Tjwa Laboratory: part of the Centre for Molecular Medicine

Under the guidance of its head Professor Stefanie Dimmeler, the Department of Molecular Cardiology changed its name into Centre for Molecular Medicine in Februari 2008. This re-naming was part of the initiation of the Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, which is directed by Professor Dimmeler. The Centre is part of the Faculty of Medicine (Fachbereich 16) of the Goethe University Frankfurt.

The Centre for Molecular Medicine tightly joins its forces with the Clinical Department of Cardiology (University Hospital Frankfurt), which is directed by Professor Andreas Zeiher. This synergy allows the unique strength of translating basic research findings into the clinic and vice versa - a seldom-found quality which we putatively termed "forward & reverse preclinical and clinical functional (epi)genomics". In addition, the Centre collaborates with various departments on the Campus (e.g. Physiology, Biochemistry, Hematology), with several Frankfurt Research Institutes (e.g. Red Cross Blood Center (Blutspendedienst), Edinger Institute) and with numerous national and international academies and research departments. The Centre participates in the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System (ECCPS; together with Max Planck Institute Bad Nauheim and University of Giessen), SFB Transregio23 Initiative "Vascular Differentiation and Remodeling" (together with Universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim), other national programs (LOEWE), European Programs (Heart Repair, AngioScaff) and Transatlantic Programs (LeDucq Foundation).

The foundation of the Tjwa laboratory (Leibniz Unit) was another initiative in function of the establishment of the new Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration. This new independent Research Unit is funded by the prestigious Leibniz Preis which was awarded in 2005 by the DFG to Professor Dimmeler for her groundbreaking research achievements in cardiovascular health and disease.

The Leibniz Unit "Vascular Hematology" was initiated in Januari 2008 with the recruitment of its new head Dr Marc Tjwa. The aim of this Research Unit is to complement the existing expertise on endothelial (progenitor) cell biology and cardiovascular disease with research efforts in hematopoietic stem cell biology and their niches. Dr Marc Tjwa developed this interest during his research training with Professor Peter Carmeliet, VIB, University of Leuven, Belgium, where he also gained experience in the fields of angiogenesis, vascular biology and cardiovascular disease.

The ambition of the Tjwa Laboratory is to steadily but firmly grow regarding manpower and research output, in order to become a known player in the field of hematopoietic stem cell and cardiovascular research within due time. Though independent, the Tjwa Laboratory is associated with the Centre for Molecular Medicine, participates within internal infrastructure, departmental meetings/seminars/workshops, etc, and synergistically collaborates with the Centre in various projects. However, the Tjwa Laboratory also has its own cycle of seminars (see also Research Seminars) and Unit meetings.

The Tjwa Laboratory and the Centre for Molecular Medicine is home for more than 30 staff members, and among them are medical doctors, postdoctoral fellows, and PhD/medical/diploma students with mixed backgrounds in (bio)chemistry, (molecular) medicine, biology, and pharmacy. More than half of the staff is foreign, and therefore the primary language is English. However, we also speak German, Dutch, Flemish, French, Italian, Greek, Russian, Kazach, Mexican, Brasilian, Japanese, Korean, and few other languages.

The Tjwa Laboratory and the Centre for Molecular Medicine are located in Building 25 (Haus 25) on the Campus of the University Hospital Frankfurt (Campus Niederrad), which is just outside of the city center. Being located at 15 min walking distance from the main train station (Haupt Bahnhof), 5 min driving distance from the A5 national highway, and 15 min driving distance from the International Airport (which is not the same as airport Frankfurt Hahn), our Unit is easily reachable. From the main train station, one might also take Tram 21 (direction "Stadion", 4th stop).

Haus 25 at the Campus of the University Hospital Frankfurt:
Centre for Molecular Medicine and the Tjwa Laboratory (courtesy of Reinier Boon)

Frankfurt: Center of Germany and Europe

The fifth biggest city in Germany, Frankfurt (also named Frankfurt am Main) has gained enormous economic power (both within Germany and abroad) thanks to its position as a key transport hub and its status as a major venue for international trade fairs and other business events. Located in the middle of the highly productive Rhine-Main region, right at the centre of Europe, the city is the financial heart not only of Germany but also of the European Union, pumping euros into the world economy.

A settlement since at least 3000 BC, Frankfurt's long and successful history of commerce stemmed initially from its central geographical location on the Main River and the Frankfurt Messe (fair). The Messe has been going since the 12th century (it is mentioned in a Jewish manuscript dating from 1160) and the city received its official Imperial privilege to hold an annual trade fair in 1240. Frankfurt got its name around AD 500, when the Franks ruled the area and the settlement along the Main Fort transportation route became known as ‘Franconovurd'.

Frankfurt's substantial political and cultural prestige is based on a fortunate history of decisive events. In 855, it became the election city for future monarchs. From 1562, the coronations of German emperors were held in the city's Cathedral of St Bartholomew. The Frankfurt Börse (Stock Exchange) began trading in 1585, moving to Börsenplatz, its current home, in 1879. In 1815, Frankfurt was declared a free city and part of the German Union, with the Bundestag, the Union's highest committee, located here. Frankfurt University, which took the name of the city's most famous son, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, in 1932, opened in 1914, just before the war that would forever change the face of Germany and indeed all of Europe.

If Frankfurt's political aspirations were dashed by the choice of Bonn as capital of the Federal Republic in 1949, the city has directed its post-war energies all the more wholeheartedly into its uncontested financial role. The modern skyscrapers of banks and corporations in the central business district are potent symbols of Frankfurt's economic strength and create a skyline that is more North American than European. ‘Bankfurt' or ‘Mainhattan' is home to some of the tallest buildings in Europe, including the 300m (984ft) Commerzbank tower. These modern behemoths have replaced parts of the old city that were destroyed by Allied bombers at the end of WWII. However, examples of pre-war Frankfurt can still be experienced in the reconstructed buildings on the Römerberg, including the cathedral and the Römer - Frankfurt's city hall since 1405.

With Europe's second busiest airport (after London Heathrow) and a vital junction on the national road and rail network, Frankfurt is a focal point of international transportation and communication. Not only is the city home to the European Central Bank and many other financial institutions, but it also commands thousands of companies, including the moguls of the German publishing industry, as well as a number of companies involved in public relations, marketing, media and telecommunications. As Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) commented in 1843, ‘here, you see and hear what is going on in the world'.

Most of Frankfurt's visitors come for one of the numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses. Among the largest on the international circuit are the International Book Fair (Buchmesse Frankfurt) and ACHEMA (chemical engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology). But Frankfurt (to the surprise of many) has got another side to reveal to its focused business visitors. As the birthplace of Germany's most revered writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), the city is at pains to impress with its cultural pedigree. Excellent museums, high-calibre performance groups and local festivals should entice the discerning guest away from the boardroom and the exhibition hall.

The city's climate is generally mild and well balanced with warm, occasionally wet, days in summer, with temperatures sometimes reaching 30°C (90°F) and more, and chilly winter days, when temperatures range between - 10°C (14°F) and 10°C (40°F).

From WorldTravelGuide.net copyright © Nexus Business Media Ltd 2008

Frankfurt at the fall of the evening

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