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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 establishment
of the German Breast Group
in our clinic has created an
institution, which is able
to develop and realize novel
study concepts (head: PD Dr.
med. G.v. Minckwitz). 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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