German Cancer Research Center

The German Cancer Research Center (known as the Deutsches Krebs Forschungs Zentrum or simply DKFZ in German), is a cancer research center based in Heidelberg, Germany. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, the largest scientific organization in Germany.

History
The establishment of a national cancer research center in Germany was initiated by Heidelberg surgeon Professor Karl Heinrich Bauer. The DKFZ was set up in 1964 by resolution of the State government of Baden-Wuerttemberg as a foundation under public law. In 1975, the Center became a member of the Association of National Research Centers. The AGF was transformed into the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers in 1995. The Center has also been a member of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) since 1977.

There are seven Research Programs at the DKFZ:
 * Cell Biology and Tumor Biology
 * Structural and Functional Genomics
 * Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
 * Tumor Immunology
 * Innovative Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy
 * Infection and Cancer
 * Translational Cancer Research