Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
From improved diagnostic methods to innovative therapeutic approaches – these are the focus areas of the Institutes of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research and Radiooncology at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). This work is complemented by research at the Institute of Radiation Physics, which develops compact particle accelerators for proton therapy, among other technologies. HZDR employs around 1,500 staff members, including approximately 700 scientists, working in the research fields of health, energy and matter.
For cancer diagnostics, HZDR develops radioactive probes and software methods for advanced imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET). In addition, researchers investigate novel radiopharmaceutical approaches for cancer therapy. These include endoradionuclide therapies, in which tumor tissue is irradiated directly within the body, as well as theranostic concepts that combine immunotherapies with radioactive emitters.
To develop biologically personalized and technologically optimized radiation therapy, scientists at the HZDR in the fields of radiobiology, medical physics, and translational radiation oncology work closely together. The overarching goal of radiobiological research is the development of biologically personalized combined therapies. Medical physics research aims to improve the precision and accuracy of proton therapy to the limits of what is physically possible by developing new techniques and translating them into clinical practice. The main goal of research in clinical and translational radiation oncology is to translate preclinical radiation biology studies into translational radiation oncology.
Progress in the fight against cancer requires interdisciplinary collaboration. For this reason, HZDR works closely with the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden and TU Dresden within OncoRay – the National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology. Together with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the partners also jointly operate the Dresden site of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC Dresden). In addition, the institutions are involved in the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).