Basel hormone researcher Christ-Crain receives Otto Naegeli Prize
Published: Wednesday, May 15th 2024, 08:40
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Basel-based hormone researcher Mirjam Christ-Crain will be honored with the Otto Naegeli Prize 2024. The prize is considered one of the most important scientific awards in Switzerland and is endowed with 200,000 francs.
Christ-Crain is the author of over 300 original publications and has published her research several times in the most important medical journals, the University of Basel announced on Wednesday.
The Professor of Endocrinology and Clinical Research at the University of Basel and Deputy Head of the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University Hospital Basel is particularly interested in the cuddle hormone oxytocin.
Christ-Crain intends to use the prize money to further research into this hormone, she told the Keystone-SDA news agency on request. A year ago, she used a new type of test, for which patients were administered ecstasy, to prove that certain people suffer from a deficiency of this hormone.
More cuddle hormone for fewer problems?
The prize money will now go towards studies in which Christ-Crain and her research team are investigating whether therapy with the cuddle hormone can help patients with a deficiency. The study is only in the planning phase, says Christ-Crain. However, patients from all over the world have already signed up to take part.
Christ-Crain was a member of the Swiss Science Council from 2016 to 2020 and has been a member of the Research Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation since 2020.
The award ceremony will take place on June 18 in Basel. Every two years, the Otto Naegeli Foundation awards the prize to outstanding personalities in medical research. The prize was established in memory of the Zurich researcher and teacher of internal medicine, Otto Naegeli (1871 - 1938). According to the University of Basel, the prize has only been awarded to a woman four times in the last 50 years.
©Keystone/SDA
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