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They have all published top-class research results in recognized specialist journals: three young people were honored with the Langen Young Scientist Prize.
Langen – You have researched gene transfer, HIV and pollen allergies and gained important insights: For the 13th time, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) and the Association for the Promotion of the Langen Science Prize have awarded the Langen Young Scientist Prize, worth a total of 2,000 euros, to three awarded to young people.
First place went to Samuel Theuerkauf (30) for his work on improved gene transfer. The second prize went to Dr. Yen-Ju Lin (35) for her research on the influence of artificially produced proteins on the immune system. Third place went to Dr. Moritz Schüssler (33), who worked on the treatment of HIV infections. The Young Scientist Prize honors high-quality research work that has led to first-author publications in a recognized journal.
Research is an integral part of the Federal Institute’s activities
The three winners now received their certificates from the chairman of the Association for the Promotion of the Langen Science Prize and former PEI President Professor Klaus Cichutek as well as the acting president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, Professor Stefan Vieths. Hagen Wenzel, board member of the Sparkasse Langen-Seligenstadt, municipal utilities managing director Uwe Linder and first city councilor Stefan Löbig (Greens) also brought congratulations. “It is a pleasure for us to be able to support young and talented scientists every year with the Young Scientists Prize,” emphasized Löbig. “The city is once again showing its commitment to research and teaching. Our thanks go to the Sparkasse Langen-Seligenstadt, which is financing this important prize again this year.”
High-level research in all areas relevant to medicines under the jurisdiction of the Paul Ehrlich Institute are relevant is an integral part of the activities of the Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedical Drugs. “The fact that the prizes were awarded in such diverse research areas as gene transfer, HIV research and allergy immunotherapy shows how diverse our research is in connection with our regulatory tasks,” explained Institute President Vieths.
Infected HIV cells precisely targeted
Samuel Theuerkauf, who was awarded first prize, pursued the goal of improving gene transfer precisely into the cells that are relevant for the treatment of a specific disease. It is now possible to modify harmless viruses that act as vectors (“gene shuttles”) so that they can target specific cells. But the previous vectors only recognize the cells using a so-called marker. However, many therapy-relevant cells in the human organism are defined by the combination of several markers. For the first time, Theuerkauf was able to modify viral vectors so that they carry two different markers and thus reach chronically HIV-infected cells with much higher efficiency than before. With this highly precise and efficient gene transfer, vectors could prevent HIV from multiplying in cell cultures.
Second-placed Yen-Ju Lin examined the question of how therapeutics against birch pollen allergies influence the immune system. She also looked at how drugs that activate the immune system can be used safely and effectively in the future – even for diseases other than allergies.
The third prize winner, Moritz Schüssler, examined the role of the protein SAMHD1 in HIV infections. His study could open new avenues for developing therapies that specifically affect the protein without disrupting other cellular processes. (msc)