Research fraud net widens

More scientists are being drawn into investigations into the biggest research fraud ever uncovered in the German scientific community. The University of Freiburg is now investigating allegations that cancer researcher Roland Mertellsmann and colleagues at the university could have known of falsified published research data.

This follows confirmation by an investigating commission that cancer researchers Friedhelm Herr- mann, Marion Brach and colleagues falsified data published in four respected English-language research journals between 1994 and 1996, while the two worked at the Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin.

The commission has also obtained "convincing documents" showing that Professor Brach and Professor Herrmann gave false information in funding applications. And it has also found evidence of more fraudulent results before 1992. This is why Freiburg University is to investigate alleged forgery between 1990 and 1991.

Professor Mertellsmann, a pioneer in genetic therapy in Germany, co-authored studies with Professor Herrmann and his working group between 1990 and 1991. Professor Mertellsmann issued a statement categorically denying the claims.

The state prosecutor of Baden-Wurttemberg is now investigating whether grant money to Professor Herrmann and Professor Brach was obtained illegally.

The allegations came to light earlier this year after a former junior colleague blew the whistle. Professor Brach, now director of the Institute of Molecular Biology in Lubeck University, has admitted the claims but says she was urged to manipulate the data by her boss, Professor Herrmann.