Universität zu Lübeck
Ratzeburger Allee 160
23538 Lübeck
Germany

 www.kinderklinik-luebeck.de

Project Leader

Prof. Dr. Olaf Hiort Phone: 0049-(0)451-500-2191  Fax: 0049-(0)451-500-6867  Contact

Project Staff

Institute Presentation

The University of Lübeck has one of the two medical faculties in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Together with its partner university, the Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, it has the joint patient care facility University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein at both campi Kiel and Lübeck.

The Department of Paediatrics at the University of Lübeck has a long standing history in counselling patients with Disorders of Sex Development as well as performing basic research in the field.  The coordinator of EuroDSD, Prof. Olaf Hiort, is chief of the Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes in the Department of Paediatrics. The special services for DSD patients are incorporated into the Division in a cooperative design with the Department of Paediatric Surgery. 

During the last 15 years, approximately 1750 DSD patients were cared for at the University of Lübeck, which has led to extensive clinical, biochemical and molecular research activities.  From 2002 to 2005, structured research was facilitated in the form of a clinical research ground “Intersex – from gene to gender” funded by the  German Research Counsil (DFG KFO 111). At present, Prof. Hiort is joint coordinator (together with Prof. Ute Thyen) of the German  Network “Disorders of Sex Development”, which is funded by the  German Ministry for Research and Education (BMBF). This network joins several universities in Germany for basic and clinical research activities in the field of DSD. Currently, the second funding period is reaching its end. Over the past 6 years, approximately 60 scientific manuscripts addressing DSD have been published in international peer reviewed accredited journals.

The University of Lübeck will take over the coordination of EuroDSD to pursue its success in basic science knowledge of urogenital development and to develop translational research strategies that will help DSD patients in a sustainable and structured fashion.  Additionally, it will serve as a clinical centre in EuroDSD, thereby involved in several of the work packages.  Directly, it is involved in WP 03, characterizing co-factors needed for modulation of androgen responses in sex development.