BEN LEHNER RECEIVES THE EPPENDORF AWARD FOR YOUNG INVESTIGATORS

Ben Lehner, group leader of the Genetic Systems laboratory at the EMBL-CRG Systems Biology Research Unit and ICREA research professor, has won the 2013 Eppendorf Young Investigator Award. The official Award ceremony took place at the EMBL Advanced Training Centre in Heidelberg, Germany, on June 6, 2013. 
This award honors outstanding work in biomedical research and supports young scientists in Europe up to the age of 35. It is presented in partnership between Eppendorf and the scientific journal Nature.
The members of the jury decided to award Ben Lehner for his discoveries concerning the fundamental question why mutations in the genome result in variable phenotypes. The jury consisted of an independent committee composed of Prof. Reinhard Jahn (Chair), Prof. Hans Clevers, Prof. Dieter Häussinger, Prof. Maria Leptin and Prof. Martin J. Lohse. They also highlighted his contribution to the understanding of how the function of genes is modulated during development and how these insights offer novel approaches towards the understanding of genetic predispositions for diseases. 

“This Award is a testament to the commitment and energy of the past and present members of my laboratory and to our colleagues and collaborators in Barcelona and around the world. Individuals are thankfully all different. One of the main goals of our research is to understand where these differences arise and how they can be predicted”, stated Lehner during the ceremony. 

More information at www.eppendorf.com/award