such as senile dementia or multiple sclerosis and the development of appropriate therapy concepts. In July 2014, the Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses branch of the Fraunhofer IZI in Potsdam-Golm was affiliated. The focus at the location is biotechnology, bioproduction, bioanalysis and automation. In October 2018 the Fraunhofer project center “Microelectronic and Optical Systems for Biomedicine” was opened in Erfurt . Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Mechanics (IOF), the Fraunhofer IZI is researching new biomedical applications for microelectronic and optical technologies. Since 2018, the institute has also had a branch in Hanover that works closely with the Hanover Medical School (MHH) in the field of preclinical development of cell-based cancer drugs .
The Fraunhofer IZI is a member of the Fraunhofer Group for Life Sciences . It also includes the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Technology (IBMT), the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB), the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ( ITEM), the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Maritime Biotechnology (EMB).
Research and Development
The institute's scientific focus is on the research and development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of immunological, oncological and degenerative diseases. The institute is divided into four research areas.
Active ingredients
The development of new active ingredients is a time-consuming and costly process. Often there is a gap in the transfer of the results of basic research into clinical application. The Fraunhofer IZI closes this gap with special know-how in the field of preclinical development. This includes active ingredient characterization, optimization and preclinical tests through to clinical studies . Special emphasis is placed on the development of active ingredients in the areas of oncology , autoimmune , neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases as well as infectious diseases.
Cell and gene therapy
The area of cell and gene therapy includes development activities and contract research projects for the development of innovative cell and gene therapy concepts as well as their validation, testing and production according to GLP and GMP standards. Our own developments are increasingly dedicated to the area of tumor immunology. The manufacturing and quality control service area is currently mainly working on approaches to combating cancer and treating cardiovascular diseases, but is generally cross-indication.
Diagnosis
Innovative diagnostic methods are necessary for the development of optimal therapy strategies. The Fraunhofer IZI develops and validates new and adapted diagnostic procedures and biomarkers. The institute develops z. B. new biomarkers for oncology as well as innovative methods for diagnosing infectious diseases (e.g. sepsis). With innovative methods and new biomarker classes (e.g. ncRNA), the institute endeavors to develop more sensitive, faster and more cost-effective methods and to transfer them to clinical use.
Biosystem technology
The biosystems technology division combines biomedical, engineering and process technology expertise to develop system solutions in the field of advanced manufacturing processes as well as medical technology and diagnostics. In addition, another focus is on the automation of manufacturing and analysis processes as well as the development and optimization of device modules and their integration.
Infrastructure
It has around 638 employees (as of December 2018), including academic staff, technical assistants, technical and administrative staff as well as numerous doctoral students and international guest researchers. The proportion of women is around 63% (as of December 2018). In 2017, the operating budget was just under EUR 35.8 million. The three institute buildings on the grounds of the Old Leipzig Exhibition Center offer around 8,800 m² of usable space for around 428 employees. The Fraunhofer IZI operates three ultra-modern GMP clean room facilities with a total area of approx. 900 m² as well as corresponding quality control laboratories, which are exclusively specialized in applications in the field of regenerative medicine. The focus is on the process development, manufacture and quality control of clinical investigational drugs in the field of drugs for advanced therapies (ATMP), which include tissue engineering products, somatic cell therapeutics and gene therapeutics.
The Bio City Leipzig , the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology , the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the German National Library are in the immediate vicinity of the Fraunhofer IZI . The university clinics, the natural science faculty of the University of Leipzig and other universities and research institutes are only a few minutes' walk away.
Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium
The Fraunhofer IZI has been organizing various scientific conferences since 2006. Including the annual Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium. Each event addresses a specific topic from the institute's research spectrum and brings together internationally renowned scientists, companies and young scientists who exchange views on the latest developments in the department.
Web links
- Homepage of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI)
- Homepage of the Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium Leipzig
Footnotes
Coordinates: 51 ° 19 ′ 8.4 " N , 12 ° 23 ′ 44.2" E