Biotech inventors
Last updated: 10.12.2024
The field of biotech has produced many pioneering technologies. Since 2006, dozens of inventors in this field have been recognized by the EPO's annual European Inventor Award. Meet a selection of these brilliant scientists whose genius and vision have made the world safer, healthier and more sustainable.
- Gene-silencing technique to treat diseases
Thomas Tuschl's groundbreaking method of "switching off" human genes has become a vital tool in developing new ways of diagnosing and treating conditions from haemophilia to high cholesterol.
- Genetically-modified mosquitoes to control dengue fever
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When released into the wild, Luke Alphey’s genetically modified mosquitoes mate with female mosquitoes to produce sterile offspring. This reduces disease-carrying mosquito populations and helps to eradicate diseases such as dengue fever.
- Gene-based breast cancer test
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Laura van 't Veer invented a gene-based breast cancer test that evaluates tumour tissue for the 10-year risk of cancer recurrence. This identifies high-risk patients needing chemotherapy while sparing low-risk one from undergoing toxic chemical treatments.
- Lab-grown human organs (organoids)
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Hans Clevers and his team pioneered what are called "organoids". The "mini-organs" are grown from the stem cells of individual patients and allow doctors to test the specific effects of drugs safely - outside the body.
- Artificial spider silk
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Thomas Scheibel uses advanced bioengineering methods to bring one of the most resilient materials found in nature into industrial-scale production. His synthetic spider silk is made by bacteria - no arachnids are involved!
- Modified mRNA for life-saving vaccines and therapies
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Biochemist Katalin Karikó developed a way to modify messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for safe use in the human body, paying the way to COVID-19 vaccines and prospective therapies for cancer and heart disease.
