Leopoldina news 1/2017

Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – German National Academy of Sciences

Halle, 10 February 2017

Future Prize goes to carbon concrete German president Joachim Gauck honours Leopoldina member Manfred Curbach

SUMMIT P 2 SYMPOSIUM P 4 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES P 6

Innovation and Do we need to redefine Scientific community to risk-taking culture genetic engineering? provide input to G20 Experts meet at third Guest article by Peter Recommendations will Research Summit in Berlin Dabrock, Ethics Council focus on health policy 01|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 2 Editorial

Dear Members and Friends of the Leopoldina, In just a few weeks, some 400 decision- makers, experts and thought leaders from science, busi- ness, govern- ment and civil society will converge on Berlin for the third Research Summit since 2015. Once again – as in 2015 and 2016 – discussions will focus on an issue of high societal relevance: the creation Otmar D. Wiestler, Peter Strohschneider, Jutta Allmendin- of a new culture of innovation and ger and Dietmar Harhoff (left to right) discuss their expec- risk-taking. Among the participants tations for the 2017 Research Summit. photos: Steffen will be members of the Leopoldina; Jänicke, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, private (2) you can read some of their thoughts ahead of the event in the following article. Third Research Summit to focus on The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, together with innovation and risk-taking culture the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft and the Commission of Decision-makers, experts and thought leaders meet on 28 March Experts for Research and Innovati- on, will be hosting the Research Sum- The third Research Summit (Forschungs- country even more attractive as a research mit. Our shared goal is to provide a gipfel) will take place on 28 March in location.” He also sees it as “essential” for platform for strategic orientation and Berlin. Respected members of the Leo- yet more to be done in the bid for creative decision-making. For 2017, we aim poldina will be among the scientists and and talented researchers. “The goal must to facilitate a critical and constructi- prominent figures in attendance. Looking be to attract talent from all over the world ve dialogue and create a forum for ahead to the event, Prof. Jutta Allmendin- to Germany and offer them the best possi- self-reflection, idea generation and ger ML, Prof. Dietmar Harhoff ML, Prof. ble opportunities for development here in networking – using this approach as a Peter Strohschneider ML and Prof. Otmar our country.” foundation to formulate proposals for D. Wiestler ML share their expectations. Jutta Allmendinger, president of the a new culture of innovation and risk- Dietmar Harhoff, chairman of the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, says, taking. As the wide use of buzzwords Commission of Experts for Research and “I am looking forward to discussing how such as “digitisation”, „energy transi- Innovation, expects the summit will provi- we can generate innovation – not only for tion”, “industry 4.0”, “eScience”, “glo- de “fresh perspectives that challenge exis- society, but also with society through par- balisation”, “human resources” and ting innovation management practices ticipatory research methods.” She is parti- “open access” makes clear, we need a within companies as well as government cularly interested in the question of “how culture of curiosity, research enthusi- policies on research and innovation”. we can alleviate people’s concerns about asm and entrepreneurship. We need From his point of view, innovation pro- being left behind and excluded from the answers that will enable us in the fu- cesses are not solely dependent on rapid digital revolution taking place in educa- ture to link research strength with change; open innovation also requires the tion and the workplace”. “This will requi- innovative power and scientific excel- involvement of the best possible partners, re,” Allmendinger believes, “commitment lence with economic growth. while new business models need to utilise from actors across all sectors of society as I wish you a thought-provoking read. large volumes of data and exploit the full well as reliable cooperation”. potential of the internet. “Furthermore,” Peter Strohschneider, president of the he adds, “start-ups are increasingly beco- German Research Foundation, provides a ming concept and technology suppliers, succinct summary of the aspirations for and rapid experimentation is doing away the strategy meeting between representa- with lengthy planning and implementati- tives from science, industry, government on phases.” and civil society: “There can be no inno- Following on from this, Otmar D. vation without the risk of intellectual dis- Wiestler, president of the Helmholtz As- comfort!” (dw) sociation of German Research Centres, says: “Germany is in need of a new culture FURTHER INFORMATION of innovation and risk-taking to make the 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 3

Lightweight concrete construction? Achievable with textile grids! German Future Prize awarded to research trio led by Prof. Manfred Curbach ML

Is it really possible to build lightweight The German Future concrete structures that are also “eco- Prize went to the nomical, efficient and attractive”, as the Dresden-based trio project description claims? “Yes, these are Peter Offermann, no longer contradictory terms,” says Prof. Manfred Curbach and Manfred Curbach with a smile. “Thanks Chokri Cherif (left to to our carbon concrete, it’s now achie- right). The scientists vable.” Curbach, a member of the Leo- from the TU Dresden poldina since 2013, is a civil engineer at have developed a the Technische Universität (TU) Dresden. form of textile concre- Together with Prof. Chokri Cherif and te that uses carbon Prof. Peter Offermann, he has developed fibres for reinforce- a concrete composite that heralds a new ment instead of steel era in construction – one of imaginative, mesh. photo: Ansgar lightweight yet robust concrete buildings. Pudenz / Deutscher The reason for concrete’s generally Zukunftspreis bulky appearance lies in the fact that it is usually combined with steel. Reinforcing neering firm, Curbach wanted to return the other,” says Curbach, reflecting on concrete with steel mesh increases the to research and teaching. At this point in the early stages.The German Future Prize material’s tensile strength. But steel rusts time he was unfamiliar with textile-rein- (Deutscher Zukunftspreis) was presen- over time, so a thick concrete coat is requi- forced or carbon concrete. One of his first ted to the Dresden-based trio by Federal red to protect the mesh for as long as pos- tasks was to assess Offermann’s trials. “I President Joachim Gauck in late 2016, sible. After a good 50 years or so, however, was excited!” says the Dortmund-born providing momentum for the next stages. air and water find their way in through engineer. “It was clear to me that this was The team is extremely proud to have won cracks and corrode the steel mesh – despi- the breakthrough.” And for this reason, this award. Manfred Curbach is particu- te its concrete shell. Once this occurs, the Curbach decided to stay in Dresden. larly delighted that the prize went to a affected buildings have to undergo costly So just what was it that convinced civil engineering project, as construction renovations. Construction engineers have him? A simple look at the facts and the in Germany is not exactly considered an long been searching for an alternative ma- trial results: Carbon does not corrode, innovative sector – especially when con- terial that would eliminate this flaw. Ex- so the thick concrete shell usually requi- crete is involved. The team constantly had periments were carried out with wood and red to protect the reinforcing mesh can to combat the material’s negative image, later with short glass fibres, but the results be dispensed with – ultimately saving 50 Curbach explains, adding in its defence were far from satisfactory. percent of material. Less concrete me- that it is not concrete’s fault people made The solution was eventually hit upon ans less cement, which is good news for ugly buildings out of it. by Peter Offermann, a textile engineer at the environment as cement production This innovative carbon concrete opens TU Dresden. He turned to carbon fibres, releases almost three times as much car- up possibilities for more elegant, contou- connecting them using a special stitch- bon dioxide as all air traffic. In addition, red structures. Curbach describes pavi- bonding technique that has been in use in the bearing capacity of carbon is around lions and houses with curved surfaces, the Saxon textile industry since 1949. In six times that of steel. And, last but not extremely thin and yet incredibly robust the GDR, both the manufacturing process least, the newly developed concrete com- – like egg shells. Even warehouses could and the material it produces were known posite has a higher density and is more undergo a creative makeover thanks to the as “Malimo”. “The basic principle and the durable. According to Curbach, “a lifespan new material: “Why do warehouses always machinery are actually borrowed from the of 200 years is not an unrealistic vision”. have to look like a shoebox? We could now Malimo technique,” explains Curbach. To Together with Peter Offermann, he pu- make them seem beautifully weightless!” create the textile-reinforced concrete, car- shed the project forward. “Neither one Just imagine the industrial parks of the bon fibres are woven together to form an of us could have really advanced without future … (cwe) open lattice around which the concrete is set. Thus, the same technique once used to THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT’S FUTURE PRIZE weave curtains is now used to strengthen concrete. Offermann carried out the first The Deutscher Zukunftspreis – The Federal display research excellence and commercial trials in 1993; one year later, Curbach ar- President’s Award for Innovation and Tech- potential. In November last year, the prize rived in Dresden. After years spent con- nology, is awarded annually to projects that was awarded for the 20th time. (dw) structing bridges for a Nuremberg engi- 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 4

“Cultural uneasiness cannot be outlawed” Guest article by Chairman of the German Ethics Council Prof. Peter Dabrock ahead of the symposi- um “Do we need to redefine genetic engineering?” on 14 February in Berlin

BY PROF. PETER DABROCK* The 2016 buzzword “post-truth” is likely a term that many from the scientific com- munity would use to describe what they have experienced for decades in the field of genetic engineering – particularly green genetic engineering. Scientists have spent years assuring sceptics that the environ- mental risks associated with transgenic plants are limited and controllable, and that these plants could, in fact, make a va- luable contribution to solving the problem of global food security. And yet the world – or Europe at any rate, and Germany in particular – seems to respond with in- gratitude. The greater the efforts made to convince, the more these arguments have Should plants produced with molecular biological breeding methods be considered “genetically been met with emotional and politicised modified”? That is a question raised by the use of genome editing in plants. photo: fotolia opposition: a classic post-truth situation. Many scientists would also certainly are unnatural! uneasiness cannot simply be outlawed. admit that, in retrospect, serious com- But, the scientists respond, what ex- Perhaps, therefore, rules need to be found munication errors have been made and actly are the criteria of “naturalness” that that address this uneasiness while still ob- that, as far as economic concomitants are the critics are basing their argument on? serving points one and two. Throughout concerned, almost everything that could Is nature only that which is untouched all of this, the most important thought to go wrong has gone wrong. Thus, it seems and unchanged? That sounds more like bear in mind is: We are responsible for our there is little to no hope that green genetic romanticism than science. In fact, as the actions, but also for the actions we prevent engineering could ever find social accep- scientific community points out, not only against our better judgment. Perhaps in tance again in Europe or Germany – let do mutations occur frequently in nature, the debates to come on genome editing, alone regain trust. However, many scien- but evolution itself is nothing more than we can at least succeed in not allowing tists see the new debate on the use of ge- an uninterrupted series of mutations with ourselves to fall into the post-truth trap. nome editing in plant breeding as almost selective effects. These mutations could ludicrous in nature. Because it seems that occur, naturally (!) at various loci in the * Peter Dabrock is Professor of Systematic Theology now, after all the frustrating clashes of genome and spread to related species. So, at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität -Nürn- the past decades, they may have actually they ask, wherein lies the problem? And, berg and has been chairman of the German Ethics discovered the “Columbus’ egg” of genetic again, all they seem to hear is post-truth Council since 2016. engineering – namely, a method whereby rhetoric echoing around the debating the end product can be obtained much less chamber. arduously than by traditional cultivation So how are things to proceed from SYMPOSIUM IN BERLIN practices and without permanent transge- here? Debate – fierce debate – is inde- nic alteration. The result is genome-edited ed necessary. And certain rules need to The Leopoldina, the German Ethics Coun- products that are, to an extent, no longer be adhered to in the process, outlined in cil and the German Research Foundation distinguishable from those produced by the following lexical order: Firstly, regu- will host a symposium on “Do we need to conventional breeding methods. lations are there to be observed, but also redefine genetic engineering?” in Berlin And yet the critics remain unsatisfied. potentially to be changed should the need on 14 February. Its objective is to debate On the contrary, it is precisely in this in- arise. It must therefore be recognised – whether organisms modified using genome distinguishability that they now see the and this counts as the second rule – that editing should be considered “genetically serious underlying problem. Genetic en- yes, caution is required in the face of risk, modified” and regulated accordingly. The gineering will always be genetic enginee- but also that those who want to demons- event will focus on plant breeding and exa- ring. This new method, they say – which is trate that a real risk is present have the mine the definition of genetic engineering also not yet controllable – could give rise burden of proof on their shoulders. This found in the German Genetic Engineering to manipulations with as yet incalculable burden of proof is particularly heavy when Act. (jk) risks. It therefore needs to be subject to a product of genome editing cannot be di- particularly stringent controls. Whatever stinguished from a product of traditional FURTHER INFORMATION possibilities genome editing offers, they plant breeding methods. Thirdly, cultural 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 5

Science academies to advise G20 leaders Under the leadership of the Leopoldina, recommendations for combating chronic and infectious are being prepared / Dialogue forum set for March in Halle

When the heads of state and government of the 20 leading industrialised and emer- ging nations gather in Hamburg, on 7 and 8 July 2017, for their annual summit meeting, the scientific community will be included in the G20 process for the first time. As a key civil society actor, it is res- ponsible – under the auspices of the Sci- ence20 dialogue forum – for preparing scientific input on health policy, which is an important focus of the summit. Under Germany’s G20 presidency, the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is leading this process. As in the run-up to 2016 G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the Le- opoldina is giving the science academies of the G20 countries a platform for hol- ding in-depth discussions on science-rela- ted issues and for developing joint policy recommendations. Advice and analysis from the scientific community will there- fore also enrich the policy debates at the Hamburg summit. This year’s Science20 dialogue forum is focusing specifically on how to deal with More than 40 scientists and experts attended a preparatory meeting for the G20 summit at the Leopol- chronic and infectious diseases. Under dina in Halle (Saale). photo: Markus Scholz the title “Improving Global Health: Tools and Strategies to Combat Communicable challenges in dealing with non-commu- ML (Frankfurt/Main), the meeting tou- and Non-Communicable Diseases”, fo- nicable and communicable diseases and ched on issues such as the strengthening rum participants will discuss the different examined promising potential solutions, of public health system and the impact of measures being taken globally to prevent including ones that extend beyond the social and economic factors on healthy and control non-communicable diseases medical realm. lifestyles. such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascu- Led by Leopoldina President Prof. Jörg The results of the meeting will be in- lar illnesses, and the links between chro- Hacker ML and Prof. Jürgen Schölmerich corporated directly into the statement of nic and infectious the G20 countries’ diseases. national acade- DIALOGUE FORUM TO BE HELD IN HALLE (SAALE) ON 22 MARCH In order to dis- mies, a process cuss and bring to- In the run-up to the G20 summit, Federal international partners to prepare recom- which Leopoldina gether the diverse Chancellor Angela Merkel will attend di- mendations for the presidency. is coordinating. ideas and different alogue forums on specific thematic areas The Science20 dialogue forum will take Prior to the mee- perspectives from in an effort to strengthen dialogue with place at the Leopoldina in Halle (Saale) on ting, a working the G20 coun- different civil society groups. Dialogue fo- 22 March 2017. Renowned scientists will group made up of tries, more than rums will be held with present and debate the Leopoldina mem- 40 scientists and non-governmental or- problem areas identified bers prepared a representatives of ganisations (Civil20), as critical during discus- draft document the participating trade unions (Labour20), sions with the national to serve as a basis national acade- women’s groups (Wo- academies of the G20 for the statement mies met at the men20), young people countries. The dialogue and circulated this Leopoldina’s head- (Youth20), private enter- forum will conclude with document among quarters in Halle prise (Business20), think the presidents of the the partner acade- (Saale) on 25 and tanks (Think20) and, for the first time this G20 academies officially presenting the joint mies for comment. 26 January. To- year, the scientific community (Science20). statement to Federal Chancellor Merkel. (chw) gether they iden- The participants in these forums work with (chw) tified the current 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 6

Dialogue between science and EASAC presents reports on the business in southern Africa circular economy in Brussels On 30 November 2016, EASAC introdu- ced two new reports – “Indicators for a circular economy” and “Priorities for cri- tical materials for a circular economy” – in Brussels at the Palais des Académies of the Belgian academies. These reports by the European national science academies represent an important contribution to the circular economy debate and should help inform policy discussions and decisi- ons at the European Union level. After the key findings of the reports were presented – by, among others, Prof. Kristín Vala Ragnarsdóttir (University of Iceland) and Prof. Egbert Lox (Umicore, Belgium) – a panel discussion with repre- sentatives of the European Commission and various stakeholder groups was held. The discussion was moderated by Simon Wilson from the think tank Green Alliance Representatives from science and research had intensive discussions at the Science-Business Dialogue (Belgium). (csd) Conference in Pretoria, South Africa. photo: Monsoon Photography

From 5 to 7 December 2016, more than and public health. Prof. Himla Soodyall, 120 representatives from science, busi- the new ASSAf general secretary, used the German-Israeli ness and government from 17 different metaphor of a marriage for the dialogue countries gathered at the Science-Busi- between science and business, describing symposium on ness Dialogue Conference in Pretoria to it as a relationship in which both partners neuroscience discuss how knowledge transfer between should deal with each other on equal foo- research institutions and the private sec- ting, learn to accept each other’s differen- The Leopoldina and the Israel Academy tor could be improved. The participants ces and use disagreements as an opportu- of Sciences and Humanities (IASH) hos- in the three-day conference mainly ex- nity. Good collaboration between science ted the symposium “Brains: From Synap- plored topics such as early stakeholder and business is an important prerequisite ses, Circuits and Systems to the Clinic” in involvement, intellectual property rights, for the translation of research results into Jerusalem on 28 and 29 November 2016. technology transfer offices and innovative new products and services and thus also Experts from Israel and Germany gathe- funding options. The conference, which for the socio-economic development of red at the symposium to discuss new dis- received financial support from the- Ger the African continent. coveries concerning the functions of nerve man Federal Ministry of Education and Speakers included Walter Lindner, cells and synapses and their interactions Research (BMBF), was organised by the the German ambassador to South Africa; in nerve cell clusters and control circuits. Leopoldina in close collaboration with the Wolfgang Burtscher, deputy director-ge- Young scientists from both countries were Academy of Science of South Africa (AS- neral for research and innovation at the given an opportunity to present their re- SAf). European Commission; and Prof. Volker search via poster presentations. In addition to lectures, the conference ter Meulen ML, former Leopoldina presi- The event is part of a symposium se- also consisted of panel discussions and dent. ries on neuroscience that is co-hosted by interactive workshop elements. This in- Also involved in organising the con- the Leopoldina and the Israel Academy cluded presenting already established and ference, besides the main project part- of Sciences and Humanities Coordinating successful dialogue initiatives between ners, were the Network of African Science the symposium for Leopoldina were Prof. science and business in southern Africa Academies (NASAC), the Global Young Peter Riederer ML, Prof. Michael Frot- as well as discussing the possibilities that Academy (GYA), the Southern African scher ML, Prof. Helmut Kettenmann ML exist for replicating these. The case studies Development Community (SADC) and and Prof. Ad Aertsen ML. The German covered innovative knowledge transfer in the South African Ministry of Science and Neuroscience Society provided scholar- agricultural biotechnology, mining, infor- Technology. (csd) ships to enable young German scientists mation and communications technology, to participate. (jn) 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 7

Lecture series with Indian academy kicks off On 5 December, with his lecture “Can we understand an insect society, and why should we care?”, Prof. Raghavendra Ga- dagkar ML, president of the Indian Nati- onal Science Academy (INSA), kicked off a lecture series in which INSA and Leopoldina members present their work to the general public in order to promote the visibility of Indian and German science. Prof. Gadagkar spoke about his work with wasps before a nearly packed auditorium in Leopoldina’s main building. He did not merely share his research findings, but gave insights into his working methods and the logic that drives his experiments, so as to make the scientific process understandable to lay people. (rn)/photo: Markus Scholz

A tireless advocate of scientific responsibility The Leopoldina mourns long-time Presidium member Prof. Hans Mohr

BY PROF. BENNO PARTHIER ML* and discovered that phytochrome func- entific work and his social engagement. tions via differential gene activation as These, to name but a few, included mem- Prof. Hans Mohr, a long-time Presidium a mode of action; these findings became bership in the Heidelberg Academy in member, a consistent proponent of a pan- common knowledge through his success- 1982, the German Federal Cross of Merit German science and a tireless advocate ful textbook Lehrbuch der Pflanzenphy- (First Class) in 1998 and honorary mem- of scientific siologie. bership in the German Botanical Society responsibi- Yet Hans Mohr did not limit himself in 2000. In the laudatory speech for the lity, died on to his particular field. He continually Cothenius Medal, which he received in 29 Decem- concerned himself with the role of sci- 2000 for his lifetime achievements in sci- ber 2016 at ence and the framework in which science ence, it was said: “Before the Wall fell your the age of should be conducted. It is hardly surpri- lectures were taken as inspiration and en- 86. He stu- sing that he was a very active and dedi- couragement by many enthusiastic young died biology, cated board member at the Academy for people in the GDR. During your tenure as physics and Technology Assessment in , and representative of the Botany Section you philosophy that he had an impact in the public are- served as Senator for eight years. In 1993 in Tübingen, na through his speaking and writing. He you joined the Presidium of the Acade- showing ear- wrote, for example, to a federal minister my, and as a Presidium member you have ly on a broad Prof. Emeritus Hans Mohr. that “the amendment to the Genetic Engi- been generous with your opinions. Many spectrum photo: Universität Freiburg neering Act is an example of how arbitrary new concepts […] are based on your ideas of interests, policymaking [based on ideological preju- […]. You are the intellectual father of the and completed his PhD there in 1956 un- dices] takes away an important option”. 1997 Annual Assembly […] as well as the der the supervision of Erwin Bünning, for He advocated throughout his life for the conceptual initiator […] of a number of whom he had a lifelong admiration. Mohr need of a critical science, which for him other events.” also earned his postdoctoral lecture qua- meant practicing science “on the basis of Hans Mohr’s work has left a lasting lification in Tübingen, and in 1960 took reliable knowledge and through rational mark. We at the Leopoldina will truly miss over the Professorship of Botany at the discourse”. a member who served the cause of science University of Freiburg Hans Mohr was inducted into the Le- and the Academy in such exemplary fa- His special interest was photomorpho- opoldina in 1966 at the age of 36 and re- shion. We will always cherish his memory. genesis, a field in which he accomplished mained an active member the rest of his ground-breaking work. He established the life. He received, of course, also numerous * Benno Parthier was president of the German Aca- mustard seedling as a model organism honours and distinctions for both his sci- demy of Sciences Leopoldina from 1990 to 2003. 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 8

Personalia

New Members Class IV proteins under extreme conditions, inclu- Günther Wilke ML ding studies on barophiles, halophiles and 23 Feb. 1925 – 9 Dec. 2016 | Mül- Moritz Epple ML, Frankfurt am thermophiles. His principal focus was the heim an der Ruhr Main, Goethe Universität Frankfurt am physical characteristics of proteins. Jaeni- Chemistry Main, Department of History of Science cke also wrote methodological articles on Günther Wilke, one of the founders of (History of Science and Medicine Section) experimental studies of the folding and organometallic complex chemistry, in- associations of proteins. vestigated the oligomerisation and poly- Stephan Hartmann ML, , merisation of butadiene. He carried out Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Michel Portmann ML research on transition metal complexes, Chair of Theory of Science (Epistemology 31 May 1924 – 17 Sept. 2016 | Bor- discovering their structure and then using Section) deaux, France the complexes for such chemical proces- Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngo- ses. His work was at the interface between Hannes Leitgeb ML, Munich, Lud- logy, Stomatology basic research and applied/industrial re- wig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Michael Portmann worked in the fields search. Chair of Logic and Philosophy of Langua- of audiology and phoniatrics, specialising ge (Epistemology Section) in modern otologic surgery. His research Ulrich Wolf ML improved the speech perception of many 2 Jan. 1933 – 4 Jan. 2017 | Freiburg Robert Pippin ML, Chicago, USA, patients with impaired hearing. His cour- im Breisgau University of Chicago, Committee on Soci- ses on otologic microsurgery earned the Human Genetics and Molecular Me- al Thought (Cultural Sciences Section) French researcher international acclaim. dicine Ulrich Wolf is considered the founder of Wolfgang Schön ML, Munich, Max Pál Stefanovits ML theoretical and clinical cytogenetics in the Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public 24 Nov. 1920 – 4 Aug. 2016 | Buda- German-speaking world. He investigated Finance (Cultural Sciences Section) pest, Hungary the chromosomal mechanisms of evoluti- Agricultural and Nutritional Scien- on, in particular sex chromosomes. Wolf Andrea Weber ML, Vienna, Austria, ces was one of the discoverers of Wolf-Hirsch- Vienna University of Economics and Busi- During his career the agronomist Pál Ste- horn syndrome, a rare hereditary disease. ness, Department of Economics, Institute fanovits advanced the soil mapping of for Labor Economics (Economics and Hungary, taking into particular conside- Eberhard Zeidler ML Empirical Social Sciences Section) ration soil geographical factors. Besides 6 Oct. 1940 – 18 Nov. 2016 | Leipzig mapping erosion, he also conducted soil Mathematics Deceased Members genetic studies. His palaeopedological and The mathematician Eberhard Zeidler con- soil dynamical discoveries contributed to ducted research in the field of nonlinear Walter Beier ML the modernisation and reorganisation of functional analysis, in particular the in- 9 May 1925 – 20 Dec. 2016 | Leipzig geography and agricultural education in vestigation of circular channels and chan- Biochemistry and Biophysics Hungary. nels of finite and infinite depth. His life’s Walter Beier was well known for his wide- work consisted of preparing a compre- ranging work in medical physics. In ad- Sakari Timonen ML hensive presentation of modern nonlinear dition to investigating ultrasound effects, 17 Mar. 1915 – 14 Dec. 2016 | Helsin- functional analysis. In pursuing this goal space medicine and computer diagnostics, ki, Finland Zeidler never lost sight of the applicability he also conducted extensive studies on Gynaecology and Paediatrics of such an analysis to mathematical phy- gerontology, laying the foundation for re- The Finnish physician Sakari Timonen sics. search into the aging process. In the field conducted research in the field of gynae- of theoretical gerontology he developed cological endocrinology. His specialisa- important vitality concepts and multidi- tions included premalignant changes and mensional vector analytical methods for mitoses in normal endometrium and in determining the biological age of humans. cancer cells as well as the radiation sensi- tivity of cells. Timonen advocated strongly Rainer Jaenicke ML in Finland for the introduction of early de- 30 Oct. 1930 – 26 Jul. 2016 | Schwal- tection tests for cervical cancer. bach am Taunus Biochemistry and Biophysics Rainer Jaenicke was active in the field of physical chemistry. He conducted re- search on the molecular adaptability of 1|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 9

Imprint

Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Prof. Dr. Rainer Godel, Projektleiter onale Akademie der Wissenschaften, Jägerberg Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie Leopoldina-Studienzentrum (rgo) 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany. Redistribution, der Wissenschaften Dr. Ruth Narmann, Deputy Head International including in the form of extracts, is permitted for Jägerberg 1 Relations Department (rn) educational, scientific and private purposes if 06108 Halle (Saale) Dr. Jan Nissen, Senior Officer, Department Inter- the source is quoted (unless otherwise explicitly Telefon: +49-345/4 72 39 – 800 national Relations (jn) indicated by the article in question). Permission Telefax: +49-345/4 72 39 – 809 Prof. Dr. Benno Parthier ML must be sought from the Leopoldina for commer- [email protected] Anja Spiller, Junge Akademie (as) cial usetionale Akademie der Wissenschaften, Dr. Beate Wagner, Managing Director, Global Jägerberg 1, 06108 Halle (Saale). Editing: Young Academy (bw) Caroline Wichmann (cw) Christian Weidlich, Senior Officer, Department Links to external Websites: Julia Klabuhn (jk) International Relations (chw) The Leopoldina does its best to select all hy- Daniela Weber (dw) Christine Werner, Science Journalist (cwe) perlinks in Leopoldina news and their contents Anna Baltrusch (ab) carefully,but has no influence on the content or Friederike Kühn (fk) Photo credits: design of the pages linked to. The Leopoldina he- Title: Ansgar Pudenz / Deutscher Zukunftspreis; reby explicitly rejects any liability for the contents Other editors: fotolia, Markus Scholzl of external Internet pages. Prof. Dr. Jutta Schnitzer-Ungefug (jsu) (verantw.) Prof. Dr. Dr. Gunnar Berg ML (gb) Design: Unsubscribe: Agentur unicom, Berlin Please send an email to [email protected] Other authors of this issue: Prof. Dr. Peter Dabrock, Head of the German Copyright: Abbreviations: Ethics Council For the Leopoldina newsletter the copyright ML = Mitglied der Leopoldina Dr. Christiane Diehl, Deputy Head International and all other rights are held by the Deutsche Relations Department (csd) Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Nati-