An internationally outstanding representative of the extremely innovative research field “Molecular Systems Engineering”, physicist Prof. Dr Christine Selhuber-Unkel, is to receive the Lautenschläger Research Prize for 2023. The prize winner from the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at Heidelberg University conducts research at the interface of materials science and biophysics on biohybrid life-inspired microsystems. The award comes with prize money of 250,000 euros. Dr h.c. Manfred Lautenschläger, the sponsor of the prize and Honorary Senator of Ruperto Carola, has also established a prize for outstanding early-career researchers. This award, endowed with 25,000 euros, goes to biologist Dr Victoria Ingham. At the Centre for Infectious Diseases of Heidelberg University Hospital, she investigates whether, and if so, to what extent an increasing burden of insecticides and rising insecticide resistance impact on the development of the malaria pathogen and its transmission to humans. The award ceremony of the most highly endowed research prize from a private donor in Germany takes place on 22 June 2023.

Prize-winner Christine Selhuber-Unkel
With her research studies, Prof. Selhuber-Unkel pursues the aim of linking synthetic systems from molecular components with living cells. If the cells can be made to transfer their forces and motion to the artificial structures, “living materials” can emerge. These biohybrid, life-inspired microsystems would be independent of external energy sources. Prof. Selhuber-Unkel’s vision is the development of self-regulating bio-tech hybrids, whose functionality extends far beyond the present, purely technical systems. “Prof. Selhuber-Unkel’s studies are characterised by highly innovative and original approaches with the potential for a technological revolution,” according to the statement of reasons for awarding the prize. Christine Selhuber-Unkel – a scientist at the newly founded Faculty of Engineering Sciences – is the founding director of the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) of Heidelberg University.

After studying physics in Heidelberg and Uppsala (Sweden) Christine Selhuber-Unkel earned her doctorate at Heidelberg University in 2006 and then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen (Denmark). In 2010, as a junior professor, she transferred to the Department of Material Science at Kiel University, where she led an Emmy Noether junior research group. The following year, she was appointed Professor of Biocompatible Nanomaterials in Kiel. In July 2020, she accepted a Professorship for Molecular Systems Engineering at Heidelberg University. Before that she spent fairly long research periods abroad with a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York (USA). The scientist has acquired several highly endowed research grants, for example from the European Research Council (ERC), most recently an ERC Consolidator Grant (2020).