Meritxell Huch, director at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), and a member of the Cluster of Excellence, Physics of Life (PoL) Dresden, Germany, receives this year's prestigious Otto Bayer Award from the Bayer Foundation for her pioneering research on human organoids. In addition, four early career scientists are honored with the Early Excellence in Science Awards for their boundary-breaking research in the fields of biology, chemistry, data science and medical science.
Meritxell Huch is receiving the award in recognition for her pioneering research on human organoids. Her work has significantly advanced the use of organoid models in drug discovery, screening, and disease modeling for personalized medicine. Organoids are small, in vitro organ-like structures derived from stem cells. Meritxell and her team have studied the growth and regeneration of animal and human liver and pancreas organoids. Her research is of great importance for the development of new therapies to combat life-threatening cancer in these organs without the need for animal testing. For her scientific work, Meritxell has already received several awards, including the EMBO Young Investigator Award and the German Stem Cell Network Award. In 2023, she was elected to become a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization. Since May 2024, Meritxell Huch has been an honorary professor for stem cell research and tissue regeneration at the Medical Faculty of the TU Dresden.
The Otto Bayer Award is presented alternating with the Hansen Family Award every second year. It recognizes leading scientists working in German-speaking countries for ground-breaking research in chemistry or biochemistry. It was established in 1984 by a provision in the will of Professor Otto Bayer, a former Director of Research at Bayer.
Press Release of the Bayer Foundation: https://www.bayer-foundation.com/winners-announcement-otto-bayer-award-and-early-excellence-science-awards-2024