Team:Heidelberg LSL/Team Scientific Environment

The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is the largest biomedical research institute in Germany and is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers. More than 2,000 staff members, including 850 scientists, are investigating the mechanisms of cancer and are working to identify cancer risk factors. They provide the foundations for developing novel approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. In addition, the staff of the Cancer Information Service offers information about the widespread disease of cancer for patients, their families, and the general public.

The Life-Science Lab in Heidelberg (Heidelberger Life-Science Lab, LSL) is a department of German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and aims at supporting and guiding highly gifted and talented pupils in natural sciences and mathematics. The LSL provides an interdisciplinary scientific environment for young, highly motivated and talented teenagers to foster their personal development. The education is based on responsibility, self-commitment and sustainability. Didactic approaches encompass participation in active scientific research, soft-skill acquiring, collaborative learning and interactive work groups. The different working groups (18 groups in 2012) are guided by scientists and students from the surrounding scientific institutions (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for medical research, University of Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center…). The LSL also provides a completely equipped molecular biology laboratory that is fully accessible to all pupils in this program.