The director at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden receives the award for the discovery of condensates - cell droplets without a membrane
In 2009, Hyman and his team - during studies on single-cell embryos of a threadworm - discovered a completely new state of biological matter: proteins can accumulate locally in high concentrations in the cell fluid. These "condensates" resemble tiny drops. They form dynamically, sometimes in a matter of seconds, and are usually also quickly broken down again. In the degradation is disturbed - often due to age - toxic substances can be deposited in affected cells, triggering degenerative diseases such as ALS or Alzheimer’s disease. ...
