An interdisciplinary approach is considered crucial for gaining new and valuable insights in the laboratory. This is generally not easy as every discipline has its own research culture. But this does not prevent Karl Gademann from crossing these boundaries,: interdisciplinary work is the major driving force for his research. His research focus lies at the intersection of chemistry and biology, including the isolation and synthesis of chemicals isolated from natural sources.
His core knowledge remains in organic chemistry, with frequent visits between chemistry and materials science or pharmacology and biology. In so doing, he has repeatedly discovered surprising links which, in some cases, have opened up new research fields. For instance, they have led to the development of a number of new treatment approaches in medicine, although a lot of work is still needed before they can be turned into marketable drugs. In this area, Karl Gademann sees himself as a basic researcher, i.e. someone who develops and passes on new ideas.
Inspired by nature
Nature is the prime source of inspiration for Gademann's work. He is interested in naturally occurring bioactive molecules which originate in either animals or plants. He attempts to gain a comprehensive understanding of these molecules: their function, their effects, their structure. Of particular interest to him is their ecological role, i.e. the question why they are produced by organisms in the first place. This approach is similar to a magician's hat from which Gademann is repeatedly able to draw inspirational ideas for new research.
Blue-green algae and Alzheimer's
For instance, after observing that blue-green algae successfully counteract being overgrown by other algae by producing natural products, he was inspired to seek in these microorganisms new agents for fighting malaria. Gademann's research has shown that the algicides found might indeed be effective against the malaria pathogen, which is likely to have adopted components of algae in the course of evolution and thus presents an unexpected Achilles' heel. Blue-green algae also defend themselves against being eaten by provoking peculiar changes in their enemy's behaviour. This got Gademann thinking about neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. And sure enough: blue-green algae contain a substance that effects an enzyme which probably plays a part in the development of Alzheimer's.
Gademann has also conducted other successful forays into nature: his research team synthesised substances found in mushrooms that strongly accelerate the growth of extensions connecting different nerve cells. His latest research takes a close look at old Indian and Chinese medicinal plants that have a similar effect.
Elegance and simplicity
Gademann also specialises in the production of bioactive materials by attaching natural substances on inorganic carriers such as titanium or glass. Here and in the recreation of complex organic molecules in the lab, it is important to find an elegant and efficient way of synthesising the final products. In this context, Karl Gademann's habilitation at the ETH in Zurich already made a noticeable impact when he became the first to chemically produce the iron transporter molecule Anachelin. Thanks to this and other achievements, he was offered an assistant professorhip at the EPFL Lausanne when only 34 years old. Here he founded the chemical synthesis laboratory in 2006. In 2010, he moved to the University of Basel, where he has since been an associate professor of organic chemistry.
Worth 100,000 Swiss francs, the National Latsis Prize is one of the most prestigious scientific awards in Switzerland. The Swiss National Science Foundation presents the prize on behalf of the Latsis Foundation to researchers of up to 40 years of age in recognition of their special contribution to science in Switzerland. The prize will be awarded on 12 January 2012 at the Rathaus in Berne.
Prizes of the Latsis Foundation
The Latsis Foundation was established by the Greek family Latsis in Geneva in 1975. The Swiss National Science Foundation awards the National Latsis Prize on behalf of the Latsis Foundation. In addition, there are four university prizes worth CHF 25,000 each (University of Geneva and St. Gallen, ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne) as well as the European Latsis Prize, which is worth CHF 100,000 and is awarded by the European Science Foundation (ESF).