This year's science prize awarded by the Hamburg company Eppendorf AG goes to ItalyThe 2006 award is the 12th research prize awarded by the Hamburg Biotech company to honor outstanding work in biomedical research in Europe. This year, the prize was awarded to Dr. Luca Scorrano (35) from Dulbecco-Telethon Institute, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy, for his pioneering research on programmed cell death.Dr. Scorrano has discovered a mechanism, by which mitochondria through cristal remodeling release a key mediator of apoptosis into the cytosol, opening up new possibilities to control cell death in disease.A scientific panel headed by Professor Dr. Kai Simons has been responsible for selecting the most deserving work. This year there were more than 100 candidates. With this prize, Eppendorf supports young scientists in Europe who are 35 years old or younger.Dr. Luca Scorrano received the prize during a gala dinner attended by over 100 guests from the scientific community and related industry. After opening remarks by Dr. Michael Schroeder, Eppendorf AG Board Member for Marketing & Sales, a speech honoring the achievements of this year’s prize winner was held by Professor Dr. Simons.Luca Scorrano was born in 1971 in Italy. He completed his MD and PhD in Padova. He then moved to Stanley Korsmeyer’s lab at Harvard Medical School. Today, Luca Scorrano is a Group Leader at the Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine in Padova.Eppendorf AG is a leading global supplier of biotechnology systems and research tools, employing more than 1,800 people. In 2005, the company generated sales of nearly 321 million Euros and regular business activity earnings (EBIT) amounting to 50.4 million Euros. High resolution press photo of Eppendorf Young Investigator Award 2006 in DüsseldorfFor more information on the award, see www.eppendorf.com/awards