International research prize for pharmacist Christina Lamers

The scientist from the Institute for Drug Development at the Faculty of Medicine received the award for her research in the field of the complement system. The complement system is a part of the immune system that contributes to the elimination of cellular antigens, for example bacteria. Her work focuses on the structure-activity relationship of complement inhibitors, i.e. substances that inhibit the activity of individual components of the complement system. In other projects, Junior Professor Dr Christina Lamers is developing and optimising cyclic peptides as complement inhibitors, which could be used in future as therapeutics for the rejection of transplants or autoimmune diseases. ­

„The recognition of my research on the complement system by the internationally renowned expert committee is a great honour and distinction for me and encourages me in my research on the development of cyclic peptides as new and improved complement inhibitors. Cyclic peptides have a number of advantages over classical therapeutics due to their high specificity and activity, similar to antibodies, but are easier to access through chemical synthesis,

said Professor Lamers, who received the award at the „International Complement Workshop“ conference in Newcastle in early September.

Source: Universität Leipzig, press release from 05/09/2023