How to Win the Nobel Prize Nine Tips from Peter Doherty* Who Won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1996, with Comments by Harald Zur Hausenn

32 Nobel Prize in Medicine 2008 1 How to win the Nobel Prize Nine tips from Peter Doherty* who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1996, with comments by Harald zur Hausenn

Tip 1: Be realistic and don’t overrate yourself Harald zur Hausen: You have to be able to assess yourself realistically. Which after all is the mark of a good scientist. Never assume you know everything. And above all, don’t act like a know-it-all.

Believe only what you see Tip 2: and try to get into the habit of thinking unconventionally

Harald zur Hausen: I’ve often told young scientists how important it is to think outside the box once in a while. Simply contenting yourself with existing dogmas is both wrong and lazy. You don’t have to accept everything you’re taught, even if it counts as a scientific ‘truth.’ But if you take this approach, you must also expect to have to work harder.

Tip 3: Work with the right people Harald zur Hausen: Working in an environment that offers the right balance of freedom and direction is extremely important for young scientists, for whom too much freedom and too little direction can be disastrous. That’s what happened to me at the start of my career. Later, when you’ve built up your own team, you have to develop a nose for talent. In my view, what helps here more than anything else is personal contact.

Tip 4: Write clearly and precisely Harald zur Hausen: One thing we have to be clear about: If the other person doesn’t understand what I’m saying, then assuming he or she is of average intelligence it has to be my fault and not that of the person I’m addressing. Communication failures of this kind usually indicate that you haven’t yet thought things through to their logical conclusion.

* Peter Doherty, The Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Nobel Prize. A Life in Science. Columbia University Press, 2006 Focus on a special area; Tip 5: don’t fritter away your energy Harald zur Hausen: Lack of focus is a real danger. Brilliant people who jump from one topic to another often achieve very little. You have to be obstinate, because no problem is easy to solve.

Choose your place of work Tip 6: carefully Harald zur Hausen: That’s right. I’ve not always done that.

Tip 7: Talk about your topic Harald zur Hausen: Those who brood over their problems all on their own and conduct wonderful experi- ments that no one ever hears about never get noticed and are soon forgotten. Surely the opposite is the more natural way: If you have some measure of scientific ambition, you’ll most likely want to share what you’re doing with your colleagues and if you’re astute as well, then you’ll want to hear their criticisms and suggestions.

Be tenacious and dogged, but also be Tip 8: prepared to fail Harald zur Hausen: Basically, you have to accept that most of the hypotheses that you advance and that you spend years of your life working on and tweak- ing will eventually turn out to be wrong. You then have to correct them – and go on working. You have to be prepared for a certain amount of frustration – perhaps even more so in science than in other areas. And no doubt about it, you also need luck. With the papillomaviruses, I was lucky.

Steer clear of prestigious Tip 9: management jobs Harald zur Hausen: Assuming it really is a job in which you’re no more than an administrator, then I wholly subscribe to this statement.

1 “THE PRIZE IS A CREDIT TO US ALL” The Nobel Prize – an honor and a challenge for the DKFZ

Monday morning, October 6, of the German Cancer Research 2008: Harald zur Hausen is Center (DKFZ) only learned the editing an article for the In- good news when he landed ternational Journal of Cancer in Berlin and switched his cell in his office in the Applied Tu- phone back on again. From then mor Virology building. In the on, he recounts, his sole concern neighboring main building the was to get back to Heidelberg Administrative-Commercial Di- as quickly as possible: “This was rector Josef Puchta is study- obviously going to be the high ing plans for the Center’s new point of the year.” buildings and renovations. The Scientific Director Otmar D. In Wiestler’s opinion, there is Wiestler is on a plane to Berlin, hardly any research scientist in where he is to give a lecture. biomedicine who has achieved At a quarter to eleven zur Hau- what his predecessor Harald sen’s phone rings. “I picked up zur Hausen can show for a life’s the phone,” he says, “and heard work. To shape the entire devel- a voice with a Swedish accent opment from the first bold hy- congratulating me on winning pothesis right up to the finished the Nobel Prize.” From then on product – the vaccine against chaos reigned supreme. “All hell cervical cancer now available in broke loose,” recalls the new every pharmacy – was “some- Nobel Laureate – who is not thing really, really special.” normally one to exaggerate. Otmar D. Wiestler succeeded “No, we really hadn’t been ex- Harald zur Hausen as Scientific pecting it,” says Wiestler, ex- Director of the DKFZ in 2004. plaining why the current head “The German Cancer Research

2 Center is an outstanding insti- past 20 years, research has laid tution,” he says, as he himself the groundwork for therapeutic realized soon after taking of- innovations at the cellular and fice. “And what makes it so out- molecular levels in particular. standing are the people – a truly “Using this excellent basic re- remarkable number of excellent search as a springboard,” says brains at all levels of the orga- Wiestler, “we now have to focus nization.” In his travels in Ger- more on applied medicine. After many and abroad, he has time all, taxpayers support us so that and again been witness to the we can do something to combat high esteem in which the Ger- cancer.” man Cancer Research Center is held. And now the Center is “Translational cancer research” famous as well. People will say: is the term used for research “The DKFZ – they’re the ones that aims to get its findings out with the Nobel Prize Winner.” As of the laboratory and into the Wiestler remarks: “It’s a wonder- hospital as quickly as possible. ful award for Harald zur Hausen. The clinical cooperation units And a wonderful award for the initiated by Harald zur Hausen DKFZ, too. The prize is a credit to in the early 1990s are a step in us all.” And an honor the DKFZ this direction since they help must continue to live up to. bridge the gap between research and clinical practice; one “We have a special tradition clinician is placed in charge of and a special responsibility,” both a DKFZ research unit and says Wiestler. The responsibil- a hospital ward. Then, in 2004, ity addresses first and foremost the National Center for Tumor people who have cancer. Can- Diseases Heidelberg (NCT) was cer diagnosis and therapy have founded, and will move into improved considerably, but the its new building at the begin- Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, Chairman and Scientific Direc- fact is that one in two cancer ning of 2010. Modeled on the tor of the German Cancer Research Center patients still cannot be treated American Comprehensive Can- successfully and eventually suc- cer Center, the new NCT com- cumb to the disease. “We are in plex will bring together cancer urgent need of new therapies,” researchers and cancer special- explains Wiestler, who regards ists to care for patients under being part of this effort as one one roof. Rapid translation of of the DKFZ’s most important research findings into practice, tasks. The prospects for success says Wiestler, also requires close are certainly promising. In the cooperation with partners from

3 The Applied Tumor Virology building where Harald zur Hausen can be found in his office almost every day

industry. The DKFZ has there- foundation for all future clinical fore formed strategic alliances developments. Basic research in with partners such as Siemens cell biology is receiving special in medical technology and attention thanks to the alli- Bayer Schering Pharma in drug ance with the DKFZ’s neighbor, development. the Center for Molecular Biol- ogy Heidelberg. Wiestler also Another important goal, accord- underscores the importance ing to Wiestler, is the improve- of programs to nurture young ment of early detection and pre- scientists. The Theodor Boveri vention. “The earlier cancer is Program for the advancement detected,” says Wiestler, who is of young scientists, for exam- himself a physician, “the better ple, was created by Harald zur the chances of a cure.” Greater Hausen himself to give them emphasis is therefore being the opportunity to work inde- placed on research into preven- pendently and establish their tion and risk factors to stop can- own research groups early on cer from developing in the first (see pages 18–21). The DKFZ now place. Vaccination against cervi- has twenty such junior research cal cancer is a unique example groups. “The institution has an of this. The new Preventive On- outstanding reputation,” says cology unit at the NCT reflects Wiestler, adding that “excel- the importance of this area. lent young scientists are eager to work here – and we do all Not that basic research should we can to offer them the be neglected, says Wiestler, very best condi- who is anxious to stress the tions.” importance of its role as the

The new NCT building is due to be completed by the end of 2009.

4 The National Center for Tumor Diseases aims to get research results to patients as quickly as possible.

Wiestler also mentions a new research focus – newly discovered cancer stem cells. The Hei- delberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM) was founded just recently to conduct stem cell research at the highest international level and to develop cancer therapies in close cooperation with hospitals and industry.

Another new focus will be par- ticipation in the international Cancer Genome Project. The aim of this mammoth under- taking is to analyze the entire genome sequence of the 50 most common cancer types in 500 patients each in order to detect frequent genetic mu- tations in cancer cells. This is fight for months to win support a precondition for developing for a German contribution.” new medicines and for individ- Yet he has no doubt that it is ualized cancer care. ‘Admission’ a worthwhile investment, and to the project costs 15 million that as a trendsetter for cancer Euros. “That’s a lot of money,” research and cancer medicine, says Wiestler, “and we it will soon start yielding divi- had to dends for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

5 Professor Lutz Gissmann, who has worked with Harald zur Hausen for many years

Both are benign growths of the skin, but are caused by differ- The ent types of papillomavirus, or so zur Hausen hypothesized. The question called for in-depth Long Road to study, and Gissmann was one of the first PhD students to work on human papillomaviruses (HPV) in zur Hausen’s Erlangen Success team. From an interesting discovery to the first cancer vaccine Lutz Gissmann recounts how he first heard the name Harald Over 30 years ago, a young doc- calls how “there were ever so zur Hausen in a lecture on tu- toral student at the Institute many warts.” His supervisor had mor virology he attended while of Clinical Virology in Erlangen tasked him with searching for a student at Erlangen in the picked up his thermos bottle the DNA of particular viruses, early 1970s. A short time later, and set off for the dermatolo- so-called papillomaviruses, in he learned that zur Hausen was gist. He went there regularly – genital tract warts. The supervi- to leave Würzburg to take up every week, in fact. The derma- sor was Harald zur Hausen, who an appointment at the Insti- tologist was an obliging man when he arrived in Erlangen tute of Clinical Virology at the who assiduously collected all was just 35 years old, and had University of Erlangen-Nurem- the warts that he removed from advanced the remarkable hy- berg and immediately decided: his patients’ hands and feet in pothesis that papillomaviruses “That’s where I want to be.” He the course of the week and gave cause cervical cancer. All that he later buttonholed zur Hausen in them to the student. He then lacked was proof. the corridor of the Institute and put the warts in his thermos without further ado after in- bottle full of liquid nitrogen and Gissmann worked system- troducing himself briefly asked returned to the laboratory as atically, starting with the hand whether zur Hausen would su- fast as possible to get down to and foot warts on which the pervise his doctoral thesis. The work. research was more advanced. response was similarly short Zur Hausen had isolated papil- and to the point: “So when do The young PhD student was lomavirus DNA back in the early you want to come?” Lutz Gissmann. Now a professor 1970s and had demonstrated and head of the Genome Modi- that the viral DNA obtained Gissmann, however, first had to fications and Carcinogenesis from hand and foot warts was complete his diploma in Biol- division at the German Cancer different from that obtained ogy, although “I’d often wander Research Center, Gissmann re- from warts of the genital tract. over to the Institute of Virology 6 scientists had discovered that used by institutes worldwide there are numerous different for biochemical and molecular types of papillomavirus, most biological research. Even today, of which are harmless. The next says Gissmann, he is impressed scientific task, therefore, was to that papillomavirus DNA can track down the culprits. be detected in a cell line that has existed for decades: “Those 1977 saw a change of scenery. were real breakthroughs in Harald zur Hausen had been Freiburg.” appointed Professor at the In- stitute of Virology at the Uni- Yet the scientific world outside just to show him that I was still versity of Freiburg and many Freiburg’s Institute of Virology around.” He was afraid his fu- members of his group, Giss- still had to be convinced. Lutz ture supervisor might no longer mann among them, decided Gissmann recalls an event in remember him, although zur to move with him. They were the mid-1980s which appar- Hausen was quick to reassure joined by the PhD students Mi- ently does not count among him on this point: “I’m waiting chael Boshart, Matthias Dürst, “the greatest experiences” of for you,” he would say. and Hans Ikenberg. The wart era his life. He was in Sweden for was also over. The objective now the annual conference of papil- Lutz Gissmann set off with his was to isolate the DNA of pap- lomavirus researchers and it fell first thermos bottle in the mid- illomaviruses in tissue samples to him, a young scientist lacking 1970s. The laboratory work on taken from cervical tumors that in experience, but very excited the warts was highly complex had been surgically removed and called for all the method- from women patients. Until ological tools of the trade then then, this had invariably proved known to molecular biology – impossible; but now, modern in those days a relatively new genetic engineering held out branch of science. The findings, the promise of success. however, were crystal clear: Warts on hands and feet were And success was not long in indeed found to be caused by coming. Between 1982 and different types of papilloma- 1984, Harald zur Hausen’s team virus than those on the geni- isolated the DNA of two types tals. This was a very important of papillomavirus from cervi- finding that corroborated cal tumors: HPV16 and HPV18. Harald zur Hausen’s hypoth- These two papillomaviruses are esis. Whereas skin warts on known to cause about 70 per- the hands and feet are always cent of all cervical tumors and harmless, genital warts – as had precancerous lesions. been known for some time – in rare cases can degenerate into Gissmann recalls how “we even cancer. Was it possible that discovered HPV18 in HeLa cells.” the papillomaviruses which HeLa cells are descendants of showed such a clear preference cells obtained from cervical can- for cervical tissue were at the cer tissue taken from Henrietta same time the pathogens that Lacks, an American woman who caused cervical cancer? And if died of the disease in 1951. Since so, which types of papillomavi- then, the cancer cells, which rus were involved? Meanwhile, continue to divide, have been 7 about his work, to stand up in The next move came in 1983; front of the world’s leading ex- this time it was to Heidelberg, perts and report on the team’s where Harald zur Hausen had HPV16 findings. “It was as if been appointed Scientific Direc- some of those present wanted tor of the German Cancer Re- to tear me to pieces” – is how search Center. Despite the many Gissmann describes the tu- responsibilities this new posi- multuous scenes that ensued. tion entailed, work on human Harald zur Hausen rushed onto papillomaviruses continued the podium to help him answer unabated. The biologist Elisa- the barrage of critical questions, beth Schwarz had joined the but not even he could restore team by then, and it was she calm. “People simply didn’t be- who succeeded in identifying lieve us,” says Gissmann. What the dangerous legacies left by zur Hausen would later call the viruses inside human cells: the “skepticism phase” was not the viral genes E6 and E7. The overcome until the Freiburg products of these genes inter- team sent samples of its viral cept those of the cell’s own mol- material to some 300 laborato- ecules whose job it is to control ries worldwide. “We wanted to how often a cell should divide. give our fellow researchers the If the immune system is unable chance to replicate our findings to cope with the viruses, and if on their own,” explains Giss- the infected cell suffers further mann, “and they all arrived at lesions in the course of time, the same conclusions.” the cell’s own growth processes

8 – finely balanced at the molec- cology before pouring money form virus-like particles, which ular level – may be upset, lead- into an illusory cancer vaccine. outwardly resemble the natu- ing to unbridled cell prolifera- “The link between viruses and ral viruses, but do not contain tion at the expense of healthy cancer did not generate much any DNA and are therefore not cells. This explained the appar- enthusiasm on the whole,” infectious. These particles be- ent ‘transformation’ of infected says zur Hausen, “and the idea came the basis of the vaccine cervical cells into cancer cells, of vaccinating against cancer which has been available since often decades later. And the sci- probably seemed too remote.” 2006 and which in large-scale entists had another idea, too: One German pharmaceutical clinical trials has been shown If viruses are the main cause company that he had been able to provide reliable protection of cervical cancer, to take on board backed out against infection with the hu- after the results of a market man papillomaviruses 16 and analysis suggested that the de- 18 and hence precancerous velopment of a vaccine would cervical lesions. “So we’ve now not pay off. come full circle,” says a delight- ed Gissmann.

why should it not be possible to de- There velop one of medicine’s most were problems in the lab as powerful weapons – a vaccine well. The papillomaviruses The – against this form of cancer? simply refused to be cultured full story of the importance The idea was good, but no one in the Petri dish. Yet such cul- of viruses and other pathogens was interested in it. Various tures are essential to obtaining to the pathogenesis of cancer industrial partners were ap- the harmless viruses required in humans has yet to be writ- proached, but none of them in a vaccine. The breakthrough ten, however. “I’m absolutely was willing to provide the fi- came in the early 1990s, when convinced,” says Harald zur nancial backing for such an Lutz Gissmann and Matthias Hausen, “that infectious events expensive long-term undertak- Dürst, along with scientists ing. “Some of them thought the from the US National Institutes experimental data were in- of sufficient,”

play a much greater role Health, used ge- in the development of cancer netic engineering to produce than has hitherto been as- recalls Harald zur Hausen. Oth- large quantities of one of the sumed. And it would make me ers told him that surely there virus capsule’s protein com- very happy if I could encourage were more urgent problems ponents. These components young scientists to follow up that needed tackling in on- combine spontaneously to this lead.”

9 “KNOWLEDGE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN POWER” Harald zur Hausen – a portrait

Harald zur Hausen cherishes the hope that one day we will be able to overcome cancer, though he would never dare make such an assertion in public. What he would say is that we are learning to understand Top: it better. And he is confident Harald zur Hausen with his older that this increases our chances sister Eleonore. of taking the sting out of cancer, or even of preventing it from Center: developing at all. Cancer pre- The siblings Manfred, Eleonore, vention, stopping cancer from Harald, and Winfried. developing – the work of Harald Bottom: zur Hausen is a textbook exam- With his mother in the chicken ple that this is possible. Thanks yard. to his seminal research, medical science has developed the very first vaccine to target a specific type of cancer, cervical cancer. A member of the Nobel Prize Com- mittee praised the “great perseverance” with which Harald zur Hausen pressed ahead with his research over the decades, even in the face of opposition. “The bit about perseverance is certainly true,” says zur Hausen, “I’m as obstinate as a mule.”

Harald zur Hausen was born in Gelsenkirchen on March 11, 1936. His schooling began when he was six, but ended almost as soon as it had begun. The war was on, and the school had to close, which “wasn’t such a problem for us children,” zur Hausen recalls. When schools opened again in 1945, his aunt, a schoolteacher, made sure her nephew could go directly into fourth grade. “I was completely lacking in fundamentals,” zur Hausen says. But he still passed the exams he needed to advance to the next level – probably in the early summer of 1946: “I’ve no idea how I managed it – very likely by the skin of my teeth.” 10 “KNOWLEDGE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN POWER” Harald zur Hausen – a portrait

The first year at Gymnasium of tuberculosis when she was was, he believes, a challenge that (high school) was “simply ter- a young girl and shortly after- shaped his thinking. Even today the rible,” and his report card at the wards she lost her mother – “to question continues to engross him, end of the year read: “Passed – cervical cancer, incidentally.” and two years before he retired as but with great misgivings.” He Scientific Director of the German describes how he then boned Zur Hausen remembers that Cancer Research Center he wrote up on what he was lacking and his mother had always said she a book called Genom und Glaube how from then on, things went would have liked to become a or “Genome and Belief.” His main pretty well: “I’d say I was an aver- doctor. “But in the difficult war thesis in that work is that belief age student.” What was unusu- and post-war years, she had should be replaced “by knowledge al, though, was his enthusiasm no opportunity to realize this wherever possible” and “mental for nature. Even as a small child wish,” he says, adding that per- stasis” by the dynamic thinking pre- he took a keen interest in plants haps his interest in medicine scribed by evolution. “Of course we and animals, especially birds, came from her. His mother was do not know whether this rational and even enjoyed gardening! always happiest when she had approach can assure our future,” he He and a friend of his who lived all her children with her. There writes in his final sentence, “but do on a farm would often venture were three sons and a daughter, we have an alternative?” off into the nearby forests and and Harald was her youngest heaths, where they would “col- child. “We didn’t have it easy fi- After graduating from high school lect all sorts of things or catch nancially,” says zur Hausen, “but in 1955, zur Hausen opted for a two- lizards – the kind of things boys we did all get a good education.” in-one solution and began studying do.” Even later after he and his Biology and Medicine at the same family had moved away from Once at Gymnasium, his keen time. Amazingly, he held out for the Ruhr Area to Vechta, south interest in the natural sciences seven semes- of Oldenburg, he liked to spend quickly became apparent. Biol- ters before hours, usually alone, walking on ogy was his favorite subject, having to the moors and observing the and he was “fairly ambitious” in amit that natural world. His exceptionally it. He liked Chemistry, too, and he could no deep and precocious affinity for also enjoyed writing, especially longer man- nature and for all living things the essays on literature and phi- age it. He re- was “probably a little on the losophy he had to write for Ger- members that zur Hausen unusual side” – or so Harald zur man in his last year of school. time vividly: in Vechta, Hausen thinks in retrospect. In his free time, he liked to read “Just before aged 16 the biographies of famous sci- my preliminary He may have inherited this early entists, and was particularly medical ex- interest in flora and fauna from impressed by the life of Robert his father, who came from farm- Koch. The subject he relished ing stock near Gladbeck and least was Religion, nor did he had had to break off his study of much care for his Religious Edu- agronomy because of the First cation teachers. “I got into really World War. In 1919, he ended up heated discussions with them,” as a soldier with the Baltische recalls zur Hausen. Even as a Landeswehr in Latvia “which is schoolboy, he was fascinated where he met my Latvian moth- by “the central and burning is- er,” recounts zur Hausen. “They sue,” convinced as he was that got married four weeks after it must be possible to find a meeting, and surprisingly, their mechanistic explanation for all marriage lasted a lifetime.” Like life processes. The contradiction so many people in those days, between what he learned in his mother did not have an Religious Education and his ex- easy life. Her father had died perience in the natural sciences ams, my decision very nearly turned into disaster because I simply didn’t have the time to attend any lectures in Medi- cine.” He therefore had to work “as never before and as I never have done since” to catch up on what he had missed. The decision to give up Biology was also influenced by the fact that teaching at Germany’s univer- sities “was simply poor back then.” There were hardly any lectures in Molecular Biology, for example, although it was already becoming a mainstream subject by then. Instead, he was expected to draw insect mandi-

1967 in Philadelphia 12 bles. Not that there is anything When he calculated that this the very bacterium that causes wrong with that – there is a place mindless task would take at tuberculosis. “So, I’m not in the for everything. But this approach least three years, he lost all in- least ashamed of my PhD the- meant that too many develop- terest and switched to the Insti- sis,” he says. ments passed him by, which as tute of Microbiology in Düssel- a young scientist he then had to dorf, where he addressed a topic After completing his doctorate, learn about by dint of very hard that at first glance seemed to Harald zur Hausen spent the work after graduation. have nothing at all to do with years 1960 to 1962 as a resident either Biology or Medicine. He in hospitals in Wimbern (Sauer- After passing his preliminary studied floor waxes! Initially, he land), Isny (Allgäu), Gelsenkirch- exams with flying colors, ev- admits, he found this research en, and Düsseldorf. “I wanted erything went smoothly, even extremely uninspiring; but he to get myself licensed as a if his first doctoral thesis at the kept at it and in the end found it medical practitioner,” he says, Institute for Tropical Medicine very interesting. Because what “and that meant I had to do the in Hamburg turned out to be zur Hausen found out was that clinical work.” Those were two a dead end: “I was supposed to when exposed to ultraviolet very good years in which close count amebic cysts in the stools light, certain floor waxes used contact with patients affected of monkeys,” zur Hausen recalls. in tuberculosis sanatoria kill the way he thought – and con- Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tinued to do so even later, long continued on page 16 Floor waxes played a central role in zur Hausen’s PhD thesis.

after he had found his place in and to his first hands-on in- research. “In my heart of hearts, volvement in a topic that was I always wanted to do pure to remain with him for the rest research,” zur Hausen read- of his life as a research scientist. ily admits. But when he finally In the early 1960s, Gertrude and started his research career at Werner Henle were the first the Institute of Hygiene and to demonstrate that there is a Microbiology at the University connection between a specific of Düsseldorf, he was deeply virus, the Epstein-Barr virus, disappointed: “Those were the and a particular form of can- bleakest weeks of my life,” he cer, Burkitt’s lymphoma, which recalls. “There was no one to occurs frequently in Africa. “Vi- guide me and all I could do was ruses and cancer” – that was to stand around in the lab, help- be zur Hausen’s research topic. lessly asking myself: So what?” The topic was peripheral, but His much-praised persever- very promising. The field had by ance was so sorely tested that and large been left fallow, and “I made up my mind to go back Harald zur Hausen wasted no into clinical medicine.” But a time before applying himself “chain of odd circumstances” to the job of tilling it. On leav- prevented his return. After vari- ing the United States, he went ous unsuccessful attempts to first to the University of -Würz find an attractive job, work in burg, where starting in 1969 he the Düsseldorf lab started to had the opportunity to build up improve, “and I rediscovered my his own research group at the Top: Harald zur Hausen (smoking!) with Heinrich Schulte- joy in doing research.” Institute of Virology, and then, Holthausen at his graduation ceremony, New Year’s Eve in 1972, to the Institute of Clini- 1960. The years 1966 to 1969 were a cal Virology at the University of Bottom: Award of his Doctor honoris causa by Prague crucial time. Harald zur Hau- Erlangen-Nuremberg. “Those University, 1994. sen spent them with Gertrude were happy years,” he recalls. and Werner Henle, a research couple of German origin at the In 1977, he was offered the post Children’s Hospital of Philadel- of Professor of Virology at the phia in the USA. The young zur University of Freiburg and after Hausen came by this job in a much deliberation accepted it. most unusual way: He pulled it “The Freiburg Institute of Vi- out of the wastebasket! Look- rology was well established,” ing for a research assistant, zur Hausen recalls, “but had a the Henles had sent an inquiry relatively poor reputation ow- to Düsseldorf; but because no ing to the public controversy one was interested, their letter surrounding professors’ income had eventually been thrown from other sources. I considered away. “When I accidentally it a challenge to take on the job.” heard about the inquiry,” says Almost his entire team from Er- zur Hausen with a grin, “I went langen went with him. It was in and fished the letter out of the Freiburg that he amassed the wastebasket and applied.” He fundamental findings which insists that he owes much of would later provide the basis his scientific craftsmanship to for the development of the vac- this fortuitous circumstance – cine for cervical cancer. Otmar D. 16 Wiestler, current Chairman and had to cope with in Freiburg, Scientific Director of the- Ger he believes that in the end, he man Cancer Research Center, had more time there for inten- was a young resident physician sive research. In Heidelberg, on in Freiburg at the time and met the other hand, he was obliged Harald zur Hausen on a joint re- to delegate much of the work search project. “He was already that he would have preferred someone for whom we had to tackle himself. But “as man- the highest esteem,” Wiestler aging directors go, I think I was recalls, “and someone we were unusually active as a scientist,” slightly in awe of.” he says, “even if I still ask myself whether I didn’t miss out on a The next challenge came in number of opportunities.” 1983 when the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg “I’ve never felt the need to ex- was in crisis and in urgent need ercise power,” says Harald zur of a new boss. Harald zur Hau- Hausen; “power has never re- sen explains how given the ally excited me.” What he did endless difficulties he was hav- find exciting, though, was - get ing with the administration of ting the chance, as Chairman Freiburg University and with and Scientific Director of a large its then Chancellor, he was not institution, to influence the averse to the idea of a change. course research was taking and “I drafted a concept and was to bring about a change of di- given an opportunity to pres- rection. “I believe I can safely say ent it to the Scientific Council of that I missed few opportunities the DKFZ,” he says. “I was asked of bringing this influence to a number of tough questions, bear here at the DKFZ. That gave including what made me think I me great satisfaction. And I was could run an institution as large even more satisfied when I saw as the DKFZ.” that things really were running very well indeed.” As everyone will attest, he was soon running the DKFZ very well And apart from science, what indeed – and continued doing does Harald zur Hausen the so for twenty years from 1983 man consider important? “You to 2003. During that period, the can’t really separate the two,” German Cancer Research Cen- he replies, thoughtfully placing ter in Heidelberg evolved into his large blue coffee cup with one of the world’s leading can- the initials HzH on a small table. cer research institutions. Even “What has always been impor- his former critics were soon full tant to me personally,” he re- of praise for zur Hausen as both flects, “is to approach both peo- scientist and science manager. ple and things with a certain Only zur Hausen himself secret- equanimity and friendliness. I ly harbored doubts. “I won’t try hope I’ve succeeded in this in to hide it – I spent 20 years won- the main.” dering whether the decision to leave Freiburg for Heidelberg was the right one.” Despite all the problems that he had 17 A Great Nose for Talent MICHAEL A research center depends for its success on its “brilliant minds”. Harald zur Hausen attracted BOUTROS many such minds to the DKFZ. Here are just a few.

From Harvard Medical School to But it seems you were still able for all kinds of problems, and the DKFZ – how come? to convince Harald zur Hausen we’re cooperating with many of your idea? groups both here at the Center In 2002, I had been a postdoc and elsewhere, such as with col- at Harvard for three years and Yes, he was immediately excited leagues from the MD Anderson was looking for a place where I by the idea and ready to sup- Cancer Center in the USA. could build up a junior research port our high-risk project. group. So the announcement of What did October 6 mean for the Theodor Boveri groups at And it paid off? you? the DKFZ came at just the right moment. Absolutely. We actually suc- What a day that was! The televi- ceeded in transferring the sion crews, the hubbub and the But your special field was not in system to human cells and excitement all over the DKFZ – fact cancer research at all. here found a number of new it was better than winning the signal factors. One of our PhD World Cup! That’s right. We were studying students has just finished her signal pathways in cells with a thesis in which she examined fairly new technology known as whether these factors are regu- RNAi screens. Using RNA inter- lated differently in tumor tissue, ference, we were able to sup- for instance. Work is also being press just about any gene in or- done to determine whether Professor Michael Boutros heads der to study loss of function. We signal factors play a role in the the Signaling and Functional were working exclusively with development of cancer. We’re Genomics division. He is inter- the Drosophila fruit fly, and also planning the next step. We ested in the signal factors that there was no way of knowing intend to study which factors control cell replication and whether our approach would in cancer cells are responsible survival and therefore play a work in human cells. But that for the frequently observed re- role in the origin of cancer. To of course was a precondition for sistance to chemotherapeutics find out which functions a gene using RNAi screening in cancer and, vice versa, which factors has, scientists use a technique research. make the cancer cells particu- known as RNA interference. larly susceptible. Our goal is to Boutros has received prizes for be able to use this knowledge in his work, including the Johann therapy one day. Georg Zimmermann Prize for Cancer Research, which in 2007 How has your area of research was awarded to both him and developed on the whole? Harald zur Hausen jointly.

There’s huge interest in it. Here at the German Cancer Research Center, we’re offering courses on RNAi screening and always have one or two visitors in the lab who want to learn the method from us. Suppressing individual genes is of course interesting 18 ADELHEID CERWENKA

Back in 2002, you had a well- a coffee?” In the beginning, juvants play a role in the tumor paid job with a pharmaceutical I made the mistake of say- vaccines being developed here company in Vienna. Why did you ing “Yes,” and then we talked at the DKFZ, where we’re trying nevertheless apply to the DKFZ? about this and that and before to provide a vaccine against the I knew it the time was up and body’s own cancer cells. At that time I wanted to get we hadn’t really covered all the back into academic research. I points. So after that, my strate- had been a postdoctoral fellow gy was always to say “No” when in the USA for six years before he offered me a coffee, if only to that and had done some very make sure we got through the successful research in the area agenda. of innate immunity. So, when I saw an ad in DIE ZEIT for junior How has your research at the group leaders at the DKFZ, I ap- DKFZ developed? plied. Very positively. I’ve been able to And you were invited to give a continue working in my field, talk… which is natural killer cells. I have a lot of freedom, I’ve been Yes, fortunately. There were 15 able to work absolutely inde- candidates and we all had to pendently, and with a great deal give a talk as well as being in- of help from the Center I soon terviewed individually. That’s succeeded in obtaining fund- Dr Adelheid Cerwenka heads when I met Harald zur Hausen ing. My team has since grown the Boveri junior research group for the first time and I remem- from four to nine people and “Innate Immunity.” She has ber thinking: “What a charm- I’ve found a number of coopera- received a number of awards for ing man!” The initial contact tion partners here at the Center. her work, including the Marie was very brief, but I was most Together with Lutz Gissmann, Curie Excellence Grant and a impressed. Two days after re- for example, I’m investigating Helmholtz Association Prize, turning to Vienna, I received an how natural killer cells react to awarded to her together with email offering me the job. cells infected by papillomavirus. Michael Boutros.

Was Harald zur Hausen just as What about the field of innate charming when it came to ne- immunity as a whole? gotiating your contract? The field is booming, especially He most certainly was. The in vaccine research. In addition meetings always took place at to the actual antigen against eight o’clock in the morning. which an immune response is That was tough for me, because to be elicited, vaccines also con- I was traveling from Vienna to tain so-called adjuvants. These Heidelberg by train. And when are components that enhance he greeted me on my arrival in the immune response, and they the morning, he always asked: act via the innate immune sys- “Ms. Cerwenka, would you like tem. Needless to say, these ad- 19 PETER liCHTER

Dr. Lichter, can you recall your How did the other scientists in are being analyzed continues to first meeting with Harald zur the DKFZ react? increase, it’s possible that every Hausen? patient will soon have access to They were very skeptical, and individualized treatment. Yes, of course. It was in 1989. there was some conflict; but in I was a postdoc at Yale at the such matters Harald zur Hausen Do you still meet Harald zur time and having developed an was just as insistent as he is in Hausen occasionally? entirely new method of deter- his own research. He wouldn’t mining the position of indi- veer from the path he’d taken We meet for lunch every Thurs- vidual genes on chromosomes and stood by his decision, which day at the editorial meetings had some terrific offers in the meant he stood by me too. of the International Journal of USA. However, I really wanted Cancer, of which he is the Edi- to come back to Germany and And the decision proved to be tor-in-Chief. had written a slew of letters, the right one… but never received an answer. So I made a tour of Germany, in Cancer research can’t do with- Professor Peter Lichter heads two weeks giving ten talks, one out genome research; after all, the Molecular Genetics division. of which was at the DKFZ. cancer is a disease of the genes. Among the awards he has won And quite apart from cancer for his research work are the That was the time when the research, the decision to in- experimental part of the Ger- human genome project had just troduce genomics at the DKFZ man Cancer Prize 2002 and the gotten off the ground, so your was visionary. With Annemarie German Cancer Aid Prize 2003. method was very timely. Poustka and others, the DKFZ On the retirement of Harald became the hub of genome re- zur Hausen in May 2002, Peter In the USA, the human genome search in Germany. Lichter became Acting Scientific project was in full swing; in Director of the DKFZ. Germany, though, people were What has genome research extremely skeptical about ge- done for patients? nome research. I addressed the problem directly in my discus- By expanding our investigations sion with Harald zur Hausen, to include the genome, we’ve telling him that I was meet- been able to find a number of ing with rejection everywhere molecular changes in cancer I went. “Well we have to do cells. There are now drugs such something about that!” he said, as Glivec and various antibodies and that was when I knew that that target changed structures this was the right place for me. in cancer cells. We’re now able to discern specific differences between tumors and decide which therapy has the best chance of success. And if the speed at which entire genomes

20 PETER FRANK liCHTER LYKO

How did you come to the DKFZ? cer research. He found it inter- goal – to do research that is rel- esting and obviously thought it evant to patients and to make I was in a fortunate position must have some future. sure our findings are used in back then. I had a five-year clinical practice. And if the link Emmy Noether Grant from the And how has epigenetics devel- between research and clinical German Research Foundation oped in cancer research? practice is a lot closer now than (DFG) and after spending two it used to be, that’s due in large years abroad with Rudolf Jae- There’s no stopping it! These measure to the initiative of nisch at the Whitehead Insti- days, we no longer look to see Harald zur Hausen. And I’m re- tute in Cambridge, USA, wanted whether individual genes are ally grateful to him for that. to come back to Germany. When methylated or not, we start with I first applied to the DKFZ, I ac- the entire genome. Epigenetics tually wrote to Ingrid Grummt, has developed into epigenom- whom I had known previously. ics. We know the enzymes that She no doubt supported my ap- transfer the methyl groups, the plication, but of course I still had methyltransferases. We know to meet the Scientific Director. that epigenetic changes are not restricted to DNA and that pro- And how did the meeting with teins can also be affected. Here Harald zur Hausen go? it’s not only methylation, but acetylation that takes place, for First of all, the meeting was ar- example, and there are already ranged at what for me was an drugs on the market that act on unusually early hour – at eight methylation. in the morning! And then the discussion was incredibly brief. Do you see the Nobel Laureate After a quarter of an hour I was nowadays? finished and I thought: “So was that all?” But I’d been accepted, Of course we don’t meet regu- and a few days later I had the larly any more. But a little while acceptance in writing. ago we were invited to the same dinner and he was very Epigenetics was still a new sub- interested in my research. We Professor Frank Lyko heads the ject then. Did you have to con- talked for a long time. I always Epigenetics division. He has vince Harald zur Hausen? looked up to Harald zur Hausen, received many awards for his even before the Nobel Prize, be- work. In 2004, the journal Tech- No, he is himself a virologist. He cause he was so tenacious in his nology Review selected him as knew that epigenetic changes pursuit of his idea that viruses one of the 100 most innovative in viruses can silence genes, a can trigger cancer. From the dis- young scientists in the world. process in which methylation covery of the scientific basis to plays a crucial role. My idea was its clinical use in people. For me to transfer this concept to can- personally, that’s the supreme

21 Harald zur Hausen receives the “Key to the DKFZ” from his predecessor Otto Westphal on May 1, 1983.

“A STROKE OF LUCK FOR THE DKFZ” Transformation into a world-renowned research center

In the mid-1970s, the German funds and publishing far too lit- zur Hausen, the man who had Cancer Research Center did not tle, there was infighting among succeeded in putting an end have the best reputation, and the directors, and even the sci- to the internal strife and cre- some even felt the institution entists were at daggers drawn ating an atmosphere in which had lost its way. The low point as they each jealously guarded scientific creativity could thrive. probably came on March 6, their own turf. In Krammer’s “His perseverance, clear prin- 1976, when Rainer Flöhl, at the words: “We needed to get our ciples, and cogent concepts” time Chief Science Editor of act together – and fast.” had turned a “motley crew” into the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zei- an institution engaged in top- tung, described it as suffering Writing again about the Ger- flight research. from “both lack of leadership man Cancer Research Center and inadequate competence in on its 40th anniversary in 2004, A remarkable turnaround. Look- its field.” The diagnosis could Flöhl gave the DKFZ scientists ing back, says Krammer, it took scarcely have been more damn- top marks. In his opinion, the zur Hausen a surprisingly short ing. Center had survived its teeth- time to push through the long ing troubles, and its scientists overdue reforms and give the Peter Krammer, who started were now at the top of the pub- DKFZ a new image. This success, working at the DKFZ as a young lication and citation rankings. or so Krammer believes, was scientist in the crisis-ridden Some might even be considered due first and foremost to zur 1970s, vividly recalls the way for the Nobel Prize… Hausen’s personality as an in- things used to be: “It was a tricky tegrator and to the purposeful situation back then. Things had Nor was Flöhl, by then the dean way in which he gradually pre- really gone awry.” The DKFZ was of German science journalism, pared the ground for a change publicly criticized for pocketing sparing in his praise for Harald of direction. 22 One of the biggest changes represented the scientific com- 1990s. The eight independent was the internal review sys- munity. And he is held in high institutes, each with its own tem introduced soon after zur esteem for that, even today.” director, were replaced by Re- Hausen took office on May 1, The traits that make a scientist search Programs, each repre- 1983. Together with members – love of experimentation and sented by a spokesperson. This of the Scientific Council, the fascination with the evolution flexible structure was necessary Management Board carefully of knowledge – are “a passion to cope with the interdisciplin- scrutinized the DKFZ’s various that has always driven Harald ary demands of modern cancer divisions. The researchers were zur Hausen,” opines Krammer. research. Just how insular and asked to report on their hypoth- rigid the institute’s structure eses and findings and to outline The second fundamental had been, and how high-hand- their objectives for the future. change came about in the early edly some institute directors The internal presentations were then supplemented by regular external evaluations. As Harald zur Hausen himself explains: “We always attached the greatest importance to recruiting the best people in their field.” These international evaluations were new back then, but these days are a standard management tool in almost every research institute. The evaluations have proven to be what the DKFZ hoped they would be: not au- thoritarian controls, but mea- sures designed to promote quality, create transparency, generate interdisciplinary concepts, and distribute resources where they are needed. “Sometimes it was a little too much of a good thing,” admits Peter Krammer; but in the end, everyone realized how they personally and the DKFZ as an institution could benefit from the reviews.

The scientists ultimately relin- Top: German Research Minister Heinz Riesenhuber attends the inauguration quished their initial skepticism of the first laboratory for Applied Tumor Virology, 1987. and accepted the regular re- Bottom: Visit from Lothar Späth, Premier of Baden-Württemberg, 1990. views. That they did so, Kram- mer feels, had a lot to do with the fact that zur Hausen re- mained a researcher among researchers, and hence one whose ability to assess their work in the lab they could trust. “He was of course an administrator,” says Krammer, “but at the same time 23 German Research Minister Jürgen Rüttgers (second could behave, was dramatically the two could there be any real from right) acquainting himself with the DKFZ in 1995. demonstrated immediately progress. He therefore advocat- From left: Head of Press and Public Relations Hilke after zur Hausen took office, ed a close link between the new Stamatiadis-Smidt, Professor Ethel-Michele de Viliers, when one of the directors sim- research institute and the Uni- Member of Parliament for Heidelberg Dr. Karl A. Lamers, ply locked the doors of his insti- versity Hospital, proposing that and Professor Harald zur Hausen. tute! the DKFZ have its own clinical units. Neither of these sugges- With greater flexibility, qual- tions produced any results at ity assurance, and international first. connections all in place, zur Hausen began to treat a seri- But that, too, changed for the ous birth defect of the DKFZ better when Harald zur Hau- – the absence of a link to clini- sen took office. Both clinicians cal practice, which was a short- and scientists engaged in basic coming that set the German research began to realize that Cancer Research Center apart since their efforts were meant from most of the world’s major to focus on cancer patients and cancer research institutes. The their well-being, close coopera- original idea had been different. tion was essential. In addition Paragraph 1 of the draft consti- to the Heidelberg-Mannheim tution for an “Institute for Tu- Tumor Center established in mor Research and Treatment in 1979, structures were created Heidelberg” of 1958 states that to foster cooperation in what the task of the new institute was sometimes an uneasy al- shall be to “conduct research liance. In 1992, at the initiative into cancer and treat cancer of Harald zur Hausen, the Uni- patients.” Even Karl Heinrich versity Hospital and German Bauer, the inspiration behind Cancer Research Center decided the Center eventually opened to set up clinical cooperation in 1964, stressed time and again units, whose purpose would be that it should be about people. to translate research findings No one wanted an “institute into clinical practice as quickly for the tumor pathology of rats as possible. There are now nine and mice.” There was cancer such ‘clinical bridges.’ Then, in research on the one hand and 2004, the National Center for clinical practice on the other, Tumor Diseases Heidelberg but only from the interplay of (NCT) was founded as a coop- 24 erative venture by the German things should talk about them Cancer Research Center, Heidel- and so need a sympathetic berg University Hospital, Thorax press as well. All of which have Clinic Heidelberg, and German made him “a stroke of luck for Cancer Aid. The NCT’s mission is the DKFZ.” to link patient care with state- of-the-art cancer research. The NCT, which will move into its new premises at the end of 2009, was also a brainchild of Harald zur Hausen and was initiated while he was still in office.

As a physician, zur Hausen also realized the importance to cancer patients of medical information from independent sources. Together with the then Head of the DKFZ’s Press and Public Re- lations Department, Hilke Sta- matiadis-Smidt, he created the Telephone Cancer Information Service to provide information for patients and their families.

“He’s a doer,” remarks Peter Krammer. And a man of many talents whose idiosyncrasies were not infrequently a cause of annoyance – as when he insisted on scheduling board meetings at eight o’clock in the morning. “Of course that served a purpose,” says Krammer. “With everyone else still half asleep, he was invariably able to Top: Harald zur Hausen and Professor Rainer Haas, Head of the Clinical Coop- push through his ideas.” eration Unit Molecular Hematology/Oncology, 1996. Bottom left: When Harald zur Hausen retired in March 2003, one of the Harald zur Hausen combines guests was the then Mayor of Heidelberg Beate Weber. many outstanding character traits, says Krammer, from a feel for excellent science and a great nose for talent to political and diplomatic skills and the con- viction – in his day not exactly widespread in scientific circles – that people who are doing good 25 “OUR TASK IS TO BUILD ON THIS SUCCESS” Interview with Dr. Josef Puchta, the Administrative-Commercial Director of the DKFZ

The senior managers’ new of- Dr. Puchta, the German Cancer building at least, the worst will fices at the German Cancer Re- Research Center is one big build- be over by the end of 2009. We search Center (DKFZ) reflect the ing site. It looks like everything is want to make the building fit organization’s self-confidence, being turned upside down. for the future. And for me that openness, and transparency. For means constantly improving visitors, the hushed corridors Dr. Josef Puchta: What you see the quality of the facilities and are like an oasis of peace in the here is total renovation in prog- fostering the scientists’ creativ- middle of a construction site. ress – but it’s still business as ity by providing suitable work- Building means development usual. The main building is being conditions. and momentum, and that is ing fixed up in two stages – all what is happening at the DKFZ. eight stories of it. Next we in- How many people work in the tend to enlarge and modernize Center? the animal building and to put up a radiology research and Our main building was origi- development center in the im- nally designed for 800 people. mediate vicinity. Unfortunately, In recent years, we’ve expanded this means a lot of noise and a lot and right now have about inconvenience for the people 2,500 employees. working here, but in the main

The futuristic building for the 7-Tesla high- field scanner symbol- izes what the DKFZ as a whole aspires to provide: outstanding working conditions to attract the best minds. 26 The major renovation work currently in progress at the DKFZ should be completed in 2010.

You joined the DKFZ as Admin- What character traits struck you Harald zur Hausen was very istrative-Commercial Director in your dealings with Harald zur successful as a science manager. in 1996. What were your first Hausen? What was his secret? impressions? What impressed me most I once told Harald zur Hausen I saw the job as a great chal- about him is how self-disci- that I know of nobody with such lenge, both because of the size plined and organized he is. His a natural gift for so much of of the institution and because time management is remark- what people are taught at man- of its focus. This is no place for able. Many things take him no agement school. He always tack- figureheads. What made it easi- more than a minute, and he fre- led problems intuitively, with a er for me was inheriting a team quently gets through a discus- great talent for leadership and of very good people who were sion in no more than a quarter organization. And he was vision- able to handle the day-to-day of an hour, at most half an hour. ary in recognizing paradigm business without my help. They There’s the famous clock he al- shifts, without ever being a slave were people I could count on ways had in front of him, which to the latest trend. I think in and together with them I was at times inspired me to sit with case of doubt he’d rather swim able to work on the Center’s a clock in front of me, too – not against the tide than with it. processes at a very high level. that it helped much! But there’s That’s a character trait we have I think I can safely say that the no question that if it was really in common. He showed great Center’s commercial operations important, he always took the foresight in discerning the po- and infrastructure are in great time required. What I also find tential of new areas of research shape right now. very impressive is his ability – genomics, for instance – and to consciously and intensively lost no time in recruiting the And how would you describe think his way into people and best people for the DKFZ; scien- your first encounters with the situations. tists like Peter Lichter, Annema- Scientific Director Harald zur rie Poustka, and Christof Niehrs, Hausen? When he was awarded the Nobel to name but a few. He’s also a Prize, a great deal was written strong integrator. Well frankly, in the first few about his extraordinary perse- Whether his management style weeks it was rather like meet- verance. Did that strike you, too? has anything to do with cur- ing an icon face to face. At least rent management practices is that’s how a lot of people ap- Yes, indeed. That’s something another question. In fact, the proached him. He also radiated that I would stress, too. And he’s question doesn’t even arise. In a certain aloofness at first and tenacious and persistent in all this business, the only thing I wasn’t sure whether we’d be areas, not just those relating to that really counts is success, and able to work together. But de- his research. But the dogged- he’s certainly been successful. spite our very different mentali- ness comes hand in hand with No doubt about it. In any case, ties, our mutual esteem grew elegance, great self-assurance, there’s no such thing as a man- quickly and the seven years we fierce ambition, and a tendency agement style that promises worked together were an inter- to understatement. He’s a high- success, even in modern man- esting and enriching time. And ly interesting and very com- agement. What’s important I’m proud to say that since then plex person. The world would is an authentic management we’ve become friends. be poorer if it didn’t have such style. And Harald zur Hausen is people. authentic. 27 What is the significance of the cheeks. It has also had a big structure our scientists need to Nobel Prize for the DKFZ as an impact outside the DKFZ, both work creatively and successfully. institution? here in Germany and abroad. One thing is already clear: In The Nobel Prize is the seal the next few years, we’ll have to The prestige the prize bestows of quality par excellence. It move into high gear financially. is so powerful that it reflects means you’re playing in ‘the big Only then can we safeguard on the DKFZ, too. It’s a fantas- leagues.’ The dimension the No- the high scientific quality of tic thing for everybody work- bel Prize has in people’s minds is the German Cancer Research ing here, especially the young indeed astounding. Center and keep pace with the people and the PhD students. generously funded internation- And it’s also very emotional. What comes after the Nobel al research centers with which The most moving moment for Prize? Where does the German we have to compete. The nicest me – more emotional that the Cancer Research Center go from email that I personally received awards ceremony in Stockholm here? in connection with the Nobel – was the improvised party on Prize came from one of my col- the afternoon of October 6, the Well as Germany’s former na- leagues at the Hebrew Univer- day the prize was announced. tional soccer coach Sepp Her- sity in Jerusalem, who wrote: At the invitation of the DKFZ berger used to say: “After the “Congratulations. Welcome to Management Board, well over game is before the game.” Our the club!” You can hardly put it 1,000 people came over to the task is to build on this success, more concisely than that. Communication Center to ap- which certainly won’t be easy. plaud Harald zur Hausen. And The DKFZ is rather like a large the applause was never-ending! opera house – we also have our It was phenomenal, truly awe- prima donnas. But that’s also inspiring, the kind of thing that the beauty of it – being able to happens only once in a lifetime. see these stars in action and ad- I saw many a veteran employee miring them for their success. with tears running down We have excellent researchers, their and our task is to continue at- tracting the best people. One of my most important jobs, therefore, is to ensure that the DKFZ has the financial resources it needs. Only then can we provide the infra-

28 The German Cancer Research Cen- Imprint ter (DKFZ) is one of the world’s leading biomedical research insti- Published by tutes. Its mission is to systemati- German Cancer Research Center cally investigate the mechanisms in the Helmholtz Association of cancer pathogenesis and to detect and define the risk factors. Authors The findings from this basic re- Claudia Eberhard-Metzger search are used to develop new Dr. Stefanie Seltmann approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Edited by German Cancer Research Center Employees 2165 Press and Public Relations Scientists 971 Im Neuenheimer Feld 280 Guest scientists 164 D-69120 Heidelberg Technical personnel 850 [email protected] (As of Dec. 31, 2008) www.dkfz.de

The German Federal Government Design concept provides 90 percent of the funding Dagmar Anders, Different Arts, of the German Cancer Research www.different-arts.de Center, and the State of Baden- Württemberg the remaining 10 Translation percent. Additional income stems Bronwen Saunders from outside funding, license rev- Printed by enues, donations, and bequests. CITY-DRUCK HEIDELBERG

• Cell Biology and Tumor Biology Photographic credits • Structural and Functional p. 1, 14, and 15 (medallion): The Nobel Foundation Genomics p. 2, 14, and 15 center: dpa Picture Alliance • Cancer Risk Factors and p. 3 and 25 bottom: DKFZ, Yan de Andres Prevention p. 4: DKFZ, Martin Kemmet, • Tumor Immunology p. 4/5: Behnisch Architekten • Imaging and Radiooncology p. 6 and 7: GlaxoSmithKline • Infection and Cancer p. 5, 6, 13, 18, 19, 20, and 21: DKFZ, Tobias Schwerdt • Translational Cancer Research p. 8 and 9: Lutz Gissmann p. 10, 11, 12, 16, and 17: private photographs Account for donations p. 14 center: The Nobel Foundation 2008, calligra- Deutsche Bank Heidelberg phy: Susan Duvnäs, photo: private p. 14 bottom and 28: DKFZ, Brigitte Engelhardt Sort code 672 700 03 p. 15 top and bottom right: The Nobel Foundation Account no. 0157008 2008, Torbjörn Zadig p. 22, 23, 24, and 25 top: DKFZ, Josef Wiegand p. 26: DKFZ, Marco Müller p. 27: Peter Sauer