Major success for the developers of a novel microscope: Three researchers have been awarded one of the most important honors in German science. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the prestigious award in Berlin to physicists Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky, and Jörg Siebenmorgen. They developed the microscope technology at the Carl Zeiss Microscopy in Jena, in the eastern German state of Thuringia.
In previous fluorescence microscopy, a sample prepared with biomarkers - cells or microorganisms - is irradiated with laser light. The light stimulates the biomarker molecules to glow, making biological processes visible. The problem is that the laser light can affect or damage samples. The technique developed by the researchers is designed to prevent this. According to the developers, the gentle process and the high image resolution open up new possibilities for the long-term observation of living cells. This brings new possibilities, for example, for cancer research or understanding early developmental stages of life.
"Only if we can observe the processes can we understand them," Kalkbrenner said at the start of the award ceremony. The three winners had the idea for the microscope back in 2013 - but it was years before the technology was perfected. The device was launched on the market in 2020.
The German Future Prize is worth 250,000 euros and is an award for technology and innovation. Commercial viability is a prerequisite for the prize.
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