Photographer David Ausserhofer, Copyright MDC
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center) visits a lab in the “Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC)”. From left: Philipp DuBois (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin), Dr. Jens Fielitz (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin), and Prof. Friedrich Luft (Director of the ECRC). Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (Mitte) in einem Labor des „Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC)“. Von links: Philipp DuBois (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin), Dr. Jens Fielitz (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) und Prof. Friedrich Luft (Direktor des ECRC).
ing allogeneically modified tumor cells as a vaccine in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. Wolfgang Walter and Ulrike Stein (PhDs) are working with Peter Schlag (MD) on novel Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin suicide gene therapy in a selective treatment of claudin-3- and -4-overexpressing tumors. The other success stories are too numerous to list here. Importantly, these collaborations have also spurred a great deal of extramural funding including joint federal grants (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), clinical research groups (Klinische Forschergruppen), large program projects (Sonderforschungsbereiche), and topicoriented training grants (Graduierten Kollegs).
Main components of the ECRC The main physical components of the ECRC are a clinical research center (CRC) for studies involving patients and healthy humans and a high-field magnetic resonance facility for the examination of humans and model animals. A third building to house the experimental research center (ERC), whose focus will be disease-oriented experimental research, is nearing completion.
Most of the ECRC laboratories and the patient-oriented clinical research center (CRC) are located on the Campus Buch in the former Robert-Rössle Clinic of the Charité. Several outpatient clinics have already been established there; namely one for neuroimmunological diseases (multiple sclerosis), another for skeletal muscle disease, another for cardiomyopathies, another for genetic and diabetic renal diseases, another for metabolic diseases, and yet another for pediatric pulmonary and allergic diseases. The skeletal muscle disease clinic was established in the context of a DFG-financed clinical research group and deals with ca. 1200 patients with rare muscle diseases per year. The CRC has examining rooms, specialized procedure facilities such as microneurography, microdialyis, a metabolic chamber, normobaric hypoxia facilities, and tools for invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Available imaging technologies include ultrasound, echocardiography, Doppler tools, and access to high-field MRI. Personnel include study nurses, dietitians, biostatisticians, and ancillaries. The unit also has an erstwhile bone marrow transplant unit with appropriate safeguards. A “good manufacturing practice” (GMP) laboratory has been
The Experimental and Clinical Research Center 205