Personalized medicine against cancer / Creating new active crop protection ingredients with biotechnology / Electric mobility: materials for the cars of the future

Leverkusen, November 2011 - The battle against cancer, safeguarding the food supply and enhanced energy efficiency in daily life are the main topics in the recently published 23rd edition of research, the Bayer scientific magazine. The publication provides a fascinating insight into Bayer's exciting development projects. Lavishly illustrated graphics, attractive photo sequences and interviews with both Bayer scientists and external specialists from renowned research institutions give an overview of current scientific issues and proposals to resolve the challenges at hand. One new feature is the multimedia research experience: scanning the codes of selected articles will bring these topics to life on a smartphone, iPad or tablet PC or play a video about the subject.

Gene analysis for more efficient cancer treatment

In recent months, there has been a lot of discussion about personalized medicine, but what exactly is meant by the term? Every person is unique, and so is every disease. The decoding of the human genome has made possible a new era of molecular medicine. Doctors today are increasingly using the individual characteristics from the very innermost regions of our cells: new diagnostic methods can now provide a detailed molecular image and thus deliver crucial information on the best treatment for each individual. In the future, physicians will be able to treat diseases even more precisely. Bayer scientists are therefore using state-of-the-art biotechnology methods to work on, for example, new, targeted cancer therapies, thus making an important contribution on the road to the personalized medicine of the future.Since 2006, a directive has been in force throughout Europe in order to achieve greater safety in pediatric medicine: before then, only a handful of medications proven effective for adults had also been tested and approved especially for children. Bayer HealthCare has set up a special working group to support the development of test concepts for children. This will ensure that pediatricians have a larger selection of authorized medications at their disposal in the future.

Using biotechnology to create new crop protection agents and stopping mosquitoes from smelling

A very special child was born on October 31, 2011 - the seven billionth person on this planet. Improving the supply of food for all these people in the long term will require the systematic application of new technologies, for which nature often provides the perfect models. Bayer scientists are now using bacterial cells that have been optimized by means of biotechnology methods to manufacture active ingredient molecules for crop protection agents. Without these efficient micro-organisms, the development of the active ingredient indaziflam for the new herbicide Alion would almost have failed. But the scientists reached into their box of biotech tricks to get their miniature helpers into ideal shape.Not quite so tiny is the Anopheles mosquito, which can transmit a life-threatening parasite - the malaria pathogen - to its victim with every bite. Scientists from Bayer CropScience are now using a completely new strategy to clamp down on the dangerous bloodsuckers: they are searching for substances that selectively block the odor receptors of mosquitoes and thus make them unable to detect smells. This prevents the insects from locating either their victims or a sexual partner, which should crucially stem the spread of the topical disease in the warmer regions of our planet.

High-quality materials for solar modules with insulating properties and electric mobility

But sun and warmth also have their positive sides: the solar industry is booming worldwide with Europe playing a pioneering role. At present, solar modules that generate electricity or utilize solar heat have to be fastened to house roofs by roofers using a complex process. Working together with partners, plastics experts from Bayer MaterialScience have now developed novel solutions that exploit solar radiation while serving directly as roofing. These innovative sun catchers are significantly lighter in weight than a standard roof tile and some even possess outstanding insulating properties for buildings.

Electricity will also be needed to power the cars of the future. Bayer's experts offer versatile solutions to the new challenges of electric mobility, ranging from materials for lightweight bodywork and efficient batteries to plastics for charging posts and special adhesives and coatings

research, the Bayer scientific magazine, can be ordered free of charge by phone (+49 214/30-57546), fax (+49 214/30-57547) or e-mail (email('serviceline','bayer','com',"")).

The new edition can also be downloaded from the internet at www.research.bayer.com.

Find more information at www.bayer.com.

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This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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