PD Dr. Guido Hermey and Dr. Marcel Klein from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) receive the 14th NCL Research Award!

Their project is entitled: “Posttranslational Modifications of the CLN3 Protein and their Implications for CLN3 Trafficking and Function“.

Since 2008, we have regularly awarded the NCL Research Prize (50,000 EUR). The price is the most highly endowed award in the field of NCL childhood dementia and fosters innovative research ideas that are intended to contribute to a better understanding of CLN3 function, the disease, and the development of a therapy.

Guido and Marcel are trying to elucidate structural aspects of the CLN3 protein with particular focus on the functional role of various lipid modifications (palmitoylation, myristoylation). Their working hypothesis is based on various predictions and AI-generated models, and they use various methods such as click chemistry, high-resolution microscopy, immunoblotting and various other molecular and cell biological methods to test their hypothesis.

Congratulations to our two award winners, and we wish them lots of success in pursuing their work!

Many thanks go to the Joachim Herz Foundation, which has once again sponsored the research prize.