Highest endowed scientific award for Parkinson's researcher from DZNE

The awardees' research has yielded groundbreaking findings on the genetic risk factors and molecular mechanisms of Parkinson's disease. Gasser conducts research in a senior position at the Tübingen site of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). His area of research is the genetic causes and molecular biological mechanisms that lead to Parkinson's disease. The disease is characterized by the death of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. The causes have not yet been fully elucidated. Gasser and Ellen Sidransky and Andrew Singleton, the other prize winners, have discovered that mutations in certain genes increase the risk of Parkinson's or even directly trigger the disease. These findings provide starting points for causal treatment of at least some forms of Parkinson's. The prize recognizes these discoveries. They have paved the way for studies in which new therapeutic concepts are currently being investigated.

The Breakthrough Prizes have been awarded for more than ten years by American Silicon Valley personalities such as Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin. They are awarded in various categories and, at three million euros, are the world's most valuable annual science prizes.

World‘s Largest Science Prize for Tübingen Parkinson’s Researcher 

Background information and an interview with Thomas Gasser

14.09.2023