NanoBrain Young Investigator Awards 2026 Presented for the First Time – Three Projects Receive Funding of Up to 30,000 Euros
The Leibniz Science Campus NanoBrain brings together several leading research institutions in Mainz, including the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz University Medical Center, the Institute for Translational Oncology (TRON) gGmbH, the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P), and the Institute for Molecular Biology (IMB) gGmbH. Together, the partners aim to develop conceptually new, innovative, and highly specific approaches for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the central nervous system.
On June 8, 2026, the NanoBrain Young Investigator Awards were presented for the first time by Prof. Dr. Marianne Müller (Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research) in her capacity as spokesperson for the Leibniz Science Campus NanoBrain. This newly established award honors talented early-career researchers whose projects make an important contribution to NanoBrain’s mission. The goal of the award is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration within the consortium, highlight scientific excellence, and strengthen the independence of young researchers.
From among the submitted projects, the NanoBrain Executive Board selected three particularly outstanding initiatives. All of the awarded projects contribute to developing innovative strategies for transporting therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier and advancing new approaches to the treatment of mental illnesses.
The following projects were awarded:
1. Extracellular vesicle-mediated communication between the brain and the periphery in stress susceptibility and resilience: A path to natural nanotransporters for diagnosis and treatment?
Katrin Becker (Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz) and Judith Eberz (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz):
“In our project, we are investigating tiny particles—known as extracellular vesicles—that help the brain and other organs communicate during stressful situations. The goal is to understand why some people are more resilient to stress than others and to explore new avenues for the future diagnosis and treatment of stress-related mental disorders.”
2. A whole-brain quantitative pipeline for the delivery of HSA[1]-nanocapsules and mRNA via hippocampus-specific TUS[2]-BBBO[3]
Judy Kin Yi Cho (University Medical Center Mainz), Dr. Mongkhol Prawatborisut (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research), and Dr. Ting Fu (Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research Mainz):
“In our project, we are investigating the transport of biological molecules, such as mRNA, into the brain using nano- and ultrasound technologies. We are analyzing the efficiency and distribution of nanocapsules that can encapsulate and protect biological molecules after a specific ultrasound technique has paved the way for them to cross the blood-brain barrier. In the long term, the results could contribute to the targeted delivery of active substances to specific regions of the brain.”
3. Synthesis and Evaluation of RNA-Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles for CellREADR[4]-Mediated Targeted BDNF[5]-mRNA Expression in Serotonergic Neurons
Dr. Aidan Izuagbe (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg) and PD Dr. Julia Leschik (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz):
“This project is developing targeted RNA nanoparticles that, using the CellREADR system, enable selective BDNF production in serotonergic neurons. The goal is to create more precise therapeutic approaches for psychiatric and neurological disorders.”[6]
The three award-winning projects will receive funding of up to 30,000 euros per project for a period of twelve months.
We warmly congratulate the award winners and wish them every success in carrying out their research projects.
_______________________________________________________________________
[1] HSA = Human serum albumin (a naturally occurring protein in human blood that, among other things, transports substances and helps regulate the body’s fluid balance)
[2] TUS = Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (a method that uses ultrasound to specifically stimulate certain brain regions from the outside)
[3] BBBO = Blood–Brain Barrier Opening (opening of the blood-brain barrier)
[4] CellREADR = Cell access through RNA sensing by Endogenous ADAR (a method used to specifically activate certain genes only in selected cell types)
[5] BDNF = Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (a protein produced naturally by the body that supports the growth, survival, and connectivity of nerve cells)
[6] The project is developing tiny transport particles that stimulate specific nerve cells to produce a substance (BDNF) that is important for brain health. This is expected to enable more precise therapies for brain and mental health disorders in the future.