Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland (HIPS)

Unser #CitizenScience Projekt MICROBELIX ist Teil dieser wunderschönen Publikation: Gemeinsam.Lokal.Forschen. 💡 → Klick bis Seite 26 👀 2023 hat MICROBELIX den Wettbewerb "Auf die Plätze! Citizen Science in deiner Stadt" gewonnen und wurde anschließend von der Citizen-Science-Plattform mit:forschen! Gemeinsam Wissen schaffen in der Weiterentwicklung unterstützt. MICROBELIX ist ein Mitmach-Projekt in Kooperation mit der Naturlandstiftung Saar (NLS) zur Ergründen der Biodiversität im Boden. Interessierte Bürgerinnen und Bürger sammeln mit unserem Sammel-Kit Bodenproben in naturnahen Räumen und schicken sie den Forschenden am HIPS zu. Dort wird die mikrobielle Zusammensetzung der Proben genauestens unter die Lupe genommen. Die erhaltenen Daten werden im Anschluss gleich doppelt genutzt: Während das HIPS auf der Suche nach Bakterien ist, die Wirkstoffe für die Erforschung neuer Antibiotika produzieren, interessiert man sich bei der NLS vor allem für Informationen zur Biodiversität im und auf dem Boden. Mach auch mit bei MICROBELIX! Unser Bodenprobensammel-Kit kannst du dir kostenlos auf unserer Webseite bestellen und so ganz einfach selbst Citizen Scientist werden. www.microbelix.de https://lnkd.in/eTqevbF9

What do zoo animals and cutting-edge pharmaceuticals have in common? More than you might think! 🦒 🦓 🦇 🧫 In two groundbreaking studies published in Nature Communications, researchers from Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland (HIPS), Universität des Saarlandes, and Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes studied the microbiomes of humans and zoo animals in search of natural products that could revolutionize treatments for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. By diving deep into the bacteria that live within us — and 48 animal species, the team identified through metagenome sequencing a scientific goldmine of bacterial gene clusters that could hold the key to future therapeutic developments. These discoveries open new avenues in the search for natural products that can be used as active ingredients in medicine. This work is also part of the planned nextAID³ Cluster of Excellence, which was positively evaluated in a first round by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation and whose full proposal was submitted by Saarland University in August 2024. The cluster aims to explore new and innovative avenues of AI-driven drug discovery and development. 🔍This way to read the full article on our website. ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eJN46Qun 🔬This way to the original publications. ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/e3SXh3KQ https://lnkd.in/ec2fBhVh Photo licenced by Adobe Stock (#880134821)

🌟 Did you know? We're also on Instagram! 🎉 Follow us @helmholtz_hips_de for a behind-the-scenes look at our research, feel-good stories, and insightful info posts. 🫶 https://lnkd.in/e5mwThTh Photo: HIPS/Oliver Dietze

🧬🦜Exciting Discovery in Medical-Pharmaceutical Microbiota Research! Happy to share our latest research led by HIPS Prof. Christine Beemelmanns, in collaboration with scientists from Universität des Saarlandes, Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie - Hans-Knöll-Institut, Yonsei University, Natural History Museum Denmark, Københavns Universitet - University of Copenhagen, The New Guinea Binatang Research Centre, Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, and Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. The international research team has unlocked a new frontier in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens! By studying the symbiotic relationship between bacteria of the genus Amycolatopsis and the toxic regent whistler bird, they’ve discovered two new classes of natural products with potent antimicrobial properties: pachycephalamides and demiguisines. 🪶 This innovative approach not only helps to better understand the interaction between two organisms, but can also contribute to the development of new anti-infectives. 🔍This way to read the full article on our website. ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/dCjJmK3C 🔬This way to the original publication. ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eZwRdVE7 Photo: HIPS/Lucia Bernhardt

Are you looking for a PhD position in natural product chemistry? We can offer you one! We are looking for for students that are interested in the identification of novel chemistry from unique bacterial taxa and their communities! Applicants are required to complete the online application form here: https://lnkd.in/dccRSnQK (Please select Job No. 129/2024)

🔬 New Breakthrough in Malaria Research: Targeting Plasmodium falciparum IspD Enzyme We are thrilled to announce our latest research, led by HIPS Prof. Anna Hirsch, in collaboration with scientists from Universität des Saarlandes, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut, Universität Hamburg, and Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, alongside OmicScouts GmbH and BASF. The study introduces a novel class of urea-based compounds targeting the IspD enzyme in the MEP pathway, a critical process in Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria-causing parasite. 🔑 Discovery of Potent Inhibitors: The scientists identified urea-based compounds with nanomolar potency on the IspD enzyme, exhibiting low-micromolar whole-cell activity, and demonstrating strong potential as future antimalarial agents. 🔑 Innovative MS-Based Assay: The team developed a new mass spectrometry-based assay for direct IspD activity determination, enhancing research efficiency. 🔑 Promising Pharmacokinetics: The compounds showed favorable metabolic and plasma stability, laying the groundwork for further development. With Plasmodium falciparum showing increasing resistance to current treatments, these findings provide a promising new direction for combating malaria. Importantly, these easily synthesizable compounds could significantly impact regions where affordable and accessible treatments are essential. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/eYUzRs59

📢 Save the Date! 3rd 3R-Symposium: Animal-free Methods in Pharmaceutical Research 🧪🐾 Prof. Claus-Michael Lehr is excited to co-host the 3rd 3R-Symposium on October 18th, 2024, at the University Campus Saarbrücken (Aula A3 3), from 9 AM to 4 PM. This year's symposium focuses on cutting-edge animal-free methods in pharmaceutical research and will feature keynotes from: Prof. Nicole Teusch – Tumor microenvironment on-chip model for precision drug discovery in pancreatic cancer Marta Venczel, PhD, MBA – Advancing in vitro assays to substitute in vivo experiments The event will also include short presentations and a poster session. Contributions are welcome — submit your abstracts by September 27th, 2024. 📝 Register and submit your abstract here:  https://lnkd.in/eGKhajFV 🎟️ Participation is free, but registration is required. Don't miss this opportunity to explore innovations in animal-free research!

Entdecke Wissenschaft am Türen-auf-Tag mit der Maus am Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland! 🚪🔬 Am 03.10.2024 laden wir junge Forscherinnen und Forscher zu einer spannenden Entdeckungstour durch das HIPS ein. Lerne unsere Forschung hautnah kennen und tauchen ein in die Welt der Wissenschaft! Die Anmeldung ist ganz einfach: Über die Türen-auf-Homepage der Maus oder per E-Mail an [email protected]. 👨👨👧👧 Anzahl der Teilnehmenden (inkl. Begleitpersonen) angeben ⏳ Gewünschten Time-Slot wählen: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 oder 16:00 Uhr Die Veranstaltung richtet sich an Kinder ab 6 Jahren und deren Familien. Wir freuen uns auf euren Besuch!

🎉 We are proud to announce that Prof. Martin Empting from Universität des Saarlandes (Saarland University) and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) has been recognized with the Young Medicinal Chemist in Academia Prize (Runner-up) by the European Federation of Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC)! 🏆 This prestigious award, presented at the 28th International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry in Rome, honors young chemists who are making significant contributions to academic research. Martin’s innovative work focuses on developing novel drug candidates that target bacterial and viral pathogens, specifically pathoblockers — compounds that block the harmful properties of pathogens without killing them. This could be a game-changer for overcoming antibiotic resistance and offering new treatment options for both acute and chronic infections. Martin’s recognition marks the third time a researcher from Saarland University and HIPS has received this award, following in the footsteps of Prof. Alexander Titz (2018) and Prof. Anna Hirsch (2021, runner-up). Congratulations, Martin, on this well-deserved achievement! Further information on the EFMC prizes 2024. ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/d46yRTp

Neues Exzellenzcluster zur Wirkstoffforschung Ein interdisziplinäres Forschungsteam der Universität des Saarlandes und weiterer Forschungsinstitute hat den Vollantrag für das Exzellenzcluster „nextAID³ – Nächste Generation der KI-getriebenen Wirkstoffentdeckung und -entwicklung“ eingereicht. Geleitet wird das Team von den Professorinnen Martina Sester, Andrea Volkamer und Anna Hirsch (Foto, v.l.n.r.). Das Cluster plant, mithilfe von KI und anderen computergestützten Methoden neue Ansätze in der Wirkstoffforschung zu entwickeln. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf vernachlässigten Forschungsbereichen wie der Antibiotikaforschung oder der Erforschung von Krankheiten, die insbesondere den globalen Süden betreffen. Die finale Entscheidung über die Förderung wird im Mai 2025 bekannt gegeben. Mehr dazu unter: https://lnkd.in/e9yk8yFf Foto: UdS/Oliver Dietze