Massachusetts General Hospital Honors Bonn Neuroscientist
US$ 40,000 awarded to DZNE researcher Frank Bradke
Bonn (Germany)/San Diego (USA), December 15, 2025. DZNE researcher Frank Bradke has received the “Drs. Ayeez and Shelena Lalji & Family ALS Endowed Award for Innovative Healing”, which is funded with US$ 40,000. The award recognizes his research on the growth of nerve connections. The prize is awarded by the Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital, with the prize money donated by the Lalji family.
“This award is a great recognition for our team and also opens up new perspectives for our research,” says Frank Bradke. The neuroscientist’s research group focuses on the growth of nerve connections called “axons”. In particular, the Bonn scientists are investigating what happens when these connections are damaged and how they can regenerate – in other words, regrow. In doing so, they hope to pave the way for new therapies. “Our research has so far focused on spinal cord injuries caused by mechanical impact. As can happen, in an accident. However, nerve connections are also damaged in neurodegenerative diseases. This applies in particular to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, that is, to ALS. In the future, we want to focus our work on this disease as well. This award is therefore a real boost in motivation.”