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The multi-leaf collimator MLC for radiation therapy has leaves where the positions of the leaves are determined by measuring a magnetic field. This allows determining the leaf position with enhanced precision, and is at the same time robust to perturbations or disturbances. The magnetic sensor may comprise a magnetic encoder that varies in a predefined pattern along a lengthwise direction of the magnetic element, in particular according to a step function. The technology can be used for a new generation of especially compact and small MLC. The Hall effect sensor does not interfere with therapeutic beam and the contact-free measurements does not affected by friction or abrasive wear.

Current technologies for radiologically guided interventions leave the interventionalist with a high degree of uncertainty regarding the position of his instruments and the surrounding tissue/organs. We developed a true 4D imaging providing a full control in three spatial dimensions including temporal changes during interventions suitable for MRI and CT (single shot for lower radiation dose).

We developed a new concept for on-patient visualization of anatomical data acquired with an arbitrary modality (typically CT or MRI). The method is based on a mobile device consisting of a flat display and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera which can be moved along the patient to provide a view on internal anatomical structures via augmented reality. For this purpose, the pose of the mobile device, which represents the viewing direction of the user, is continuously estimated by registering (i.e., aligning) the ToF data acquired during the visualization process with the patient surface extracted from the 3D medical data set. During camera pose estimation, a custom-designed algorithm accounts for the camera specific localization errors.

Branched-Chain-Aminotransferase-1 (BCAT1) as diagnostic marker for tumors and mutations of Isocitrate-Dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) and IDH2. Researchers at DKFZ developed an immunohistochemical assay to classify tumors based on differences in the metabolism of branched chain amino acids. In brain tumors the assay distinguishes tumors harboring mutations in either the IDH1 or IDH2 genes or both from tumors with wild type IDH1 and IDH2 genes. This way the IDH1 status and activity of branched chain amino acid metabolism can be determined using tissue slides. The specificity of the immunohistochemical lDH1 and IDH2 status analysis is significantly increased from about 92% in known methods to 100% in our method. The assay allows the fast and reliable diagnostic and prognostic classification of tumors based on the activity of branched chain amino acid metabolism.

Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by a global increase in transcription and protein per cell. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is the main driver for transcription and is necessary for hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes. DKFZ scientists have shown that wogonin is a potent inhibitor of CDK9 with no or very low toxicity to normal tissues. Wogonin can be used for preventing cardiac hypertrophy.

The Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is known to promote uncontrolled cell growth and survival. Compound library screening and med-chem based structure activity improvement revealed potent Wnt signaling inhibitors that selectively affected carcinoma cell lines. In addition, further experiments proved these compounds to induce apoptosis.