In Warsaw, awards were presented scientific COPERNICUS – Science in Poland (PAP)

 Two biochemists: prof. Agnieszka Chacińska and prof. Peter Rehling was awarded for the discovery of key mitochondrial biogenesis – the official presentation of Polish-German Scientific Award COPERNICUS was held on Tuesday in Warsaw.
 

The winners of the sixth edition of the competition were prof. Agnieszka Chacińska of the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw and prof. Peter Rehling University Medical Center Göttingen. Awards were presented for joint research since 2001. Winners will receive 100 thousand. euro.

The prize is awarded jointly by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Since 2006. Every two years to get it working together researchers from Polish and German, who can demonstrate outstanding research achievements being the result of this cooperation.

President of the Foundation for Polish Science Prof. Maciej Żylicz said during the ceremony that history has come full circle – COPERNICUS first prize was awarded 10 years ago, also in the field of biology. He argued that from achieving scientific excellence is crucial to international cooperation and the opening of schools for foreign researchers.

DFG President Professor. Peter Strohschneider stressed that the two organizations – FNP and DFG and the two countries – Poland and Germany, tenacious test of time and combines them close friendship and trust. “We can not, however, close our eyes to the fact that this year’s anniversary prizes COPERNICUS done in times of crisis,” – he said. He pointed to the growing power in Europe populist movements, also in Poland and Germany.

“Openness, freedom of expression and joint action are very important for science, but not just for her, also for cultural and economic development (…) “- said the winner prof. Agnieszka Chacińska.

Professor Peter Rehling added that important in achieving success, for which the researchers received the prize, she was direct cooperation and an opportunity to work in one office. “It’s very helpful when you ask the person sitting next to questions such as: + What do you think? Do you think this idea is stupid +? And then you start a discussion that ends up experiment, which can lead to unusual arrangements” – told scientist .

Professor Chacińska and prof. Rehling published 17 joint publications listed in recognized scientific journals worldwide, including the “Cell” and “Science”. Their collaboration started intensively developing scientific exchange of doctoral students and postdocs between centers in Warsaw and Göttingen.

The jury appreciated the discovery by scientists a few key mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis. Mitochondria are known as “cellular power plants”. They are the process of cellular respiration. The tests were carried out using the methods of genetic and molecular biology techniques and biochemistry. The results have revolutionized views on the dynamics and coordination processes import of mitochondrial proteins – decided the jury prize. (PAP)

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