Marcus Conrad as a new member of the Hinterzarten Circle of the DFG on Cancer Research

The Hinterzarten Circle of the DFG on Cancer Research is a round table where medical and biological scientists working in the field of cancer research discuss new findings in the area of cancer-related basic research and the diagnosis and therapy of malignant tumours. The annual meeting is held in relative seclusion and is intended to encourage intensive exchange between scientists from different disciplines engaged in basic research and those conducting clinical research. The discussions of the Hinterzarten Circle are traditionally not publicised.

The five members of the Hinterzarten Circle are appointed by the DFG for five years. They cover the entire field of cancer research from the molecular principles to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients. The broad spectrum of topics discussed distinguishes the Hinterzarten Circle meetings from other symposia, which usually focus on a single aspect. Other members of the Hinterzarten Circle are currently Prof. Claudia Scholl from Heidelberg, Prof. Almut Schulze from Heidelberg, Prof. Florian Bassermann from Munich and Prof. Hubert Serve from Frankfurt.

Marcus Conrad is Director at the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death at Helmholtz Munich. His research team investigates the molecular mechanisms of cell and tissue demise in the mammalian system. In this context, his scientific team has made a series of breakthrough discoveries on ferroptosis, a cell death mechanism that is significantly involved in a variety of diseases including neurodegeneration and certain types of cancer. The prevention of ferroptosis is considered a promising approach for the therapy of many degenerative diseases, whereas its targeted activation may hold great promise to combat yet difficult-to-treat cancers.

About the researcher

Dr. Marcus Conrad, Director of the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death at Helmholtz Munich