Refinement researcher Prof. Thöne-Reineke is receiving the award for her lifetime achievements and for developing methods that allow stress levels and animal welfare to be measured objectively and non-invasively. 

Prof. Birgit Schittek is a molecular physician and conducts research at the University Dermatology Clinic in Tübingen on topics including the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of skin cancer, metastasis, and the development of treatment resistance in melanoma. She developed technically highly sophisticated 3D skin culture models that make it possible to simulate inflammatory skin diseases as well as skin cancer. Using human keratinocytes and organotypic skin models derived from primary human keratinocytes, she succeeded in demonstrating a therapeutic effect of commensal microorganisms on human skin. Unlike parasites, commensal microorganisms—such as bacteria living on the skin— but do not harm it.

Sources:
https://www.dfg.de/de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten-themen/pressemitteilungen/2026/pressemitteilung-nr-19
https://www.medizin.uni-tuebingen.de/de/das-klinikum/einrichtungen/kliniken/hautklinik/forschung/forschungslabore/molekulare-Dermatologie