This year, the prize was awarded to Luca Scorrano (35) from Dulbecco-Telethon Institute, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy, for his pioneering research on programmed cell death
This year's science prize awarded by the Hamburg company Eppendorf goes to Italy.
The 2006 award is the 12th research prize awarded by the Hamburg Biotech company to honour outstanding work in biomedical research in Europe.
Scorrano has discovered a mechanism, by which mitochondria through crystal remodelling release a key mediator of apoptosis into the cytosol, opening up new possibilities to control cell death in disease.
A scientific panel headed by Professor Kai Simons has been responsible for selecting the most deserving work.
This year there were more than 100 candidates.
With this prize, Eppendorf supports young scientists in Europe who are 35 years old or younger.
Dr Luca Scorrano received the prize during a gala dinner attended by over 100 guests from the scientific community and related industry.
After opening remarks by Michael Schroeder, Eppendorf board member for marketing and sales, a speech honouring the achievements of this year's prize winner was held by Professor Simons.
Luca Scorrano was born in 1971 in Italy.
He completed his MD and PhD in Padova.
He then moved to Stanley Korsmeyer's lab at Harvard Medical School.
Today, Luca Scorrano is a group leader at the Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine in Padova.
