Harald zur Hausen Appointed as new Member of RZPD's Scientific Advisory Board

Berlin (June 28, 2004) - The renowned cancer researcher Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Harald zur Hausen has been appointed as a new member of RZPD Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung GmbH's (German Resource Center for Genome Research) Scientific Advisory Council. Zur Hausen is particularly known for his discovery of the carcinogenic effects of certain viruses. He was also the scientific chairman on the German Cancer Research Center's Management Board in Heidelberg, a position he held for 20 years - from 1983 until having been given emeritus status in 2003.

Amongst other organizations zur Hausen is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and since 2003 he is also the Vice President of the German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina in Halle (Saale). For his outstanding scientific work zur Hausen received numerous national and international awards, including the Robert Koch Award, the Charles S. Mott Award of the General Motors Cancer Research Foundation as well as the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstädter Awards. Zur Hausen is also honorary doctor of the Universities of Chicago (USA), Umeå (S), Prag (CR), Salford (UK) and Helsinki (FI).

The interest of his research work is focused on viruses that trigger the onset of cancer. Together with his working group he has discovered several new types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), amongst which are also the ones that cause cervical cancer (i.e. HPV 16 and 18).

Johannes Maurer, Scientific Managing Director of the RZPD commented on zur Hausen's appointment: "We are highly delighted to have won Prof. zur Hausen as a new member of our Scientific Advisory Board. The RZPD will be greatly profiting from his experience in international high-profile research, science politics and management of large scientific institutions. Whilst holding his postion as scientific chairman of the German Cancer Research Center's Management Board Prof. zur Hausen has already contributed considerably to the development of the RZPD."

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About the RZPD German Resource Center for Genome Research:
RZPD - German Resource Center for Genome Research (Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung), Berlin, is the largest and most modern service center for genome research in Europe. Based on one of the largest clone collections worldwide, it provides high quality research material, high throughput technology and automation solutions for academic institutions as well as for industry. The RZPD's portfolio includes clones of genomic and cDNA libraries, expression clones with full open reading frames, siRNA resources, colony, DNA, and protein arrays, genomic and cDNA pools, micro-arrays, expression profiling, Affymetrix service, high-throughput PCR, and cDNA library generation. All data generated with the RZPD's materials is stored in a primary database and is cross-referenced with records from other public sources. The RZPD does not claim intellectual property on the results arising from the work with the material provided. The RZPD is certified to meet the requirements and to comply with the quality standards set out by ISO 9001:2000.

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Further Information:

RZPD Berlin and Heidelberg
Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung GmbH
Dr. Johannes Maurer - Scientific Managing Director
Heubnerweg 6
D-14059 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49-30-32639-251
Fax: +49-30-32639-262
eMail: j.maurer@rzpd.de 

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