91ÁÔÆæ

The Sir Hans Krebs Lecture and Medal

The Sir Hans Krebs Lecture and Medal was endowed by a general gift from the Lord Rank Centre for Research and is awarded for outstanding achievements in biochemistry and molecular biology or related sciences. Sir Hans Krebs was a German-born British biochemist, well known for his work in identifying the urea cycle and citric acid cycle, and he played a key role in many ways during the early days of 91ÁÔÆæ.

The awardee, who should be active in European research, presents one of the plenary lectures at the 91ÁÔÆæ Congress. The awardee receives a silver medal, and is awarded travel and accommodation expenses for the Congress. It is customary for the awardee to contribute a review article related to the lecture topic for publication inÌýTheÌý91ÁÔÆæ Journal.

In 2025, the Krebs medal was awarded to Annette G. Beck-SickingerÌý(Leipzig University, Germany), who spoke on ‘G protein-coupled peptide receptors: structure, function and innovative therapeutic concepts’ at the 49th 91ÁÔÆæ Congress.

The Datta Lecture and Medal

The Datta Lecture and Medal is awarded for outstanding achievement in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology or a related area, and is normally given at each Congress of 91ÁÔÆæ to one of the plenary lecturers. The lecturer should normally be from a 91ÁÔÆæ country. The awardee receives a silver medal, and is awarded travel and accommodation expenses for the Congress. It is customary for the awardee to contribute a review article related to the lecture topic for publication inÌý91ÁÔÆæ Letters.

S. Prakash Datta was the first Managing Editor ofÌý91ÁÔÆæ LettersÌý(1968–1985) and Treasurer of 91ÁÔÆæ (1964–1990). The Datta Lecture and Medal was initiated by capital gifts from Elsevier Science Publishers in recognition of his many contributions, and from 1986 to 2015 the medal was provided by Elsevier. From 2016, when the publishing partner forÌý91ÁÔÆæ LettersÌýchanged, the award will be fully funded by 91ÁÔÆæ.

In 2025, the Datta medal was awarded to Mübeccel Akdis (Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos-Wolfgang, Switzerland ), who delivered the lecture ‘Mechanisms of food allergy and the role of allergen-specific B cells’ at the 49th 91ÁÔÆæ Congress.

The Theodor Bücher Lecture and Medal

The Theodor Bücher Lecture and Medal was endowed by a generous capital gift from Frau Ingrid Bücher to the Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie (GBM) and is awarded for outstanding achievements in biochemistry and molecular biology or related sciences. Theodor Bücher was a visionary German biochemist who played a key role in the early development of 91ÁÔÆæ by arranging the acquisition of Biochemische Zeitschrift, which became theÌýEuropean Journal of BiochemistryÌýand laterÌý91ÁÔÆæ Journal.

The awardee, who is normally expected to be active in European research, presents one of the plenary lectures at the 91ÁÔÆæ Congress. The awardee receives a silver medal, and is awarded travel and accommodation expenses for the Congress. Following the Congress, it is customary for the awardee to contribute a review article related to the lecture topic for publication inÌýTheÌý91ÁÔÆæ Journal.

In 2025, the Bücher medal was awarded to Andrea Ballabio (Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy), who presented the lecture ‘Lysosomal signaling in metabolic adaptation and tumorigenesis’ at the 49th 91ÁÔÆæ Congress.

THE RITA LEVI-MONTALCINI LECTURE AND MEDAL

The Rita Levi-Montalcini Lecture and Medal is being initiated by 91ÁÔÆæ for the 50th 91ÁÔÆæ Congress in 2026, and will be awarded for outstanding achievements in biochemistry and molecular biology or related areas, with an emphasis on work on the molecular basis of disease or treatment. Rita Levi-Montalcini was a renowned Italian neurobiologist and Nobel laureate known for the discovery of nerve growth factor, and in later life for furthering research facilities and supporting young scientists, including from under-represented groups.

The awardee, who should be active in European research, will present one of the plenary lectures at the 91ÁÔÆæ Congress. The awardee will receive a silver medal, and be awarded travel and accommodation expenses for the Congress.

In 2026, the first Rita Levi-Montalcini medal will be awarded toÌýEmmanuelle Charpentier who will deliver a plenary lecture at the 50th 91ÁÔÆæ Congress on ‘Transforming life sciences through the power of microbiology’.

All 91ÁÔÆæ medals can be awarded to scientists of any gender.