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Revolution in genome research: Aachen launches new scientific facility!
In 2025, RWTH Aachen will establish a new research institution with Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf to promote genomic research.
Revolution in genome research: Aachen launches new scientific facility!
The establishment of a Joint Scientific Institution (GWE) on January 1, 2025 represents a significant step in the medical and life sciences. According to the RWTH Aachen This institution was founded in close cooperation with the universities of Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf. The existing structure of the West German Genome Center (WGGC) will be transformed into a new form.
The GWE aims to expand genomic research to an international level. Modern genomic technologies are provided for this purpose, which benefit both medical and biodiversity research. An important aspect of the GWE is the safeguarding and further development of established technologies that have been used in the past at the WGGC, which was founded in 2019.
Structures and speakers
The GWE spokesman for the Aachen location is Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Ingo Kurth, who heads the Center for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine. He receives support from co-speakers such as Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Eggermann and Dr. rer. nat. Julia Franzen, both members of the WGGC board. The GWE is also supported by a network of four universities, which also includes a central infrastructure facility for the generation and processing of genomic data in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The GWE benefits from funding from the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, which supports the development of modern NGS technologies, i.e. next generation sequencing. NGS is central to genomic research and allows millions of DNA fragments to be sequenced simultaneously, providing valuable insights into gene structures and genetic variations. This is considered a key technology for the life and medical sciences, such as PMC emphasized.
Research and Applications
A focus of GWE is the use of NGS technologies for various research areas, including aging and cancer research, as well as neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. NGS also enables fast and efficient DNA analysis.
- Alters- und Krebsforschung
- Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen
- Entzündliche Erkrankungen
- Virologische Forschung
- Mikrobiologische Forschung
- Biodiversitätsforschung
- Pflanzenzüchtung
The WGGC itself has made significant advances in sequencing technology over the years and is one of four national centers of excellence for NGS. It includes modern sequencing facilities in Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, which are equipped with highly developed technologies to optimize research processes.
The WGGC's engagement in outreach activities and the provision of advisory services on sequencing projects provides the scientific community with valuable guidance and access to experts driving the latest developments in NGS technologies. The GWE therefore not only represents significant progress in research, but also an opportunity to network and integrate the latest technologies in genomic research.