Helmholtz Munich Researchers Honored with DGP Research Prizes for Pneumology Research
At the 65th Annual Congress of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) in Leipzig, two Helmholtz Munich researchers were recognized for their outstanding scientific contributions to the field of pneumology. Dr. Lin Yang was awarded the DGP Research Prize for Experimental Research on Respiratory Diseases, while Dr. Michael Gerckens received the Dissertation Award from the German Lung Foundation for his work in experimental pneumology.
Dr. Lin Yang Receives DGP Research Prize for Lung Imaging Technology
Dr. Lin Yang, a postdoctoral researcher and project leader at the Institute for Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) and the Precision Regenerative Medicine (PRM) research group at Helmholtz Munich, was honored for his pioneering work in imaging technologies. In collaboration with Dr. Otmar Schmid from LHI, Dr. Yang developed LungVis 1.0, a cutting-edge AI-powered imaging platform designed to enhance precision in lung disease management.
LungVis 1.0 provides unprecedented insights into the interactions between inhalation therapies and lung tissue. This technology enables the targeted delivery of inhaled medications to the most affected areas of the lungs, offering a new approach for more precise treatments of lung diseases like asthma and emphysema. The project, which was partially funded by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program of the European Union, was published in the research journal Nature Communications.
“The precise delivery of medications to targeted areas of the lungs marks a crucial step toward more personalized and effective treatment of respiratory diseases,” Dr. Lin Yang said upon receiving the award. “I am truly honored that our work is being recognized in this way.”
Dr. Michael Gerckens Receives Dissertation Award for Research on Pulmonary Fibrosis
Dr. Michael Gerckens, group leader at LHI and the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), as well as a clinician scientist at LMU Klinikum Munich, was awarded the German Dissertation Prize in Pneumology by the German Lung Foundation for his dissertation on new therapeutic approaches to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, he performed in the working group of Dr. Gerald Burgstaller. In his dissertation, graded “summa cum laude,” Dr. Gerckens identified new cinnamic acid amide derivatives as promising drug candidates for treating pulmonary fibrosis. Using an innovative high-throughput assay and AI-based analyses, he developed a novel screening method that could accelerate the development of new therapies for this life-threatening condition.
“Current therapies for pulmonary fibrosis can only slow the progression of the disease, but they do not offer a cure. My research aims to bring new treatment options to patients more quickly,” said Dr. Gerckens.”I believe this prize is also a great encouragement for the ongoing antifibrotic drug discovery efforts led by Dr. Burgstaller at Helmholtz Munich.”
About the DGP Research Prizes and Dissertation Awards
The DGP Research Prizes are awarded annually to recognize outstanding scientific achievements in pneumology and to support the development of young researchers in the field. The German Lung Foundation’s Dissertation Prize honors the best experimental and clinical dissertations in pneumology, that contribute to advancing the treatment of lung diseases.
“The work of Dr. Lin Yang and Dr. Michael Gerckens exemplifies the innovative research that has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of lung diseases,” said Prof. Dr. Antje Prasse, spokesperson for the DGP jury. “We are pleased to recognize these talented scientists for their valuable contributions to pneumology.”
