German award for York scientist
Posted on 7 September 2001
Professor Sanders will be presented with the award by the Mayor of Hamburg at a public ceremony today (Friday 7 September).
The five scientists lead the world in investigating transport processes across plant cell membranes. Their work is aimed at developing healthy, more nutritious food and animal feed. Using genetic engineering techniques, they intend to cultivate crops which are better equipped to deal with salt, can be grown with a more efficient use of nutrients, and can produced better quality yields.
This award ... demonstrates the exceptionally high regard [Dale Sanders'] work commands
Professor Alistair Fitter
The team also hope to provide long-term solutions to the problems of crop cultivation which beset developing countries. Their work has important implications for agriculture in Europe and North America too. It is anticipated, for example, that new crops would render obsolete the use of meat and bone meal in animal feeds.
Professor Alistair Fitter, Head of York's Biology Department said: "This award, following Dale Sanders' election to Fellowship of the Royal Society earlier this year, demonstrates the exceptionally high regard his work commands. We are delighted to congratulate him on his achievements."
Notes to editors:
- The four scientists who share the award with Dale Sanders are:
- Professor Dr Wolf-Bernd Frommer, University of Tübingen, Germany
- Professor Dr Rainer Hedrich, University of Würzburg, Germany
- Professor Dr Enrico Martinoia, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Professor Dr Norbert Sauer, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
- Professor Sanders was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society earlier this year. This is the premier honour for scientists of Britain and the Commonwealth.
- The Koerber Foundation has worked in the field of international understanding since 1959 and promotes the causes of historical and political culture as well as science and research. It has awarded its European Science Prize annually since 1985