History

Establishment of the NAR

The Network Aging Research was established in 2006. Founding director is Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Konrad Beyreuther. This Network was laid out for permanency and assumed its work with its opening ceremony in July 2007. The partnership of the Network was already expanded with new members since its foundation and it is aiming to include as many different research areas as possible to complete the interdisciplinary aspect of the Network and offer the public the best available advise and information.

History of the DZFA

On September 30, 1995, the German Center for Research on Aging at the University of Heidelberg was jointly founded as a public law foundation of the State of Baden-Württemberg by the German government and the State of Baden-Württemberg. The Center officially started its work on March 20, 1996. Lack of financial support from the Federal Ministry forced the Center to close on 31 December 2005.

During the short history of the DZFA, the institution proved to be one of the smallest, but also one of the finest research institution in the country, displayed by a great amount of research funds and numerous publications. Originally the plan was to integrate 5 departments until 1997, starting with the the Department of Social and Economical Gerontology and the Department of Human Development. In the year 2000 the Department of Epidemiology was added. Under the guidance of this Department a young team of researchers established the connection to the molecular biology with the research of moleculare mechanism of the aging process in November of 2004. The planned Department of Rehabilitation was never realized because the State Ministry blocked any further expansion of the DZFA.