Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, November 25, 2024 – Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) is awarding three grants from the funding line Else Kröner Schools for Medical Scientists in 2024, each of which is funded with 1.1 million euros over a term of four years. The foundation is awarding them for the third time. The aim of these graduate study programs is to enable outstanding early career scientists in the field of fundamental research to gain a stronger foothold in terms of a medical context and provide their work with targeted support in the direction of clinical application.
To achieve improvement in medical research it is necessary for natural scientists and fundamental research scientists to also concern themselves intensively with medical issues. Although this is readily taking place in a number of areas, the research often remains far removed from the requirements for clinical application. “Due to the different professional training involved, researchers in the natural sciences frequently lack a deeper understanding of medical prerequisites, clinical consequences and the practical exigencies requiring medical doctors to take action,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Madeja, Chairman of the Management Board at EKFS.
Researchers from 25 medical faculties submitted applications to the call for entries. The following three projects prevailed in the course of the selection procedure.
iPRIME – Integrative (inter)organ immunology and career development, Prof. Dr. Tobias B. Huber (spokesperson), Prof. Dr. Petra Arck (deputy spokesperson), Dr. Sybille Köhler (deputy spokesperson), Dept. of Medicine III, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
The increase in immune-mediated diseases and autoimmune disorders poses a challenge for the provision of healthcare. The underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The iPRIME program studies immune processes on three levels: organ-specific immunity, systemic immune response and interorgan communication. The goal is to identify new therapeutic approaches and translate clinical observations into new approaches for diagnosis and therapy. Early career scientists profit from personalized career planning, intensive mentoring and interdisciplinary networking. The emphasis at EKFS-supported programs already in place on-site (iPRIME school for doctoral candidates and iPRIME school for clinician scientists) equally lies on immune-mediated diseases; a unique, interdisciplinary cluster arises as a result. This is intended to promote and strengthen the exchange between fundamental research and clinical practice.
Genomic responses to disease plasticity, Prof. Dr. Argyris Papantonis (spokesperson), Dr. Francesca Odoardi (deputy spokesperson), Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen
The program investigates how the human genome and epigenome change due to long-lasting dysfunctions of cellular and systemic signaling pathways in the case of various diseases. They include metabolic, neurological and cancerous diseases. The project builds on focal points of research at the University Medical Center Göttingen in the area of molecular cell biology. The approach toward understanding such illnesses as “Diseases of the Genome” enables the fellows within the program to apply the most modern molecular biology methods to clinical issues. At the same time, the School for Medical Scientists is supposed to support natural scientists’ career paths in clinical research while contributing to the promotion of up-and-coming researchers. To this end, young postdocs work on translational projects together with experienced clinicians and scientists to facilitate the transition to scientific self-reliance. The program offers individualized, interdisciplinary advanced training involving targeted insights into clinical research.
Metaflammation as cause and consequence of chronic inflammatory diseases and carcinogenesis, Prof. Dr. Jens Marquardt (spokesperson), Dept. of Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck , and University of Lübeck, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Derer-Petersen (deputy spokesperson), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Günther (deputy spokesperson)
Chronic inflammatory processes triggered by metabolic changes are designated as “metaflammation”. They play a central role in the development and progression of chronic diseases and tumors. The precise mechanisms between metaflammation, cancer development and the response to immunotherapies are still largely unknown. In light of the increasing incidence of metabolic disorders, the need to understand these correlations better and develop targeted medication-based approaches is growing. To accomplish this, the School for Medical Scientists brings together the expertise stemming from multiple areas of research at the University of Lübeck. Doctoral candidates in the natural sciences obtain insights into the day-to-day clinical routine and work using authentic cases. With its advanced training program the School enables young scientists to successfully contribute to patient-oriented research.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) – Advancing research. Helping people.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the funding and advancement of medical research and the support of humanitarian projects. To date the foundation has funded around 2,600 projects. With an annual funding volume currently amounting to over 70 million euros it is the largest foundation in Germany that actively funds and supports medicine. You can find more information at: www.ekfs.de/en
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