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The Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology focuses on various scientific and clinical areas and is closely tethered to basic research through its association with the Department of Molecular Gynecology (head Prof. K. Strebhardt). Research focuses, such as prenatal medicine and obstetrics, as wells as gynecological endocrinology/reproduction medicine, have developed alongside surgical gynecology and oncology. As a result of having our own study center, we are able to treat 40% of all cancer patients in clinical studies. The professional structure of the study center with its study nurses and study doctors is worth mentioning. This enables us not only to participate in multi center phase III clinic studies, but also to perform phase I/II clinical studies. The close association with other study groups, such as the Working Group Gynecological Oncology (AGO), is an essential requirement for the successful realization of multi center study concepts.
One elementary, scientific, focal point is research in the areas of breast cancer and cell cycle regulation. The close association of clinic and molecular biology allows the progression of methods to detect biological markers, as well as novel therapeutic therapies, through the development of “biologicals”. To accomplish this, we emphasize methods such as DNA-chip analysis, selective gene expression inhibition with the use of antisense oligo nucleotides or RNA interference, as well as the promoter methylation of different genes.
Furthermore, diverse biochemical and molecular biological analysis are performed on different tumor cell lines, primary cells or tumors from human xenograft-animal experiments. Although these cell lines are usually carcinoma of the breast and cervix, some bronchial and colon carcinoma cells are investigated. Our primary goal is the specific blockage of tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth, through the inhibition of gene expression of different genes such as PLK1 [polo-like kinase 1], cyclin B1, Her2/neu and many more.
Messenger RNA and protein expression pattern of the investigated genes are determined by Northern and Western Blot analysis. Parallel kinase activities of the analyzed kinases are determined after different treatments are performed. Proliferation assays are used to determine the effects of specific treatments on the proliferation of cancer and primary cells. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution is analyzed with FACScan analysis. Protein expression is detected by indirect, immunofluorescence as well as by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, plasmids are cloned to express certain proteins in cell culture. The expression of these proteins can be determined with luciferase-expression assays.
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