Stephan Grill wins the 2011 Paul Ehrlich Prize for Young Researchers
60,000 Euros awarded to Dresden biophysicist for his contributions to cell biology
The Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize is one of the internationally most renowned distinctions awarded in the field of medicine in Germany. The Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for Young Researchers has been awarded since 2006. Both prizes are awarded annually on March 14, the date of Paul Ehrlich's (1854-1915) birthday, at St. Paul's Church in Frankfurt.
How Do Cells Differentiate? How do cells differentiate into the various cell types that make up a living organism? Alongside molecular mechanisms, there are mechanical processes that play an important role. The interactions of molecular and mechanical pathways are the focus of Dr. Stephan Grill's research. Grill, a biophysicist, has developed a method whereby mechanical forces in living cells can be measured. Using a laser, his minimally invasive method enables him to destroy particular cellular structures. Their fragments proceed to move away from each other if the structure was under mechanical tension. In this way, the scientist can systematically find out where there are mechanical forces at work in the cell. Grill's method of laser-assisted non-invasive intracellular microsurgery has opened up a whole new line of research which makes it possible to understand the interactions of mechanical and biochemical processes in cell biology.
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