„Funding with a systematic approach“– Promotion of the promising scientific young talents

The cutting-edge research approach of Medical Systems Biology especially opens new dimensions in the fight against cancer, when it comes to pathogenic research, drug development and new therapies.
The abundant data on individual cell components and functions, generated on different levels of life processes by means of the classical scientific research approach (“in vivo” and “in vitro”; genome, proteome, metabolome) is brought into a broader, more practical, and to some extent new coherence by Systems Biology’s use of computer-based modelling (“in silico”). The question to be answered is how complex biologic systems can operate by cross-linking their sub-processes. Only by this means can complex system characteristics, such as the regulation and control of biological systems and their system behavior, be understood and deciphered.
Medical practitioners, biologists, computer scientists working in bioinformatics and natural scientists from other fields collaborate across their disciplines. The function of the models obtained through their work is to facilitate the testing of hypotheses either experimentally or at the computer and thus to generate faster and more efficient research results. These simulations increasingly replace time-consuming laboratory experiments involving cell tissue and also enable predictions for further research activities possible.

Particularly in regard to preserving the quality of life of an increasingly aging society, problems of Bioethics will play an important role in the foundation’s work. It is of special concern to the MTZ®Foundation to determine to what extent modern cell and/or gene research already satisfies bioethical concerns and where possible limits to that research may be found. In this way, the foundation significantly contributes to the societal discussion of “a better future”. The MTZ®Foundation greatly appreciates the decision by the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg to declare ethics a mandatory subject in medical school, with a final examination on that topic (it is the only university in Germany that has done so). With the MTZ® Förderpreis 2007, a prize has been awarded in the field of applied bioethics for the first time in the 550 year history of the University of Freiburg. The MTZ®stiftung chose to make the award to a scientist at the University of Freiburg medical faculty in the hope that it will promote bioethical research in the field of molecular medicine.