2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prizes Awarded for Groundbreaking Discoveries in Genetics and Cancer
Davor Solter and Azim Surani have been awarded the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for their seminal work on genomic imprinting, which laid the foundation for modern epigenetics. Separately, Varun Venkataramani received the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for Young Scientists for his groundbreaking research into how brain tumors interact with neural signaling. These discoveries are recognized for their profound contributions to understanding genetic regulation and developing new therapeutic approaches for cancer.
Solter and Surani Honored with Main Prize
Developmental biologists Davor Solter and Azim Surani will receive the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, endowed with €120,000. The award ceremony is scheduled for March 14 in Frankfurt. They are being recognized for their discovery of genomic imprinting.
Developmental biologists Davor Solter and Azim Surani will receive the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for their discovery of genomic imprinting.
Young Scientist Awarded for Brain Tumor Research
Neurologist Varun Venkataramani will be presented with the 2026 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for Young Scientists, also referred to as the Early Career Award. This acknowledgment is for his research demonstrating how malignant brain tumors utilize nerve currents to accelerate their growth.
Neurologist Varun Venkataramani is recognized for his research demonstrating how malignant brain tumors utilize nerve currents to accelerate their growth.
The Breakthrough: Discovery of Genomic Imprinting
In 1984, Davor Solter and Azim Surani independently demonstrated that certain genes are inherited with only one active copy, either maternal or paternal, while the other copy is deactivated. This finding significantly challenged the prior understanding that every body cell contains two active gene copies.
In 1984, Davor Solter and Azim Surani independently demonstrated that certain genes are inherited with only one active copy, challenging the prior understanding of gene activation.
Their work utilized a cell nucleus transplantation technique. Through this method, they showed that mouse embryos composed solely of maternal or paternal genetic material were not viable. This crucial outcome indicated that mammals necessitate genetic contributions from both parents for proper development.
Surani named this phenomenon genomic imprinting. The mechanism involves epigenetic imprints, which are molecular tags attached to DNA that selectively switch off or deactivate one of the two inherited gene copies. This discovery highlighted that an organism's phenotype is influenced by both its genotype and these epigenetic marks.
Medical Significance: Foundation of Modern Epigenetics
Genomic imprinting is crucial for healthy embryonic development and plays a role in balancing resource competition between the mother and fetus. Approximately one percent of human genes are imprinted, with many involved in signaling pathways that influence health and disease in adulthood.
The work by Solter and Surani initiated the field of modern epigenetics, which studies how gene expression is regulated without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic changes are known to play a role in cancer, contributing to the development of targeted therapies in this area.
The work by Solter and Surani initiated the field of modern epigenetics, which studies how gene expression is regulated without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
Cancer Neuroscience: Unraveling Brain Tumor Interactions
Varun Venkataramani's research focused on gliomas, a type of brain tumor originating from glial cells. He discovered that gliomas form synapses with neurons, enabling them to access electrical signals. These signals have been shown to promote tumor growth and spread.
Varun Venkataramani discovered that gliomas form synapses with neurons, enabling them to access electrical signals that promote tumor growth and spread.
This finding has helped establish the field of cancer neuroscience, which investigates the interactions between the nervous system and cancer. Venkataramani's research has opened a new therapeutic avenue aimed at disrupting the tumor's access to neural signaling. This approach is currently undergoing testing in a Phase II clinical trial.