Leopoldina news Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Special edition: Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Annual Assembly 2011

Halle (Saale), 21 October 2011 04|2011

Dear members and friends of the Leopoldina, we can look back on a highly successful Annu- al Assembly in Halle. I am extremely grateful to all members who showed their dedication to the Leopoldina and helped to generate such a high level of academic discussion. I would like to say a special thank you to Vice-Presidents Prof. Dr. Bärbel Friedrich ML and Prof. Dr. Michael Hecker ML, who were responsible for prepa- ring the academic side of the assembly. I was pleased to see how many people attended the event and followed the interdisciplinary dialogue between the humanities, the natural Leopoldina Vice-President Martin J. Lohse welcomed the participants at the start of the three-day Annual Assembly of sciences and the life sciences. The speeches the Leopoldina in Halle. Photo: Markus Scholz given by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Rei- ner Haseloff, also attracted large audiences. Leopoldina Annual Assembly 2011 However, as we all know, after the Annual Assembly is before the Annual Assembly! So explored questions about life I’d like to take a peek into the future and look ahead to the next Annual Assembly, which “What is life?” – the Leopoldina’s Annu- various perspectives adopted by the na- will be held in Berlin from 22 to 24 September al Assembly, which took place from 23 to tural sciences, life sciences and huma- 2012. The topic of this inspiring event will be 25 September in the Kongress- und Kul- nities. The spectrum stretched from the “The role of science in global change”. turzentrum in Halle, put this question origins and development of life, to the at the heart of its academic discussions. diversity and limits of life, to the possi- At the start of his welcome address, Le- bilities of creating artificial life. Over 600 Kind regards, opoldina Vice-President Prof. Dr. Mar- guests attended the three-day Annual tin J. Lohse ML, said that there were Assembly. Among them were 100 pupils no simple answers to the question. He and several Thai students, who had been explained that disciplines vary widely in invited by the Society of German Natural their approaches to the topic, and that Scientists and Doctors (GDNÄ) and had the question can even mean entirely dif- the opportunity to speak to the outstan- ferent things to scientists and scholars ding researchers during the event. from different fields. The comprehensive (mab) Speeches 3 Prizes and Medals 4 programme for the Annual Assembly re- Scientific Lectures 10 flected this diversity. The topics covered Detailed reports are available on the Events 14 a wide range of issues and discussed the following pages. Publishing Details 15 People 16 2 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

Impressions

Jörg Hacker, President of the Leopoldina, welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, at the Kongress- und Kulturzentrum in Halle (from left to right). Photo: David Ausserhofer

View of the banquet hall on the opening day of the Annual Assembly 2011. The Leopoldina New members – including Prof. Dr. Heidi welcomed well over 600 international guests to the three-day event in Halle. Pfeifer ML, shown here – received their Photos (3): Markus Scholz diploma from the President.

The Junge Akade- mie, which was founded by the Leopoldina and the Berlin-Bran- denburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, also participated in the Annual Assembly with its “vita-bios- chaim” event. State Secretary Cornelia Quennet-Thielen (center) attended a plenary session of the members of the Junge Akademie. 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 3

“There are plenty of topics on which policymakers need expert advice.” In her speech, Chancellor Merkel underlined the importance of the Leopoldina. Jörg Hacker, President of the Leopoldina, and Reiner Haseloff, Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, also spoke about the Academy’s role in the research sector in Germany and around the world.

This year, the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel visited the Leopoldi- na Annual Assembly for the first time. In her speech on the opening day, she talked about the importance of scientific advice for policymakers and about the Leopoldina’s role as the German Natio- nal Academy of Sciences in Germany and worldwide. At the start of her speech, Chancellor Merkel said: “There is now one voice that speaks for the German sci- entific community as a whole.” She went on to say that the Leopoldina represents the entire range of the sciences and hu- manities and promotes cooperation bet- ween different scientific and academic institutions. “As a result,” she said, “the public is listening more to what science has to say,” and its voice is being heard internationally. Germany had closed a Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Annual Assembly 2011. Photo: David Ausserhofer gap by designating the Leopoldina as its National Academy of Sciences. The Chancellor emphasised the va- must reach the political sphere and must context. He went on to say that the third lue of the science-based policy advice not be ignored there. The Leopoldina main factor for Germany’s development that the Leopoldina provides: “There takes its scientific responsibility – which into a Republic of Science is continuous are plenty of topics on which policyma- is always also a responsibility towards so- and open communication between sci- kers need expert advice.” In this context, ciety – very seriously.” ence and society, as Germany is a scep- Merkel specifically mentioned the state- In his speech, Prof. Jörg Hacker ML, tical and difficult nation “when it comes ments and recommendations on Pre- President of the Leopoldina, focused fi- to new technologies and living with risks implantation Genetic Diagnosis and on nally on the future role of the Leopoldina and uncertainties.” “Public debate on energy research provided by experts this in the German and international scien- scientific topics is especially important year: “I ask the Leopoldina to continue to tific sphere, in light of the fact that po- in times of increasing uncertainty and intervene and advise us in this way.” In liticians, academics and representatives where ever more complex issues – from Merkel’s opinion, scientific advice serves of other relevant groups plan to develop combating acute infections, to problems as an essential basis for sustainable deci- Germany into a “Republic of Science”. on the financial markets, to questions of sions: “We need the facts to be compiled, Hacker asserted that while science educational policy – demand well-consi- analysed and evaluated in order to make certainly requires reliable funding, “a dered and sometimes fast responses. In sound decisions.” And while such decisi- science republic cannot be built on fi- addition, Hacker stated that science can ons can never be based solely on scienti- nancial support alone; intangible factors only thrive in an international context fic facts, they should never run contrary such as legal framework conditions are and a Republic of Science must be an in- to them, either. just as important in making a location ternational beacon. “That’s why we want In his words of welcome, the Mi- attractive.” Here too, in creating condi- to become a key partner who helps define nister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. tions that are favourable to science, the the agenda of international science and Reiner Haseloff, said that as politicians Leopoldina has an important advisory research, both through our work in the today cannot possibly keep abreast of all function. Hacker made particular refe- large associations of science academies the latest developments, they have to rely rence to legislation on stem-cell research and in a bilateral context.” (mab) on the advice of independent experts. and the implementation of the EU Di- “But the findings of science and research rective on animal experiments in this 4 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

At the Annual Assembly, the Leopoldina honoured outstanding researchers with awards and medals

Cothenius-Medals: Bert Hölldobler, Anna M. and Ulrich Wobus

The ethologist and evolutionary biologist Bert Hölldobler (right) President Jörg Hacker and the General Secretary Jutta Schnitzer- received the Cothenius Medal from Leopoldina President Jörg Ungefug presented the Medal to Anne M. Wobus and Ulrich Wobus Hacker for his research on the social organization of insects. (center) for their works in the field of cell biology and genetic Photo: David Ausserhofer research. Photo: Markus Scholz

The Leopoldina members Prof. Dr. Bert He has received numerous high-level the institute was re-founded and became Hölldobler ML (Würzburg), Prof. Dr. awards including the German Research part of the Leibniz Association. Anna M. Anna M. Wobus and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Foundation’s Leibniz Prize and the Kör- Wobus is a pioneer in stem cell research Wobus (both Gatersleben) received the ber Prize. Bert Hölldobler has always in Germany. She is also committed to the golden Cothenius Medal for their scien- understood how important it is to formu- social aspects of stem cell research and is tific life’s work. late his scientific findings for a wider au- today a leading figure internationally in dience. In 1991 he received the American her branch of research. Her name is also Prof. Dr. Bert Hölldobler (born 1936) Pulitzer Prize for his book “The Ants”, a linked to the establishment of embryonic is highly-regarded internationally as a joint collaboration with Edward Osbor- stem cells in mice and the development behavioural scientist and evolutionary ne Wilson. Even since becoming profes- of functional cardiomyocytes and insu- biologist. After professorships in Frank- sor emeritus in 2004, he has continued lin producing cells. The work of Ulrich furt am Main, at Harvard University and his pioneering scientific research at the Wobus has contributed greatly to the un- Cornell University, he took over the Chair University of Würzburg and has worked derstanding of gene structures, gene ex- for Behavioural Physiology and Social as a research professor at Arizona State pression, gene regulation and molecular Biology at the University of Würzburg in University in the US. Bert Hölldobler has physiology of seed development and sto- 1989. Bert Hölldobler studies the diver- been a member of the Leopoldina’s Zoo- rage substance formation in legumes and sity of social organization in insects, in logy Subsection since 1975. grains. In 1992 Ulrich Wobus became the particular ants, which primarily served Prof. Dr. Anna M. Wobus (born 1945) founding director of the institute evalua- as models for his ground-breaking work and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Wobus (born 1942) ted by the German Council of Science and in the fields of behavioural physiology, have been carrying out exceptional work Humanities which, under the new name behavioural ecology, evolutionary biolo- in the field of cell research, in particu- of Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and gy, social biology and chemical ecology. lar stem cell research (Anna M. Wobus) Crop Plant Research (IPK), was develo- The work of this multi-faceted top re- and structure and function of animal and ped into a centre for cutting-edge plant searcher has resulted in many new dis- plant genes (Ulrich Wobus) at the Acade- research with an emphasis on cultivated coveries about chemical communication my Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop plants. The Gatersleben Gene Bank has and orientation behaviour in animals, Plant Research, Gatersleben since the been given the status “Federal ex situ the dynamics of social structures and 1970s and 1980s respectively. The work collection of agricultural and horticul- the evolution of animal communities. has continued with great success after tural plants”. At the same time genome 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 5

research on grain and high-performance fic aspects and their social implications. in 1792. Originally, the medal was bes- bioinformatics have been established. Anna M. Wobus has been a member of towed for work in the field of medicine. A special trademark of the Gatersle- the Leopoldina’s Human Genetics and Since 1954 the Leopoldina has awarded ben initiatives of Anna and Ulrich Wobus Molecular Medicine Section since 2001. this medal for excellent scientific life’s was their success in conveying science to Ulrich Wobus has been a member of the work, mainly to members of the Acade- the community and in unifying it with ar- Leopoldina’s Genetics/Molecular Biology my. tistic as well as literary aspects. Meetings, Subsection since 1993. referred to as the “Gaterslebener Begeg- The golden Cothenius Medal goes nungen” have been held since 1986 and back to an endowment made by the Le- give natural scientists, social scientists, opoldina member Christian Andreas von writers, artists, publishers, politicians Cothenius (1708-1789) who was also the and ordinary people the opportunity to private physician of Friedrich II, King of exchange ideas about numerous scienti- Prussia. It was awarded for the first time

Carus Medals: Liqiu Meng and Moritz Kerz

The cartographer Liqiu Meng (left photo) received the Carus Medal from Jörg Hacker for her research on the visualization of geodata; the mathematican Moritz Kerz received it for his theoretical works. Photos: Markus Scholz

The Leopoldina awarded the Carus Me- Regensburg receiving his doctorate at age lisation of cartographic knowledge and dal to mathematician Dr. Moritz Kerz 25. In his highly-regarded dissertation, its application. Among other things, she (Duisburg-Essen) and cartographer he proved an assumption by the Russian has designed a series of new methods for Prof. Dr. Liqiu Meng (Munich) for their mathematician Alexander Beilinson on pattern recognition and geodata genera- outstanding research work. Milnor K theory for the case that the rings lisation. Today many of these methods investigated contained a field. This was and algorithms are a standard compo- Dr. Moritz Kerz (born 1983) is a junior followed by papers on higher dimensional nent of cartographic software packages scientist leader in the Emmy Noether Pro- class field theory which were highly estee- and are used in geodata integration. An gramme of the German Research Found- med by experts. In later papers, Moritz important focus of her work over the past ation DFG at the University of Duisburg- Kerz published spectacular results based years was to develop cartographic visu- Essen. Even before finishing his diploma on the assumptions of the Japanese ma- alisation methods for mobile services. thesis Kerz had already published his first thematician Kazuya Kato on the so-called Liqiu Meng has primarily made a name scientific-mathematical paper. He gradu- Hasse Principles. Moritz Kerz has already for herself with context-independent ated with a “Diplom” after six semesters produced fundamental work at a young personalisation, taking the visual cog- in Frankfurt am Main and Mainz. His age. He has accepted a professorship for nition and cartographic communication thesis was on the Gersten’s conjecture the coming semester at the University of theories into account. Her work is of for Milnor K theory. He also published Regensburg. fundamental importance for multimodal a collaborative paper together with his Prof. Dr. Liqiu Meng (born 1963) navigation systems and services. Many of mentor Prof. Dr. Stefan Müller-Stachin from Technische Universität München today’s mobile applications are based on which improved upon the latter’s earlier is one of the world’s leading experts in the groundwork of Liqiu Meng and her findings. Following this, Moritz Kerz did cartographic modelling and geodata visu- working group. Liqiu Meng has been a his PhD with Prof. Dr. Uwe Jannsen in alisation. Liqiu Meng studies the forma- member of the Leopoldina’s Geography 6 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

Subsection since 2011. opoldina. It was first bestowed in 1896. Carus Medal has been linked to the Carus The Carus Medal goes back to an en- The Carus Medal is presented by the Le- Award endowed by the city of Schwein- dowment made on the 50th anniversary opoldina to younger scientists for their furt where the Leopoldina was founded. of the professorship of Carl Gustav Carus distinguished work in the area of scien- (1789-1869), XIII President of the Le- tific or medical research. Since 1961 the

Schleiden Medal: Tom A. Rapoport

The Leopoldina honoured the scientific work of Prof. Dr. Tom A. Rapoport ML, Boston (USA) by awarding him the Schleiden Medal. He receives this award for his formative work in the area of protein transportation.

Prof. Dr. Tom Rapoport (born 1947) is a leading molecular cell biologist acti- ve in the field of protein transportation through membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Over many years he has made pioneering and internationally re- cognised contributions to science. Star- ting in 1985 Tom Rapoport worked at the Central Institute for Molecular Biology, part of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR in Berlin-Buch, and later at its suc- cessor institution The Max Delbrück Cen- tre for Molecular Medicine. He has been Tom A. Rapoport is one of the leading international cell biologists and was presented the a professor of cell biology at Harvard Schleiden Medal for his research in the field of the protein transport from the President Jörg Medical School (USA) since 1995. During Hacker. Photo: David Ausserhofer his time in Berlin, Tom Rapoport and his colleagues were able to demonstrate that teria through the membrane. membrane proteins needed for the for- signal sequences of newly-synthesised In a new project he is studying the mation of ER tubes and has discovered secretory proteins integrate with a sub- mechanism by which secretory and mem- GTPases that fuse these tubes into net- unit of the signal recognition particle brane proteins, which are not correctly works. Tom Rapoport has been a mem- (SRP54) in the ribosome. After transfer- folded, are transported back into the cy- ber of the Leopoldina’s Biochemistry ring to Harvard, he was able to shed light toplasm to degrade there. Another new Subsection since 2003. on the crystal structures of various com- project which Tom Rapoport’s group is The Schleiden Medal, named after ponents in the translocation pathways of working on pertains to the questions of Academy member Matthias Jacob Schlei- proteins. In addition to the structure of how the ER assumes its various shapes. den (1804-1881), a botanist and co-foun- the protein conducting channel, Tom Ra- Tom Rapoport successfully established a der of cell theory, has been awarded since poport and his colleagues also identified cell-free system with which the formation 1955 by the Leopoldina for outstanding the structure of the ATPase, SecA which of ER tubes and networks can be recons- findings in the field of cell biology. actively pushes proteins secreted in bac- tructed. His working group has identified 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 7

Mendel Medal: Regine Kahmann

The scientific work from Prof. Dr. Regine Kahmann ML, Marburg was honoured by the Leopoldina with the Mendel Medal. She received the award for her pioneering work in the field of genetics.

Regine Kahmann (born 1948) is profes- sor of genetics at the University of Mar- burg and a director at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg. She has produced groundbrea- king work in two areas of genetics. Firstly she created the foundations for under- standing sequence-specific recombina- tion in phage Mu. Secondly her work on the parasite fungus Ustilago maydis was decisive in understanding the interaction between this fungus and its host plant on a molecular level. For her pioneering works in the field of genetics President Jörg Hacker awarded the Mendel In her work on phage Mu – a virus Medal to Regine Kahmnann. Photo: David Ausserhofer that attacks an entire series of bacteria – Regine Kahmann could show, among causes corn smut in corn plants. How clusters have also been detected in rela- other things, that determining which this pest and related fungi are able to ted fungi. This sparks hope that new stra- host is infected is regulated by the in- infect their respective crops is still not tegies will be developed in fighting crop version of a specific DNA section. This fully understood today. However Regine pests in the future. inversion is accomplished through so- Kahmann and her working group were Regine Kahmann has been a member called site-specific recombinations. Regi- finally able to uncover fundamental me- of the Leopoldina’s Genetics/Molecular ne Kahmann was able to prove that this chanisms after continuous efforts. The Biology Subsection since 2008. process is stimulated by the FIS protein decoding of the genome sequence has The Mendel Medal, endowed in 1965 of the host bacteria as well as the actual enabled gene clusters for new types of in honour of Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), recombinase. The discovery of the stimu- proteins, which the fungus discharges, is awarded by the Leopoldina for pionee- lation mechanism is considered worldwi- to be identified. These so-called effectors ring work in the area of general and mo- de to be a major scientific achievement. play a central role during the colonisati- lecular biology and genetics. The smut fungus Ustilago maydis on of the plants. Meanwhile, such gene

Medal of Merit: Eberhard Hofmann

The biochemist Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hof- mann ML, Halle (Saale) gets the Medal of Merit for his exemplary activities in his research discipline and his com- mitment to the Leopoldina scholarship programm.

The Presidium of the Leopoldina re- cognised Eberhard Hofmann’s work for Eberhard Hofmann the Academy as well as his dedication, received the Medal ideas and expertise in the field of bioche- of Merit of the mistry by honouring him with the Medal Academy for his of Merit. In his research, Hofmann (born commitment to the 1930) intensively examined various en- Leopoldina. zymes in energy metabolism and their Photo: Markus Scholz 8 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

regulation. Since 1954 he has published Eberhard Hofmann studied biolo- chairman of the Biochemistry Society of around 250 original scientific papers. He gy and chemistry from 1948 to 1956 at the GDR (1967-1971 and 1989-1991) and is also the author of the textbook “Me- Ernst Moritz Arndt University in Greifs- a member of the Academy of Sciences of dizinische Biochemie” which has so far wald. He received his doctorate at Hum- the GDR. He has been a member of the been republished ten times. boldt University in Berlin in 1956. In Leopoldina since 1980. As a member of the review panel of 1961 he received a professorship at the The Presidium of the Leopoldina the Leopoldina Fellowship Programme Medical Academy of Magdeburg and he awards the Medal of Merit for outstan- for junior scientists, and as an officer re- was offered the Chair for Physiological ding services on behalf of the Academy. presenting the field of medicine on the Chemistry (Biochemistry) at the Uni- Every medal is unique. One side bears Preselection Committee (2002-2008), versity of Leipzig in 1967. He took over the portrait and name of the of the per- Hofmann was instrumental in establi- as head of the Institute of Physiological son honoured. The medal for Eberhard shing the Fellowship Programme in the Chemistry two years later and held this Hofmann was designed by Professor Academy’s Medical sector. post until his retirement in 1997. He was Bernd Göbel, a sculptor from Halle

Thieme Award of the Leopoldina for Medicine: Ronald Wolf

The “Thieme Award of the Leopoldina for Medicine” went this year to Ronald Wolf. He was awarded the prize, worth 15,000 €, for his work in discovering the disease-causing mechanisms in psoriasis. The prize was jointly awar- ded by the Leopoldina and the Thieme Publishing Group Stuttgart.

Dermatologist PD Dr. Ronald Wolf (born 1973) is a junior scientist group leader at the Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatolo- gie und Allergologie at Ludwig Maximi- lians University in Munich. He contri- buted early on in his career to the field of neuro-pharmacology and to decoding important mechanisms for developing tolerance to opiates with his dissertation (summa cum laude). In his subsequent work on differential gene expression in psoriasis, Ronald Wolf made a decisive Ronald Wolf received the “Thieme Award of the Leopoldina for Medicine“. Photo: Markus Scholz discovery: the psoriasis candidate gene S100A15 that clearly plays an important the German Research Foundation DFG. manifestation. His work opens up new role in causing psoriasis. The protein en- Ronald Wolf recognised that the ge- intervention strategies for preventing coded by this gene has been named Koeb- nes for Koebnerisin (S100A15) and the and treating psoriasis and other chronic- nerisin as suggested by Ronald Wolf. Its related Psoriasin (S100A7) are active in inflammatory diseases. significance in inflammation and tumour the skin of psoriasis patients before the The “Thieme Award of the Leo- development was discovered during his outbreak of the disease. His psoriasis poldina for Medicine”, endowed with many years of research with Dr. Stuart mouse model, which he himself develo- 15,000 € by the Thieme Publishing H. Yuspa at the National Cancer Institute ped, enabled this activation to be recon- Group, has been awarded every two years at the National Institutes of Health. After structed and the important mechanism since 2007 to young scientists who have his return from the US, this was investi- to be decoded which explains the genetic contributed significantly to new discove- gated further through the establishment predisposition to psoriasis and the out- ries in the areas of aetiology, pathoge- of the Junior Scientist Research Group break of the disease through external in- nesis, therapy and prevention of human at the Skin Clinic in Munich. The work fluences (the Köbner phenomenon). Ro- diseases. It was endowed at the sugges- of Ronald Wolf has been decorated and nald Wolf’s scientific work impressively tion of Dr. Albrecht Hauff, publisher and supported many times including by the links disease genetics with mechanisms personally liable partner of the Thieme Emmy Noether Excellence Programme of for the disposition for psoriasis and its Publishing Group. 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 9

Honoured young scientists: Marc Remke and Viola Kristin Balz

Outstanding young scientists: The physician Marc Remke (left photo) and the science historian Viola Kristin Balz receive the award, each time endowed with 2,000 €. Photos: Markus Scholz

During its Annual Assembly the Leo- The “Georg Uschmann Prize for the tic elements of historical epistemology, poldina awarded young scientists the History of Science” was awarded to Dr. the Actor Network Theory and gender “Leopoldina Prize for Junior Scientists” Viola Kristin Balz (born 1973). Her dis- research, uniting them under her own and the “Georg Uschmann Prize for the sertation “Zwischen Wirkung und Er- single approach. Underlying this was the History of Science” for their outstan- fahrung. Psychopharmaka neu denken. intention of becoming more familiar with ding research. Eine historische Analyse der Wirksam- the history of psychiatrics which frees pa- keitskonstruktionen der Neuroleptika in tients from the role of deviants. Dr. Marc Remke (born 1981) from the der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1950- About the awards: the “Leopoldi- Heidelberg University Hospital recei- 1980” [Between effects and experience. na Prize for Junior Scientists” has been ved the “Leopoldina Prize for Junior Rethinking psycho-pharmaceuticals. An awarded since 1993 and is funded by the Scientists”. Marc Remke did his PhD historical analysis of efficiency structures Karl Lohmann Stiftung. The prize recog- at the German Cancer Research Centre in neuroleptics in the Federal Republic of nises junior scientists under the age of 30 DKFZ and graduated summa cum laude Germany, 1950-1980] set new standards who have done outstanding work in the in 2009. At the research centre he did a and developed a new field of research in areas of science, medicine or the history genome-wide analysis of brain tumours the history of science. Her work presen- of science. The Leopoldina awards the and leukaemia in children. His out- ted for the first time a study on the initial “Georg Uschmann Prize for the History standing scientific work on neoplasias market launch of neuroleptics in West of Science”, which bears the name of sci- in children has enabled Marc Remke to Germany – combined with an investi- ence historian Georg Uschmann (1913- become firmly established in the field of gation into the correlation between self- 1986), to an outstanding dissertation paediatric neuro-oncology/haematology. experiments of participating scientists, on the subject of the history of science. Among other things, he has contributed their treatment of patients (examining The prize was donated by Ilse and Eugen significantly to developing molecular risk numerous patient files at the University Seibold (Freiburg im Breisgau) in 1996. stratification models for paediatric and of Heidelberg) and the changing catego- Both prizes are endowed with 2,000 €. adult medulloblastoma patients. These rical framework of psychiatric diagnosis findings have the potential of being in- and the culture of medicine in the Fede- corporated into therapeutic applications ral Republic of Germany during the early such as individualised therapy. post-war years. She combined systema- 10 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

Bärbel Friedrich, Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, Gerhard Börner (top, from left to right) und William Martin, Ada E. Yonath, Eckard Wimmer (bottom, from left to right) Photos: Markus Scholz A host of different answers to the question of “What is life?”

The academic presentations covered a broad spectrum of topics and bridged the natural sciences, the life sciences and the humanities

Eighteen presentations given by top- field known as “synthetic biology”. cording to Börner, one could say that “the level researchers from a variety of disci- After the keynote speech, Session I, universe is a welcoming place for life.” plines addressed the question of “What entitled “Herkunft des Lebens“ (“The ori- William Martin looked at life from a che- is life?” from very different perspecti- gin of life”), got underway. Prof. Dr. Ger- mical perspective. He said that life was ves. Here is a summary of the lectures: hard Börner (Garching) spoke about a chemical reaction made up of reduced “Die Entwicklung des Kosmos: Vom Ur- organic compounds. Once this reaction The keynote speech was entitled “Le- knall zum komplexen Universum“ (“The expires, it is very difficult to get it started ben aus Sicht der molekularen Biologie“ development of the cosmos: from the again. Martin went on to say that life is a (“Life from the point of view of molecu- Big Bang to a complex universe”), while process that has little to do with equili- lar biology”) and was given by Vice-Pre- Prof. Dr. William Martin (Düsseldorf) brium. For life to come into existence, a sident Prof. Dr. Bärbel Friedrich ML focused on “Chemische Energie, Kom- mechanism must be present that brings (Berlin) on the first day of the assembly. partimierung und Leben“ (“Chemical reagents together at the point of their It focused on the most fundamental unit energy, compartmentation and life”). synthesis. One of the most popular the- of life, cells, and their defining characte- Börner explained that, on the basis of ories of the origins of life is based on the ristics, such as their metabolic and re- precise observations and theoretical idea that either lightning discharges in productive processes and the way they considerations, astronomers now have a the early Earth’s atmosphere or organic exchange genetic information. Friedrich, well-founded model of how the universe substances from space could have crea- a molecular biologist, showed that DNA developed. According to this Big Bang ted an organic “primordial soup”. Howe- sequencing techniques, proteomic ana- model, the universe began steadily ex- ver, deep-sea hydrothermal vents are in- lysis and metabolomic analysis now al- panding and cooling around 13,7 billion creasingly featuring in discussions on the low scientists to explore life-forms that years ago. Equally steady cosmic back- origins of life. Scientists have found that were previously almost inaccessible. The ground radiation in the microwave regi- some of these vents, which are densely technologies also provide information on on provides information on this. What populated with microbes, present chemi- family relationships between organisms, is striking about the development of the cal conditions that are particularly favou- the origins of organisms, and the way universe is the coordination with which rable to transforming carbon dioxide into they interact with other life-forms. The the forces active in physical elementary organic substances. findings from this study of complex life processes led to the creation of planets, Session II, which was also held on processes have opened up a new research complex molecules and, finally, life. Ac- the opening day, focused on “Elementare 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 11

Nediljko Budisa, Petra Schwille, Rudolf Amann (top, from left to right) und Christian Körner, Bernd Simon, Eckhard Wolf (bottom, from left to right) Photos: Markus Scholz, Thomas Meinecke

Lebensprozesse – Synthetisches Leben“ tics of organisms. To date, Wimmer said, types play a big role here. The aim of the (“Elementary life processes – synthetic approaches in synthetic biology have (at research is to identify the genes and cor- life”). First to speak was Nobel laureate least in part) always drawn on natural responding functions that lead to pattern Prof. Dr. Ada Yonath (Haifa/Israel), building blocks. Thus, natural ribosomes variations in the course of evolution. whose presentation was entitled “Ribo- have always been used for translating the In Session III, “Leben – Modelle – somes – factory of life”. Her ribosome re- genetic information contained in DNA. Maschinen“ (“Life – Models – Machi- search has made a decisive contribution Because ribosomes have a highly com- nes”), held on Saturday, Prof. Dr. Nedi- to our understanding of how resistances plex structure, Wimmer explained that it lijko Budisa (Berlin) spoke about “Die to antibiotics develop. Ribosomes are the is currently almost impossible to predict genetische Firewall für das künstliche “universal machines in a cell”; they trans- when scientists will be able to build these Leben“ (“The genetic firewall for artificial late genetic code into proteins extremely components themselves. life“). In his lecture Budisa, a chemist, efficiently, thanks to their spectacular ar- In the evening Prof. Dr. Christine combined fundamental considerations chitecture and high level of mobility. Nüsslein-Volhard ML, winner of the on the definition of life as a unique form In his lecture on synthetic biology, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, of organising matter with concrete insight Prof. Dr. Eckard Wimmer ML (New spoke about “Evolution der Schönheit“ into his research on incorporating non- York) asked, “Sind chemisch zusammen- (“The evolution of beauty”). Using the canonical amino acids into the proteins gesetze Organismen lebendig?“ (“Are zebrafish as an example, she explained of living cells. He presented conceptual, chemically produced organisms alive?”). how colourings and patterns develop methodological and empirical aspects of He showed that the molecular-biological from stem cells. “To understand evolu- what is known as astrobiology. One focus revolution in the natural sciences has tion, it is important to know how colour of this field is dedicated to finding out to helped to explain many biological sys- patterns come about during develop- what extent an integration of “foreign” tems and to support Darwin’s theory of ment,” said Nüsslein-Volhard. “Which components – i.e. those that do not na- evolution – but has not produced a ge- genes are involved, how do they function, turally occur in organisms – can generate nerally accepted definition of life. No- what do they produce?” In fish, colour new characteristics in living systems and netheless, the question of “when does patterns are formed by three different increase biodiversity. Scientists are parti- life begin?” is an important one. Recon- types of pigment cells. On the very first cularly interested in exploring the condi- structing a living bacterium, as US sci- day of embryonic development, neural tions under which these kinds of altered entist Craig Venter did, does not cons- crest cells, which will later develop into life-forms can interact with organisms titute the creation of new life, Wimmer pigment cells, migrate to the body and that have evolved naturally. explained. Neither do the genetically lead to the production of stem cells that Prof. Dr. Petra Schwille ML (Dres- modified genomes, recently proposed by will eventually provide the pattern for the den) gave a talk entitled “Biologische american molecular geneticist George fully grown fish. Migration processes and Selbstorganisation im Reagenzglas – ein Church, that alter the basic characteris- interactions between the individual cell Weg zur künstlichen Zelle?“ (“Biological 12 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

Heinz Saedler, Hans R. Schöler, Karl O. Stetter (from left to right) Photos: Markus Scholz

self-organisation in the test tube – the Basis des Lebens“ (“Diversity, the found- Wolf ML (Munich) spoke about “Tier- road to artificial cells?”). From Schwille’s ation of life”), Prof. Dr. Christian Kör- Biotechnologie – Perspektiven für die prespective, synthetic biology is a disci- ner ML (Basel, Switzerland) also looked Landwirtschaft und die biomedizinische pline that combines research approaches at ecological systems. He used the ways Forschung“ (“Animal biotechnology – from biology and engineering. This ma- in which plants interact to show how perspectives for agriculture and biome- kes it possible to explain the complexity biodiversity helps to keep ecosystems dical research”). The veterinary scientist of living systems as the interplay of func- functioning. Körner focused particu- focused on the opportunities for using tional elements that are simple, but can larly on mountains as habitats that are biotechnological methods in animal be linked as modules. Her research tries particularly rich in species. During his breeding and in biomedicine. In addi- to understand the cell division process in lecture, Körner warned of the dangers tion to finding ways to make breeding E.coli, which is controlled by oscillations of transferring the agricultural concept more efficient, an important area of his in the distribution of different proteins in of limitation (restricting growth for en- work involves generating large animal the cell. Schwille has succeeded in deve- vironmental reasons) to assessments of models for biomedical research. Wolf loping a minimal inhibitor-activator mo- the biodiversity of a habitat. For examp- used a pig model to explain the advances del of this regulatory process. The model le, a human evaluating a high-altitude in research on type 2 diabetes, the most can be used in the lab to generate astoun- habitat might classify the situation as common form of the disorder in humans. ding pattern-formation processes. stressful for certain plants. But in fact, Because humans and pigs are physiolo- In Session IV – “Vielfalt des Lebens“ the plants could be living in precisely the gically very similar, his research group’s (“The diversity of life”) – microbiologist environmental conditions that they need unique model is ideal for developing and Prof. Dr. Rudolf Amann ML (Bremen) to flourish. testing new therapies and diagnostic pro- spoke about “Von der unermesslichen Social psychologist Prof. Dr. Bernd cedures for type 2 diabetes. Vielfalt der Mikroorganismen und ihrer Simon (Kiel) gave a lecture entitled Plant geneticist Prof. Dr. Heinz Erforschung mit genombasierten Me- “Kultureller Pluralismus: Zwischen Res- Saedler ML (Cologne) gave a lecture thoden“ (“The immeasurable diversity of pektzumutung und Politisierung“ (“Cul- entitled „Biologische Revolutionen im microorganisms and their investigation tural pluralism: between politicisation Pflanzenbau. Mutationen verändern die using genome-based methods”). He dis- and expectations of respect”). He explo- Welt“ (“Biological revolutions in crop cussed how organisms that are invisible red the diversity of life-forms – not in farming – mutations change the world”). to the naked eye are actually extremely nature but in social interactions between In it he presented historical develop- important to biomass and biodiversity people. The cornerstone of his theoreti- ments in crop farming, from the Neoli- on Earth. Prokaryotes, single-cell or- cal considerations and empirical studies thic Era around 12,000 years ago, right ganisms with no nucleus, account for was the term “respect”. In modern and up to the present day. In human develop- around 50 percent of global biomass. At enlightened societies, how do minori- ment, the selection and use of a mutant of the very least, there are thought to be se- ties attain recognition of their defining einkorn wheat, where the seeds sat tight veral hundreds of thousands of species of characteristics from the majority? How against the spindle, was a decisive step these organisms, perhaps even billions. do declarations and refusals of respect in the path from hunter-gatherer to se- However, Amann explained, only around change the political views and actions of dentary farmer. Another important step 9,000 have been described to date. In members of these minorities? Simon po- towards today’s efficient agriculture was his research on these organisms and the sits that recognition of cultural diversity the Green Revolution of the 1960s. Back effects of their metabolism, for example can only truly be realised when people then, a mutant of wheat with a short stalk on the global climate, Amann applies me- accept limitations on the actions of their significantly reduced crop failure. Similar thods of quantitative descriptive ecology. own cultural group: “If diversity is to be successes were later achieved with rice. He focuses particularly on metageno- more than just folklore, then it has to In the 1960s around a third of the world mics, which explores the genetic material hurt.” population went hungry. In 1999, said of all organisms interacting in a bioco- On Saturday afternoon, Session V Saedler, that figure was down to just one enosis. explored “Beeinflussung des Lebens“ sixth – even though the world populati- In his talk on Saturday, “Vielfalt, die (“Influencing life”). Prof. Dr. Eckhard on had meanwhile doubled. Saedler also 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 13

Otfried Höffe, Ursula M. Staudinger und Richard Schröder (from left to right) Photos: Markus Scholz

discussed the opportunities of genetic rements and can exist without sunlight. Regular physical activity, like Nordic engineering and the counterproductive These characteristics mean that similar walking, has a measurable effect on men- developments in the field of renewable organisms could exist in any high-tempe- tal abilities. This, Staudinger said, shows resources. rature area containing water – including the extent to which culture can influence Stem-cell researcher Prof. Dr. Hans on other planets and moons. biological processes. Numerous studies R. Schöler ML (Münster) spoke in Ses- Prof. Dr. Otfried Höffe ML (Tü- show that it would be more appropriate sion V about “Das Potential induzierter bingen) gave the next talk, which asked to speak of a “society of prolonged life” pluripotenter Stammzellen in der Medi- “Lässt sich eine Hierarchie des Leben- rather than of an ageing society. zin“ (“The potential of induced pluripo- digen rechtfertigen“ (“Can we justify a Finally, theologian and ethicist Prof. tent stem cells in medicine”). He explo- hierarchy of the living?”) He offered two Dr. Richard Schröder (Berlin) gave a red the use of stem cells in basic research, approaches to finding an answer to the presentation entitled „Ab wann ist der in applied research and in medicine. question. The first is an anthropocentric Mensch ein Mensch? Zum Satus des Schöler explained that the advantage of one, where living things are judged ac- menschlichen Embryos vor Beginn der induced stem cells was that due to their cording to their utility, harmfulness, or Schwangerschaft“ (“When is a person a origins, the ethical conflicts that exist utility indifference for humans. The se- person? On the status of the human em- with the use of embryonic stem cells is cond is a biocentric approach, which ad- bryo before pregnancy begins”) that ex- avoided. He showed that induced pluri- opts a holistic perspective of everything plored the question of whether human potent stem cells have great potential in living and is concerned with things like life already begins in vitro. He spoke supporting tissue transplantations, in de- fitness and the ability to adapt and sur- about the current situation of the debate veloping mouse models for researching vive. From this point of view, insects that causes much controversy in society, human illnesses, and in finding active would be superior to humans. However, most recently in the context of legislati- ingredients for new medicines. However, humans are the only life-forms that can on on preimplantation genetic diagno- most of the work being done in this field purposefully and systematically use (and sis. Schröder noted that the meanings of is still at the basic research stage. Schöler over-use) other life-forms. On the other many terms – including “human” – are said that in the foreseeable future, incre- hand, humans also have a moral capacity often left blurry in discussions on the ased international efforts are expected to and can cooperate. This means they can subject. Vague definitions, however, can contribute to the development of stem- also bear responsibility. So the question lead to uncomfortable conclusions: For cell therapies. is, do they only bear it for their species? example, anyone who says a fertilised Finally, Session VI, held on Sunday, Do they bear it for future generations or egg has the same legal status as a born was dedicated to exploring the “Gren- even for sub-human life-forms? person would also have to agree with the zen des Lebens“ (“Limits of life”). Prof. Psychologist and Vice-President of sentence, “Most people are never born”, Dr. Karl O. Stetter ML (Regensburg) the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. Ursula M. as around 70 percent of fertilised eggs reported on “Leben an der obersten Staudinger ML (Bremen) then spoke are lost to natural causes before the on- Temperaturgrenze“ (“Life at the upper about the “Möglichkeiten und Grenzen set of pregnancy. Schröder says that the temperature limit”). He explained that, des menschlichen Lebens“ (“Opportuni- term “person” has never been properly although Louis Pasteur discovered that ties and limits of human life”). She em- understood, and is calling for a review of heat can kill bacteria living in human en- phasised that there is a vast amount of in- definitions in the debate. vironments, scientists have long known dividual leeway at every stage of human (sa, kh, ca, hst, sms, mab, mba) about the existence of bacteria that thrive development. Humans can exploit this in heat. For example, volcanic areas on potential to varying degrees, depending A new issue of Nova Acta Leopoldina land and in the sea are home to heat- on their upbringing and individual beha- will be published to accompany the An- loving bacteria and archaea that are per- viour. Thus, neither human development nual Assembly 2011. It will contain full fectly designed for life at temperatures nor ageing are biologically determined. documentation of all presentations. between 80 and 113° C. Called hyperther- Staudinger has been doing research for mophilic bacteria, these microorganisms many years on how different lifestyles have extremely simple nutritional requi- affect the ageing process, for example. 14 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

Events 2011/2012

October “Goethe. Die Schriften zur Naturwis- Symposium of the Paul-Martini-Stif- senschaft“ tung and the Leopoldina 22 October Stadtschloss Weimar, Festsaal, Burg- Kaiserin-Friedrich-Stiftung, Robert- 10.00 a.m. platz 4, 99423 Weimar/Germany Koch-Platz 7, 10115 Berlin/Germany Conference: Scientific organization: Peter Scri- “Intensiv- und Palliativmedizin“ 7 November ba ML (Munich), Torsten Strohmeyer Cooperation of the Federal Ministry 1.00 p.m. (Berlin) of Education and Research and the EASAC Anniversary: Leopoldina, (“Bürgerkonferenz“) 10th anniversary Celebration of the 25 November Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Halle, Salz- European Academies Science Advisory 10.30 a.m. grafenplatz 1, 06108 Halle (Saale)/ Council (EASAC) Leopoldina Symposium: Germany Palais des Académies, Rue Ducale 1, “Sepsis 2011 - A translational 1000, Brussels/Belgium approach“ 24 October Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare 12.00 a.m. 8 November Biomedizin, Röntgen-Straße 20, 48149 Leopoldina Symposium: 4.30 p.m. Münster/Germany “Berlin meets Moscow“ Seminar on the History of science Scientific organization: Dietmar Vest- German-Russian Year of Science 2011 Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Eckart ML, weber ML, Hugo Karel Van Aken ML Deutsche Kreditbank Aktiengesell- Heidelberg: “Ein deutscher Hunger: (beide Münster) schaft, Taubenstr. 7-9, 10117 Berlin/ Ernährungskrisen, Ernährungsphy- Germany siologie und Ernährungspolitik im Kontext des Krieges 1914-1918“ 25 October Leopoldina, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße December 6.00 p.m. 36, Auditorium, 06108 Halle (Saale)/ Leopoldina Fishbowl: Germany 6 December “Arbeiten in einem längeren Leben: 4.30 p.m. Wie wir gesund und aktiv bleiben“ 22 November Seminar on the History of science Cooperation of the Leopoldina and 2.30 p.m. Dr. Jutta Eckle (Halle): “Goethe zwi- the Haus der Wissenschaft Braun- Leopoldina Symposium: schen Plus und Minus“ schweig “Strukturen der Rationalität“ Leopoldina, Emil-Abderhalden-Straße Kulturzentrum Schlachthof, Findorff- Symposium of the Leopoldina-Class 36, 06108 Halle (Saale)/Germany straße 51, 28215 Bremen/Germany IV Leopoldina, New Main Building, Lec- 13 December 31 October ture Hall, Jägerberg 1/Moritzburgring 4.30 p.m. 3.00 p.m. 10, 06108 Halle (Saale)/Germany Leopoldina Christmas Lecture: Leopoldina Lecture: Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Meyer: “Vom Prof. Dr. Otfried Höffe ML: 22 November Sinn wissenschaftlicher Mehrspra- “Immanuel Kant - der Weltbürger 7.00 p.m. chigkeit“ aus Königsberg“ Leopoldina Lecture: Leopoldina, New Main Building, Lec- German-Russian Year of Science “Intelligenz ohne Hirnrinde?“ ture Hall, Jägerberg 1/Moritzburgring Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal Univer- Lecture On the occasion of the 10, 06108 Halle (Saale)/Germany sity, ul. Newskogo 14, Hörsaal „Aqua- Symposium „Strukturen der Rationa- rium“, 236000 Kaliningrad/Russia lität“ of the Leopoldina-class IV Leopoldina, New Main Building, Lec- ture Hall, Jägerberg 1/Moritzburgring January 2012 10, 06108 Halle (Saale)/Germany November 12 to 14 January 25 to 26 November 4.30 p.m. 4 November 10.00 a.m. Leopoldina Symposium: 5.00 p.m. Symposium: “Personalisierte Medizin“ Festivity on the occasion of the Pu- “Innovative Therapien in der Scientific organization: Georg Stingl blication of the Leopoldina Edition: Palliativmedizin“ ML, Patrick M. Brunner (Vienna/Aust- ria) 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 15

29 January to 25 March 4.30 p.m. exhibition: “Gart der Gesundheit. Botanik im Buchdruck von den Anfängen bis 1800“ Franckesche Stiftungen zu Halle, Historian Orphanage, House 1, 06108 Halle (Saale)/Germany

22 to 23 March Leopoldina Symposium: “The circadian system: From chrono- biology to chronomedicine“ Goethe-Universität, Campus Westend, Audience Centre, Grüneburgplatz 1, 60323, Frankfurt (Main)/Germany Scientific organization Vorbereitung: Horst-Werner Korf ML

Further information about all events can be found at www.leopoldina.org

Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Miriam Buchmann-Alisch, Online Editor (mba) Links to external websites: Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie PD Dr. Andreas Clausing, Coordinator of the The Leopoldina does its best to select all hyper- der Wissenschaften e.V. Fellowship Programme (acl) links in Leopoldina news and their contents care- Emil-Abderhalden-Str. 37 Dr. Kathrin Happe, Scientific Officer, Department fully, but has no influence on the content or design D-06108 Halle (Saale) of Science – Policy – Society (kh) of the pages linked to. The Leopoldina hereby ex- Tel: +49-345/4 72 39 – 800 Sophia Schemel, Assistant, Department of Science plicitly rejects any liability for the contents of ex- Fax: +49-345/4 72 39 – 19 – Policy – Society (sms) ternal Internet pages. Email: [email protected] Dr. Henning Steinicke, Scientific Officer, Depart- ment of Science – Policy – Society (hst) Abbreviations Editors ML = Member of the Leopoldina Prof. Dr. Jutta Schnitzer-Ungefug (jsu) Copyright (responsable according to the German Press law) For the Leopoldina newsletter the copyright and Prof. Dr. Dr. Gunnar Berg ML (gb) all other rights are held by the Deutsche Akademie Manuela Bank (mab) der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Nationale Akade- Mona Volkmann mie der Wissenschaften, Emil-Abderhalden-Str. Verena Möwes 37, 06108 Halle an der Saale, Germany. Redistribu- tion, including in the form of extracts, is permitted Other authers in this issue: for educational, scientific and private purposes if Dr. Christian Anton, Scientific Officer, Department the source is quoted (unless otherwise explicitly of Science – Policy – Society (ca) indicated by the article in question). Permission Dr. Stefan Artmann, Scientific Officer, Department must be sought from the Leopoldina for commer- of Science – Policy – Society (sa) cial use. Dr. Jörg Beineke, Senior Scientific Coordinator (jb) , 16 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter

People

Deceased members Prof. Dr. Markwardt’s research work was the treatment of congenital deformities, dedicated to the search for animal and reconstructive surgery and traumatology. Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Altmann human anticoagulants. Using hirudin, he ML, was able to identify blood-clotting disor- 7 June 1916 – 31 July 2011 in Würzburg ders and treat them with Aminomethyl- Newly elected members Section Pathology and Forensic Medicine benzoic acid for the first time. This work Prof. Dr. Altmann was admitted to the earned him membership of the Leopoldi- Leslie C. Aiello, New York/USA, Pro- Leopoldina for his seminal work on the na in 1965. fessor Emerita (Biological Anthropology) occurrence of lung cancer caused by the University College London, President of effects of radioactive substances. His Prof. Dr. Rudolf L. Mößbauer ML, the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anth- further key areas included the question of 31 January 1929 – 14 September 2011 in ropological Research (Section Anatomy how liver toxins change liver parenchyma. Grünwald und Anthropology) Section Physics Prof. Dr. Hans Grauert ML, Prof. Dr. Mössbauer’s discovery of the Boris C. Bastian, New York/USA, 8 February 1930 – 4 September 2011 in eponymous Mössbauer Effect earned Professor of Dermatology/Pathology, Göttingen him the 1961 Nobel Prize in Physics, and Department of Pathology, Memorial Section Mathematics membership of the Leopoldina in 1970. Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York The focus of Prof. Dr. Grauert’s work in- The finding proved “recoil-free” emission (Section Internal Medicine and Dermato- cluded algebraic geometry, non-Archime- and absorption of gamma rays from ato- logy) dean functional theory, and mathematical mic nuclei bound in crystal lattices. physics. One of his greatest achievements Andreas Bockisch, Essen/Germany, was solving the “Mordell conjecture for Prof. Dr. Harro Seyfarth ML, Professor of Nuclear Medicine und Di- characteristic p”. He became a member of 6 February 1921 – 13 August 2011 in Leip- rector of the Department of Nuclear Me- the Leopoldina in 1982. zig dicine, Universitätsklinikum Essen (Sec- Section Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthe- tion Radiology) Prof. Dr. Fritz Markwardt ML, siology 3 December 1924 – 10 September 2011 in In 1974 the Leopoldina admitted Prof. Reinhard Fässler, Munich/Germany, Erfurt Dr. Seyfarth to the Academy in honour of Professor of Experimental Medicine und Section Physiology and Pharmacology/ his work in the field of orthopaedics and Director of the Department of Molecular Toxicology general surgery. His key areas included Medicine, Max-Planck-Institut für Bio- chemie (Section Anatomy und Anthro- pology)

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine goes to Jules A. Hoffmann Annette Grüters-Kieslich, Berlin/ Germany, Professor of Paediatric En- Biologist and immunologist Prof. Jules A. Hoffmann ML has docrinology, Director at the Institute of received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He and Paediatric Endocrinology, Otto-Heub- his US colleague Bruce A. Beutler share one half of the over- ner-Centrum, Dean of Charité- Universi- all award, for their work on describing the principles of inna- tätsmedizin Berlin (Section Gynaecology te immunity. Canadian scientist Ralph M. Steinman received and Paediatrics) the other half of the award posthumously for his discovery of dendritic cells, which activate the immune system. Jules A. Michael Hallek, Cologne/Germany, Hoffmann, who was born in Luxembourg in 1941, was director Professor of Internal Medicine, Director of the renowned Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (CNRS) at the Univer- at the Department for Internal Medicine sity of Strasbourg from 1993 to 2005. From 2007 to 2008 he was president of the at Cologne University (Section Internal Leopoldina’s French counterpart, the Académie des Sciences in Paris. Hoffmann be- Medicine and Dermatology) came a member of the Leopoldina in 1988 and was always dedicated to the Academy. For example, he gave the keynote speech when the Leopoldina was named the Ger- Jürgen Hennig, Freiburg/Germany, man National Academy of Sciences in 2008. Hoffmann also spent many years sharing Professor of Medical Physics and Scien- his expertise with the Leopoldina as a member of the Senate, and has only recently tific Director at the Department of Ra- retired from his duties there. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is endowed diology, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg with SEK 10 million (1.1 million €). All Nobel Prizes are traditionally presented to the (Section Radiology) laureates on 10 December – the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel. 04|2011 // Leopoldina / Newsletter 17

Maria-E. Regina Krautwald-Jung- phan, Technischen Universität München hanns, Leipzig/Germany, Professor of (Section Veterinary Medicine) poultry and reptile diseases, Director at the Department of Birds and Reptiles at Berthold Seitz, Homburg/Germany, Leipzig University (Section Veterinary Professor of Ophthalmology und Direc- Medicine) tor at the Eye Hospital, Universitäts- klinikum des Saarlandes (Section Oph- Maode Lai, Zhejiang/China, Professor thalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and of Pathology and Director at the Depart- Stomatology) ment of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University (Section Pathology Claudia Spies, Berlin/Germany, Pro- and Forensic Medicine) fessor of Anesthesiology, Director at the Department of Anesthesiology and Ope- Stephan Lang, Essen/Germany, Pro- ration-Intensive Medicine, Charité Uni- fessor of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head versitätsmedizin Berlin (Section Surgery, and Neck Surgery, Director at the De- Orthopaedics, Anaesthesiology) partment of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Universitätsklinikum Essen (Section Brigitte Vollmar, Rostock/Germany, Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Professor of Experimental Surgery, Di- and Stomatology) rector at the Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University (Section Heymut Omran, Münster/Germany, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesiology) Professor of Paediatrics, Director at the Department of Paediatrics and Adole- David E. Wellbery, Chicago/USA, Pro- scent Medicine, Universitätsklinikum fessor of Germanic Studies and Compa- Münster (Section Gynaecology and Pae- rative Literature and Chair of the Depart- diatrics) ment of Germanic Studies, University of Chicago (Section Cultural Sciences) Konrad Reinhart, Jena/Germany, Professor of Anesthesiology and Intensi- Christian Werner, Mainz/Germany, ve-care Medicine, Director at the Depart- Professor of Anesthesiology, Director at ment of Anesthesiology and Intensive- the Department of Anesthesiology, Uni- care Medicine, Jena University (Section versitätsklinkum Mainz (Section Surge- Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesiology) ry, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesiology)

Marcella Rietschel, Mannheim/Ger- Jochen A. Werner, Marburg/Germa- many, Professor of Genetic Epidemio- ny, Professor of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, logy in Psychiatry, Scientific Director at Director of the Department of Oto-Rhi- Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit no-Laryngology, Universitätsklinkum Mannheim (Section Neurosciences) Marburg (Section Ophthalmology, Oto- Rhino-Laryngology and Stomatology) Hans-Peter Rodemann, Tübingen/ Germany, Professor of Radiobiology, Sabine Werner, Zurich/Switzerland, Head of Section Radiobiology and Mo- Professor of Cell Biology at the Institute lecular environmental Research at the of Cell Biology, ETH Zurich (Section In- Department of Radiobiology and Radio- ternal Medicine and Dermatology) oncology, Tübingen University (Section Radiology) Frauke Zipp, Mainz/Germany, Profes- sor of Neurology, Director at the Depart- Henning Schliephake, Göttingen/ ment of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Germany, Professor of Oral and Maxil- Mainz (Sektion Neuro Sciences) lofacial Surgery, Director at the Depart- ment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Göttingen University (Section Ophthal- mology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Stomatology)

Angelika E. Schnieke, Freising/Ger- many, Professor of Livestock Biotechno- logy, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenste-