High honor for Freiburg brain researcher
Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg receives the internationally renowned Novo Nordisk Prize 2021 / Awarded for research on the brain's immune system / Prize endowed with 672,000 euros
When Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz decided to study microglia after his medical studies, they were the most boring cells in the brain. Twenty-four years later, he now receives the Novo Nordisk Prize 2021 for his groundbreaking studies on the crucial role of these cells in the central nervous system, both in normal brain function and in connection with disease. This was announced by the Danish foundation on May 18, 2021. His novel findings form the basis for new diagnostic and treatment concepts for diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. PrinceisMedical Director of the Institute of Neuropathology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The prize is endowed with five million Danish kroner, the equivalent of 672,000 euros. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is one of the world's largest foundations dedicated to health and research.
"25 years ago, it was hard to imagine that I would receive these honors and awards because very few researchers paid attention to this field of research back then. That's why I accept the award with great humility and pride," says Prinz. "Predicting how this field will develop over the next ten years is difficult. However, interest in the potential possibilities for curing these brain diseases is currently growing enormously. This is the driving force behind my daily work." Prinz has already received several awards for his research, most recently the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize from the German Research Foundation in 2020.
"Marco Prinz is an exceptional scientist who has fundamentally expanded the boundaries of neuroscience through his research. I warmly congratulate him on this award," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg. "Such an individual top performance is only possible thanks to the close integration of clinical and basic research in Medical Center - University of Freiburg."
Microglia: guardians and janitors of the brain
The blood-brain barrier is an impenetrable barrier established before birth between the circulating blood and the brain that prevents immune cells from the body's own immune system from entering the brain. The brain therefore has its own immune system with a key player called microglia. As guardians and janitors, microglia play a central role in both monitoring and defending the brain and maintaining its normal functions.
"We believe that modulating microglia is an obvious target for treating people with central nervous system diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. These could be pharmacological or genetic interventions to influence these diseases," says Marco Prinz.
Caption: Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz
Medical Director
Institute of Neuropathology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-51060
marco.prinz@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Back
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Central Information
Phone: 0761 270-0
info@uniklinik-freiburg.de
For press inquiries:
Corporate Communications
Breisacher Straße 153
79110 Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-84830
kommunikation@uniklinik-freiburg.de