Bad Homburg (ots) – Which innovations and measures can future pandemics be avoided? How can you better protect yourself against pathogens that are transmitted through the air you breathe? Novel masks, tests or medication: on November 11th, the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) digitally announced the four winners of its funding competition “Your idea against droplets”.
In 2021, the EKFS launched an ideas competition for funding of one million euros in order to stimulate and promote the development of new protective measures against droplet and aerosol infections. “If we look at the frequency of pandemics in the past centuries, it is very likely that the current Covid-19 pandemic will not be the only one of this century,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Madeja, CEO of EKFS. “Similar to 1918, when the Spanish flu raged, we still wear mouth and nose covers today and protect ourselves by keeping our distance. We think, however, that Germany’s high technology standards make great advances in infection protection Stimulate research in this area, “explains Madeja.
More than 50 application sketches – mainly from the four areas of material development for masks and filters, early detection of infected people, detection of viruses in the air and the development of medicines to protect against infections – have reached the EKFS. The twelve applicants with the best assessment by the selection jury were asked to submit full applications, which were then assessed by external experts. Finally, the jury selected the four best projects.
The jury consisted of the following people:
– Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Beisiegel (former President of the University of Göttingen) – Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schipanski (former Minister of Science of Thuringia) – Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka (former Federal Minister for Education and Research) – Prof. Dr. Johannes Dichgans (former Vice President of the DFG) – Prof. Dr. Karl Max Einhäupl (former head of the Charité) – Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mlynek (former President of the Helmholtz Association)
After the selection process has been completed, the following four best research projects will be funded by the EKFS with a total of 1.3 million euros:
Dr. Sybelle Goedicke-Fritz, Saarland University, Clinic for General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Homburg / Saar; Project: “We smell Covid-19 – Corona virus detection through odor detection”
Currently, rapid tests are primarily available to contain the Covid pandemic, but they are costly and time-consuming and, above all, unpleasant for children and people with limited ability to cooperate (e.g. disabilities). With the project of the electronic nose, a fast, contact-free diagnostic instrument for the early detection of viruses, but also of other pathogens, is to be established. The device has the ability to detect volatile organic compounds that arise from respiratory infections. With this new screening method, the possibility of a few minutes, inexpensive, non-invasive diagnosis of respiratory infections should be created, which would also be practicable for areas with high numbers of visitors and in public facilities.
Contact: Dr. Sybelle Goedicke-Fritz, Saarland University, Clinic for General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Tel .: + 49 6841 1628301, E-Mail: [email protected]
Dr. Thomas Grunwald, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig; Project: “Aerocatch for respiratory masks and room filter systems”
Existing respiratory masks can hold back, reduce or inactivate viruses and bacteria. However, not all functionalities are possible at the same time and, due to the pore size, make breathing significantly more difficult. In the “Aerocatch” project, a new type of tissue is to be developed which binds viruses, bacteria and fungal spores and at the same time kills them. The basic structure is the genetic material DNA, which naturally has an antimicrobial effect. These DNA networks are also to be optimized by incorporating pathogen-binding molecules such as biopolymers. The main application of this technology is as a filter material for respiratory masks or room filter systems. The aim is to bind the pathogens to the surface of the tissue and to drastically reduce their infectivity. This is intended to contain the spread. At the end of the project, the applicants aim to deliver a fabric-like filter with which airborne pathogens can be filtered and inactivated.
Contact: Britta Paasche, Press and Public Relations, Tel .: +49 341 35536 9322; Email: [email protected]
Dr. Laura Paulowski, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Infections program area, National Reference Center for Mycobacteria, Borstel; Project: “Aerofix: Detection of Pathogens in Breathing Air”
The development of a simple, fast and handy test system is to be realized with the “Aerofix” project: Similar to an alcohol tester, corona viruses, but also other pathogens, are to be detected in the exhaled air as simultaneously as possible. For this purpose, artificially produced aerosols, but also the exhaled air of healthy and sick subjects, are researched. A special sensor surface made of graphene, carbon atoms arranged like honeycombs, is used. The necessary specificity and sensitivity are achieved through additional binding to antibodies. The pathogen binds synchronously, primarily to the graph net and secondarily to the antibodies. The change in conductivity is then used as a detection signal with which the presence of critical concentrations z. B. can be detected by corona viruses in the air.
Contact: Dr. Laura Paulowski, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Tel .: +49 4537 188 2110, E-Mail: [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Michael Bachmann, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute for Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research (FWP), Dresden; Project: “Viroprotect: inhalation drug to prevent infection”
It is already evident today that complete protection against Covid-19 in the entire population through immunization cannot be achieved in the foreseeable future and that there will continue to be patients with life-threatening courses and serious long-term effects. In addition, there is a risk that new virus variants can appear that can even break the vaccine protection. It is therefore imperative, in addition to vaccines, to develop drugs that prevent the virus from multiplying and spreading and effectively treat those who are already ill. The aim of the “Viroprotect” idea is to develop a new type of inhalation drug and to examine its effectiveness. The aim is to create preparations that enable passive as well as active immune protection without vaccination. Combined administration of these drugs is intended to prevent the development and spread of an infection as early as possible.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Michael Bachmann, Institute for Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Tel .: +49 351 260 3223, E-Mail: [email protected]
Link to the recording of the press event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3FsA7z_0U&t=5s
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) – promoting research. Help people.
The non-profit Else Kröner-Fresenius-Foundation is dedicated to the promotion of medical research and supports medical-humanitarian projects. To date, it has funded around 2,200 projects. With an annual funding volume of currently more than 60 million euros, it is the largest medical foundation in Germany. Further information can be found at: www.ekfs.de
Press contact:
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Bianka Jerke Press and Public Relations Tel .: + 49 6172 8975-24 E-Mail: [email protected]
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