German Centre for Child and Adolescent Health now in Hamburg

12 June 2024

UKE and Leibniz Institute of Virology to form Hamburg branch - EUR 4.8 million in German government funds for start-up phase

The University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) became the Hamburg branch of the German Centre for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ) on June 1, 2024. The German Ministry of Education and Research has allocated EUR 30 million for the two-year start-up phase including EUR 4.8 million for Hamburg.

DZKJ Hamburg to focus on genetic diseases

“DZKJ in Hamburg offers an opportunity to develop new diagnostic procedures and innovative therapies for the treatment of children and adolescents," said Prof. Dr Ania C. Muntau, Director of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at UKE. "The Hamburg branch is inputting its extensive scientific expertise and, in some cases, unique infrastructure. We will improve healthcare for children and adolescents in collaboration with other branches in the coming years." The focus in Hamburg is on researching and treating rare genetic diseases involving over 20 scientists at UKE and LIV. Research into paediatric and adolescent health is also being conducted in Berlin, Göttingen, Greifswald, Rostock, Leipzig, Dresden, Munich and Ulm.

Child and adolescent health

The developmental phase in childhood and adolescence is highly significant for long-term health. Thus, setting up a DZKJ-wide patient and test subject cohort, preparing joint clinical studies and biobanks are key activities of DZKJ’s branches. Patients are involved in planning and implementing research projects. Special training and mentoring schemes for young scientists are to be developed as part of an overarching DZKJ Academy. Researchers in Hamburg are also advancing the care of paediatric patients. UKE is also focusing on developing new therapies for brain tumours.
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