LMU Awards Nano Innovation Prize for Doctoral Research

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) recognized three promising doctoral works in nanotechnology on July 17 by presenting them with the Nano Innovation Award. The awards honor outstanding dissertations with significant application potential.

Lars Richter received an award for a novel single-molecule microscopy method utilizing DNA nanotechnology to precisely measure dynamic changes in DNA structures. Felix Sieber-Schäfer was recognized for AI-driven nanocarriers for transporting therapeutic RNA, enabling more targeted drug development. Svetozar Gavrilovic's work focused on light-controlled DNA structures, potentially opening new avenues for creating synthetic cell systems.

The prizes represent a collaboration between LMU's Center for NanoScience (CeNS) network and its spin-off companies. This year's awards were funded by attocube systems, ibidi, Nanion Technologies, and NanoTemper Technologies, all companies originating from LMU. The monetary prizes amounted to 4,000, 3,000, and 2,000 euros.

The Nano Innovation Award is presented annually to doctoral candidates in Bavaria whose theses in nanotechnology demonstrate potential for commercialization and technological transfer. It aims to encourage young researchers to explore and pursue the practical applications of their research early in their careers.