Heidelberg Molecular Life Science (HMLS)
Overcoming Disciplinary and Institutional Boundaries
The molecular life sciences are an outstanding research area of Heidelberg University that enjoys high visibility both in Germany and abroad. The Heidelberg Molecular Life Sciences (HMLS) initiative was developed in order to intensify collaborations within the University and with strong non-university institutions in Heidelberg. Within the framework of this initiative, the University has established strategic networks in eight different research areas of the molecular life sciences; the resulting interdisciplinary and inter-institutional projects make an important contribution to modern biology and molecular medicine.
A Research Council serves as a cross-institutional platform that bundles and coordinates research developments in the life sciences and optimises the flow of information between all parties. The council consists of representatives of all institutions involved in the Excellence Initiative: besides the University, these include the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). The Research Council also coordinates its activities closely with the "Cellular Networks" Cluster of Excellence and the "Hartmut Hoffmann-Berling International Graduate School of Molecular and Cellular Biology“, both of which were established under the Excellence Initiative.
HMLS Investigator Award
With the annual HMLS Investigator Award, the Heidelberg Molecular Life Sciences initiative helps establish and ensure the visibility of the Heidelberg life sciences among the top international research universities. The award is endowed with 200,000 EUR and has been presented since 2008 to researchers of the partner institutions to honour their scientific achievements and their special commitment to the Heidelberg life sciences.
Past recipients of the HMLS Investigator Award are:
2008
Prof. Dr. Bernd Bukau
Professor of Molecular Biology at the Center for Molecular Biology, Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH) · Director of the ZMBH
Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich
Professor of Virology at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg · Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Universität Heidelberg, Medical School
2009
Prof. Dr. Joachim Wittbrodt
Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at the Heidelberg Institute of Zoology · Founding Director of the Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg (COS) · Director of the Institute of Toxicology and Genetics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Dr. Ernst Stelzer
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
2010
Prof. Dr. Irmgard Sinning
Professor of Structural Chemistry at the Biochemistry Center, Universität Heidelberg, Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences · Vice Director of the Biochemistry Center, Universität Heidelberg
Dr. Anne-Claude Gavin
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
2011
Prof. Dr. Michael Lanzer
Department of Infectious Diseases, Universität Heidelberg, Medical School
Prof. Dr. Elmar Schiebel
Center for Molecular Biololgy of Heidelberg University (ZMBH)
