Acute and chronic inflammations are the cause of a variety of diseases. For example, acute inflammations occur as part of the common cold, whereas chronic inflammations are responsible for health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and dementia. Diseases relating to the heart and circulatory system, such as heart attacks and strokes are responsible for 42 % of all deaths in Germany, whereas cancer causes 35 % of deaths. Many other widespread diseases such as diabetes mellitus, allergies, and autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis or rheumatic diseases, are perpetuated by inflammatory processes. Finally, inflammatory reactions play a significant role in the process of prosthesis loosening, for a knee or hip replacement for example. Thus, inflammatory processes are involved in the emergence and progression of some of the most important common diseases. Especially in states with a large number of older residents, as is the case here in Saxony-Anhalt, these diseases are not only a problem for those who are affected by them, but also a large burden on the healthcare system.

To understand, prevent, and cure inflammation is thus a preeminent goal of medical research. Because of the complexity of the human body, this goal represents an enormous challenge. Inflammations do not follow a specific pattern; rather, every inflammatory process is influenced by various factors in the human body and each form of inflammation follows its own rules. Explaining and understanding the  specific reactions that occur during various inflammatory reactions is one of the most important tasks of modern medicine, and this task is the key to handling the diseases mentioned above. Because of this, our work follows the motto “Understand Inflammation – Cure Diseases”, as shown by the rise and fall of an inflammatory reaction in our logo.

Various versions of our logo can be downloaded here.  If other versions are required (greyscale, higher resolution, an English version etc.), please contact Martina Beyrau.