J. Preben Morth

Associate Professor J. Preben Morth from the Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, has been granted the John Kendrew Award 2010. This award is given every year by the Alumni Association at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) to a young scientist who has contributed with innovative research at a high international level after leaving the EMBL.

2010.02.23

Dr Morth received the award in recognition of his work leading to the crystal structure of the sodium-potassium pump. Jens Christian Skou from Denmark discovered the sodium-pump in Aarhus in 1957 and was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in 1997. In 2007, Dr Morth and Professor Poul Nissen co-authored three papers in the same issue of one of the most prestigious scientific journals Nature. In addition, his important contribution to research communication to young people at secondary and upper secondary schools was a determining factor for receiving the award.

It is only the fourth time that this award has been given, and the first time it has been received by a Dane and a protein crystallographer. Young researchers who have left the EMBL within the past five years are eligible to receive the award.

Dr Morth worked on his predoctoral studies at the EMBL in Hamburg from 2001 to 2005. He then returned to Denmark as a postdoc. He was recently appointed Associate Professor for four years financed by a grant from the Lundbeck Foundation. Dr Morth currently has his own research group, which focuses on the bicarbonate and chloride transporters in the plasma membrane. These transporters act as pH sensors in the cell.

With the award follows a monetary gift of EUR1,000 for personal use. The winner will also give a lecture at the EMBL headquarters in Heidelberg as part of its lab day.

The award is named after Nobel Laureate John C. Kendrew, founder of the EMBL and General Director for the period 1972-1982. John C. Kendrew was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the first protein crystal structure.

EMBL in brief

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the world's top research institutions dedicated to basic research in the molecular life sciences. Research at the EMBL is conducted by approximately 85 independent groups covering the spectrum of molecular biology. The laboratory has five units: the main laboratory in Heidelberg, and outstations in Hinxton near Cambridge (the European Bioinformatics Institute), Grenoble, Hamburg, and Monterotondo near Rome. The EMBL is an international, innovative and interdisciplinary institution with 1,400 employees from 60 different countries.

Read more about EMBL's motivation for granting Morth the award (pdf-file).

High-resolution photo (300 dpi)

More information

Please contact Associate Professor J. Preben Morth, Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, +45 6170 5045, jpm@mb.au.dk.