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Researchers at Reutlingen University have succeeded in developing a label-free method for the characterization of metaphase chromosomes. The method and the corresponding analysis algorithm allow for visualization of both the chemical properties (absorption) and the morphological properties (stray light) of a chromosome. Using this method, the bands and sub-bands can be characterized with high resolution. Thus, no staining is required for unambiguous identification. The technology can be integrated into all imaging methods (e.g.microscopy).

The invention offers a method to create and use electronic coupons in a new way. The coupons can be spread both directly between smartphones and by means of social networks or by means of classical advertisement, such as posters or fliers. The value of each single coupon can be increased by sharing it, initiating a viral distribution by rewarding the users for the sharing. As each coupon is unique, statistics can be performed allowing insight on the acceptance, use and distribution ways of every used coupons, allowing insight in the own mobile couponing procedures on a new level.

The present invention provides compounds acting as an effective and selective medicament for the treatment of neoplastic diseases or proliferative disorders, in particular compounds which induce selectively apoptosis of degenerated cells providing reduced side effects in living organisms. The compounds of the present invention are characterized by a high selectivity towards neoplastic cells. CLL cells show a higher sensitivity towards the compounds than PBMCs opening a therapeutic window. The EC50 for CLL cells is in the lower micromolar range.

The invention reveals a cost effective method for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Using common 3D printer technology a template based on patients tumor shape is generated, which can be used for defining the position of the individual leaves of a multi leave collimator.

So far the analysis of indoor concentrations of formaldehyde is only possible via expensive methods, normally requiring GC or HPLC analysis in the lab. So called MOX (metal oxide) sensors theoretically permit an online-monitoring, but there is so far no instrument available for the detection of relevant concentrations in the ppb-range at reasonable costs.
Our invention presents a novel MOX-sensor based on In4Sn3O12 as sensitive layer with sensitivities for formaldehyde being two orders of magnitude above those of established reference sensors. Our sensor allows an online/realtime-monitoring of formaldehyde in day to day settings, at low cost.

Cancer patients frequently bear therapeutically relevant genome alteration. For instance, lung adenocarcinomas of patients that have never smoked carry genome alterations affecting kinases, such as EGFR mutations and translocations affecting ALK, ROS1, and RET genes. These patients can be effectively treated with an ever-growing number of kinase inhibitors. However, despite substantive cancer genome sequencing efforts a majority of tumors still lacks therapeutically tractable alterations. Scientists of the University of Cologne identified NRG1 gene fusions as ideal diagnostic and prognostic markers and targets for various tumours. The MTSS1-NRG1 fusion event has e.g. been detected in patients with small cell lung cancer and the gene fusion CD74-NRG1 has been shown to occur frequently in never smokers with invasive mucinous lung adenocarcinoma lacking KRAS mutation. The latter has been verified by several other groups.