Medical PhysicsCelebrating our long-lasting Cooperation in Medical Physics with Chile in April 2024

Our first summer school in Medical Physics in 2004 was the beginning of the cooperation between the Division Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Clínica Alemana in Santiago de Chile (CAS). In 2009 the division joined the Center of Excellence in Research and Teaching at the Heidelberg Center Latin America (HCLA) of Heidelberg University in Santiago de Chile as subproject “Medical Physics” together with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC) and CAS. Thanks to our 15-years funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) we could increase the visibility of Medical Physics in Chile and South America.

In order to celebrate our 20- and 15-years birthdays, we organized two hybrid scientific events on the topic “Radioresistance”, taking place on April 23^rd at HCLA and on April 25^th 2024 at CAS. We discussed advances in the understanding of radioresistance and its application to cancer treatment strategies. Radiation resistance is a highly studied and recent research topic with implications for clinical application. Radiotherapy is highly individualized in terms of dose distributions based on anatomical and clinical information. Radiation resistance is a major hurdle for successful tumor therapy. Due to the high biological heterogeneity of tumors, not every patient is likely to benefit from the current state-of-the-art therapy for a given tumor type. Technological improvements as well as new biological concepts will drive the development of radiation oncology to further expand the therapeutic scope and precision of radiotherapy. Renown experts from Chile, Germany and France contributed to both events either remotely via Zoom or on site in Chile. Up to 80 online participants from around the globe as well as up to 40 participants in Chile attended these events to discuss and exchange scientific questions and ideas.

Workshop on Apr. 23rd 2024 at HCLA

Symposium on Apr. 25th 2024 at CAS

To celebrate our 15-years birthday of DAAD funding with all people involved, we hosted an official Ceremony on April 23rd 2024 at HCLA. Welcome notes given by Prof. Weller (Vice Rector for International Affairs and Diversity at Heidelberg University), Dr. Schmitt (Head of the Department for Economics, Economic Cooperation, Science and Technology of the German Embassy in Santiago de Chile) as well as by Petra Bogenschneider from DAAD opened the event, followed by short speeches from Prof. Jäkel (DKFZ), Prof. Sánchez Nieto (UC) and Dr. Maturana (CAS). All speakers highlighted the great success of this cooperation and were keen to further develop our scientific partnership in new research and education projects for the next years. 

Download Program of Ceremony here. 

Furthermore, we celebrated our 20-years cooperation with CAS with a special grand round taking place on April 24^th 2024 at CAS. Dr. Cordova explained the whole history our partnership between CAS and DKFZ, starting with his first visit to  DKFZ more than 20 years ago. In his talk, Prof. Jäkel explained the biological rationale for ion beam therapy. Both talks were recorded and can be watched on the following website: 

Click here to watch both videos.