Nano Innovation Award presented for three doctoral research projects

With the Nano Innovation Award 2026, the Center for NanoScience (CeNS) at LMU Munich, together with CeNS spin-off companies, has once again recognized application-oriented doctoral research in nanotechnology. The award recipients are Lars Richter from LMU’s Department of Chemistry for a novel single-molecule microscopy method, Felix Sieber-Schäfer from LMU’s Department of Pharmacy for AI-supported nanocarriers for therapeutic RNA delivery, and Svetozar Gavrilovic from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry for light-controlled DNA structures.

The CeNS Nano Innovation Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding doctoral research with strong application and technology transfer potential in the field of nanoscience. It is open to doctoral researchers in Bavaria whose work offers innovative solutions to current scientific and technological challenges. The award also aims to encourage young scientists at an early stage of their careers to recognize and further develop the practical potential of their research.

Targeted Development Instead of Trial and Error

Award recipient Lars Richter contributed to the development of a single-molecule microscopy method in his doctoral research project, Dynamic Structural Biology with GETvNA, conducted in the research group of Professor Philip Tinnefeld. The method uses DNA nanotechnology to arrange DNA strands vertically on graphene, an ultra-thin layer of carbon. By measuring the fluorescence of a dye molecule, researchers can monitor dynamic changes in DNA or DNA–protein complexes. This enables structural changes and molecular motions to be visualized with exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution.

In his doctoral thesis, Machine Learning-Enhanced Molecular Dynamics for the Prediction and Optimization of RNA Nanocarrier Systems, Felix Sieber-Schäfer worked in the research group of Professor Olivia Merkel on data-driven methods for developing RNA delivery systems. He combined machine learning, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental formulation research to identify suitable lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles in a more systematic way. The goal was to move beyond labor-intensive trial-and-error approaches and instead develop RNA nanocarriers more efficiently through the integration of data, simulations, and experiments.

Light-Controlled DNA Structures

In his doctoral thesis, Light-Gated Assembly of Membrane-Bound DNA Filaments as Synthetic Cell Modules, Svetozar Gavrilovic, working in the research group of Professor Petra Schwille, developed a platform that enables DNA structures to be assembled on artificial membranes in a controlled manner using light. The approach employs DNA building blocks that are activated only at specific locations by UV light, allowing researchers to precisely control when and where the structures form. This technology may help scientists recreate and better understand processes occurring at cell membranes. In the long term, it could contribute to the development of artificial cell systems or membrane-inspired materials.

All three award recipients conduct their research in groups that are part of the CeNS network. The Nano Innovation Award 2026 is presented by CeNS in cooperation with the companies attocube systems, ibidi, Nanion Technologies, and NanoTemper Technologies. These four CeNS spin-offs provide prize money of €4,000, €3,000, and €2,000, respectively. NanoTemper Technologies was co-founded by Dr. Philipp Baaske, who now serves as LMU Vice President for Entrepreneurship.

“Excellent research gives rise to the market-leading companies of tomorrow,” said Baaske. “And those market leaders have a responsibility to support our next generation of scientific entrepreneurs. As a co-founder of NanoTemper Technologies and Vice President for Entrepreneurship at LMU, the Nano Innovation Award is a cause that is particularly close to my heart.”

The awards were presented on 17 July during the “CeNS meets Industry” career event at LMU’s Faculty of Physics.