Dresden (dpa/sn) - At the Dresden location of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), nationwide unique conditions for the development of future technologies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are to be created. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) sees great opportunities, especially in the close connection with areas such as artificial intelligence, as he said on Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the first construction phase on the site of the university hospital. The Free State is financing the new building with 20 million euros.
According to the DKFZ, the five-storey building should be ready in April 2027 and will house and interlink areas of oncological basic research and cancer prevention. The focus is on smart sensors, robotics or AI and the development of technological methods for personalised, risk-adapted cancer prevention and early detection. In a research outpatient clinic, citizens should be able to find out about prevention options, determine their personal cancer risk and take part in scientific studies.
According to DKFZ CEO Michael Baumann, there is an enormous need for research and "a huge potential for application" in future technologies for tumor diagnostics and therapy. With the excellence university TU, the largest industrial cluster for microelectronics in Europe and a particularly founder-friendly climate, Dresden offers the best conditions for fundamental developments in this field. In addition, the previously established facilities for cancer research close to the patient can be linked. In a second phase, an expansion of the new building is planned until 2029, subject to the corresponding financing commitment.
