Our DKMS Life Science Lab received the award in the category "Molecular Biology" for the development of a method to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection by specific antibodies via a buccal swab. The earlier the CMV status of potential donors is known, the sooner it can be assessed whether they are suitable for a patient in need of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This means that it is an important parameter in the initial donor selection process. With this innovation, our DKMS laboratory makes an important contribution to finding a suitable donor for a patient even faster while at the same time ensuring that a transplantation has the best possible chance of success.

The high-tech company Analytik Jena GmbH presented the Analytik Jena Science Award for the second time. "We are delighted that our scientific work has been recognized by the Analytik Jena Science Award," emphasized Dr. Geoffrey A. Behrens, Business Development Manager at the DKMS Life Science Lab. It is important to us to keep finding new ways and solutions to accelerate and improve our processes - so that even more patients can find a suitable donor as quickly as possible. “Analytik Jena GmbH was and remains an important and valued partner for us in this regard."

"With our equipment and solutions, we are also partner of the scientific community. We see the fact that we contribute directly to pioneering research as both validation and motivation. The Science Award makes parts of these results visible to us as well as to the general public,” says Ulrich Krauss, Managing Director of Analytik Jena GmbH.

Our experts at the DKMS Life Science Lab type up to 7000 cheek swab samples from potential stem cell donors every day, more than 1.2 million per year. In 2017, the laboratory developed this new and innovative approach to CMV testing. It was the first time that this had been done anywhere in the world. As a result, all new DKMS donors are now tested for CMV IgG when they register with us. Previously, this was only able to be done via a blood sample at the CT (Confirmatory Typing) stage.