Kurt Alten Foundation supports clinical scientist at MHH in transferring innovative medical-technological approaches to improve liver transplants into clinical practice.
Prof. Dr Anette Melk, Dean of Academic Career Development, Dr Helena Linge, Kurt Alten Clinician Scientist Fellow, Prof. Dr Ulrich von Jeinsen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kurt Alten Foundation at the Joint Symposium and Retreat ‘Science Communication’ of MHH 2025. Dean's Office for Academic Career Development/MHH
The Kurt Alten Foundation is sending out a strong signal for the promotion of outstanding scientific careers and is supporting Dr Helena Linge, a dedicated clinician scientist at Hannover Medical School (MHH). The clinical scientist is researching innovative ways to improve liver transplants, combining medical expertise with state-of-the-art technology. Her field of research - AAV vector transduction in the context of extracorporeal liver perfusion - aims to specifically optimise donor livers prior to transplantation. This could improve organ acceptance and thus make an important contribution to solving the shortage of donor organs.
PRACTIS Clinician Scientist Programme
The funding from the Kurt Alten Foundation enables Dr Helena Linge to further develop her scientific career in a targeted manner as part of the 36-month PRACTIS Clinician Scientist Programme and to transfer new medical approaches into clinical practice.As a Clinician Scientist, she combines medical expertise with innovative research - exactly the combination that is crucial for medical progress.
‘Sustainable medical innovation begins with targeted support for the people who drive it forward. The Kurt Alten Foundation enables clinician scientists like Dr Linge to develop their scientific careers at the highest level.This kind of support is essential to strengthen the next generation of researching physicians and thus transfer innovative approaches to patient care more quickly,’ says Professor Anette Melk, Dean of Academic Career Development at the MHH.
The combination of medicine and technology is becoming increasingly important and opens up enormous potential for the further development of innovative treatment methods. In modern transplantation medicine in particular, technological advances can bring decisive improvements for patients. The fact that the Kurt Alten Foundation recognises this interdisciplinary approach and specifically promotes the careers of clinician scientists is a valuable and sustainable contribution to the future of medicine.
Text: Thorsten Saenger