Research for Healthier Aging . CECAD Cologne – Cologne Cluster of Excellence on Age Research presented itself

Research on the treatment and prevention of these illnesses therefore belongs to one of the most important medical issues of the future. The Cologne Excellence Cluster CECAD Cologne (Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases) made it its objective to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying lifespan regulation and aging-associated diseases in order to achieve its long-term objective of developing new therapeutic interventions.

The Cologne Excellence Cluster (CECAD Cologne), which will receive over six million euros annually within the framework of the Excellence Initiative, will bring together researchers and clinicians from the University of Cologne and the University Hospital with researchers from the new Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging. This constellation makes the CECAD-Cologne the first ever research center in Europe to dedicate itself solely to discovering the underlying mechanisms of aging along with those triggering aging-associated diseases.

It is therefore envisioned that this cluster will become an internationally recognized leader at the forefront of aging research paving the way for the development of preventive and novel therapeutic interventions. “Cologne is the epicenter of an excellent regional health care service continually demonstrating outstanding competence in the areas of science and research,” said Cologne’s Lord Mayor Fritz Schramma, who started the initiative “Health Cologne” in association with the University of Cologne and other health care authorities last year. Lord Mayor Schramma also said, “With the Excellence Cluster CECAD-Cologne, Cologne’s health care will become a leading center in the domain of “Gesundheit für Generationen (Health for the Generations)”, which is increasingly important for future development – not only for Cologne.”

The University Rector Prof. Dr. Axel Freimuth also pointed out: “Through CECAD-Cologne, we have yet another beacon in our profile domain of life sciences.” We hereby cordially invite you to the press conference on the occasion of the official presentation of the CECAD-Cologne.

The following parties will be taking part in the press conference:
-University-Rector Prof. Dr. Axel Freimuth,
-Lord Mayor Fritz Schramma,
-CECAD-Speaker Prof. Dr. Jens Brüning,
-Prof. Dr. Michael Hallek, Chair Person of the Center for Integrated Oncology, and

-Prof. Dr. Thomas Langer, Speaker for the Collaborative Research Center 635 (Posttranslational Control of Proteins).

Place: University of Cologne, Main Building, Alter Senatssaal

Time: 12:45-13:45, 7th February 2008