GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung operates a unique accelerator for heavy ions. Researchers from around the world use this facility for experiments that help them make fascinating discoveries in basic research. In addition, they continually develop new and impressive applications.

Research on radiotherapy for brain tumors: Discovery could improve prevention of radiation damage
The image shows a cross-section of two organoids with large cavities. Nerve cells are colored green, the choroid plexus-like cells are colored red, cell nuclei are colored blue.
In a pioneering study, an international research team has uncovered a previously poorly understood mechanism of brain toxicity after radiotherapy for brain tumors. This can better explain the radiographic changes in patients treated for a brain tumor with charged particles or photons. This mechanistic discovery could open up new ways of treating and preventing radiation damage, which until now has often limited the effectiveness of radiotherapy...
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Quark Matter 2025: Visit to GSI/FAIR
Tha HADES experiment, among others, was part of the visit.
More than 50 conference delegates of the XXXI. Quark Matter Conference participated in a visit to GSI/FAIR. The Quark Matter, one of the world's largest specialist conferences on ultra-relativistic nuclear collisions, took place in Frankfurt this year. During the excursion to Darmstadt, which took place in the framework of the conference program, the participants gained insights into the existing accelerator facilities and experiments of GSI as well as into the construction project FAIR.
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FAIR – the future accelerator facility

In the next few years the new international accelerator facility FAIR, one of the largest research projects worldwide, will be erected at GSI. At FAIR an unprecedented variety of experiments will be possible. Thereby physicists from all around the world will be able to gain new insights into the structure of matter and the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the present.
Learn more about FAIR: GSI about FAIR or FAIR web page

Cancer Treatment with Ion Beams

GSI is the birthplace of a new form of cancer treatment. This development was the result of many years of research in conjunction with GSI’s large ion-beam accelerator system. The advantage of this new treatment modality is that the ion beam selectively damages tumor tissues while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. More...

The Creation of New Elements

Chemical elements are produced in stars and stellar explosions. Elements are the building blocks of all materials that surround us – including every atom of our bodies. The universe is also home to a large number of atoms that do not occur on earth. One of the key tasks of the researchers at GSI is to attempt to create previously unknown elements. More...