We congratulate Dr. Tamer Butto
Foto Peter Kiefer
For the second time, the Rhine-Main universities have presented RMU Awards to outstanding researchers from the participating institutions (Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Technical University of Darmstadt). Junior Professor Dr. Tamer Butto of Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz was honored with the “RMU Award for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovative Medical Therapies,” which was initiated and sponsored by the FFQM Frankfurt Foundation Quality Medicines. His innovative research concept opens up new avenues for the diagnosis of ribosomopathies and has the potential to contribute to more targeted therapies in the long term. Ribosomopathies are rare genetic disorders caused by defects in ribosome biogenesis.
In his research project, Dr. Butto is working on the development of a new diagnostic strategy for ribosomopathies. This involves the use of the NanoRibolyzer, a workflow for long-read RNA sequencing recently developed by Tamer Butto. The NanoRibolyzer generates high-resolution profiles of pre-rRNA processing intermediates as well as rRNA modification patterns, thereby enabling functional molecular insights into defects in ribosome biogenesis.
The overarching goal of the research project is to establish the NanoRibolyzer as a translational platform for the diagnosis of ribosomopathies, moving beyond its role as a research instrument. The study will investigate how disease-associated mutations alter pre-rRNA processing and rRNA modification patterns, and whether these changes can be converted into robust diagnostic signatures. This opens up the possibility of identifying therapeutic targets and patient-specific treatment strategies.
Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl, President of TU Darmstadt and current RMU spokesperson, noted in her welcoming remarks that, with this second presentation of the RMU Awards, one could already speak of a “small tradition” within the university consortium. She added that the joy surrounding this ceremony is particularly great this year, as it follows the success of the Excellence Strategy announcement two weeks ago. The host of Goethe University, President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, thanked the foundations for supporting the RMU in the fields of Health and Society with these two awards.
In his laudatory speech for the award recipient, Prof. Dr. Robert Tampé of Goethe University emphasized: „He takes a fundamental biological mystery, develops a new technological lens through which to see it, and then asks whether that new view can ultimately help patients. From the molecular machinery of the ribosome to the needs of the patient – and, perhaps most importantly, from a young scientist with an idea to an independent scientist with a vision.“ For Robert Tampé, supporting young scientists is key to the future: „And I cannot think of a more meaningful reason to support young investigators: because the future of science is built not only on the knowledge we already possess, but on the willingness to give the next generation the freedom to discover what we do not yet know.“ What better way is there to articulate the founders‘ intentions and the FFQM’s funding objectives?
At the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Henning Blume, Chairman of the FFQM Board of Directors, expressed his delight that this year’s awardee—a promising young researcher—was receiving well-deserved recognition and visibility, and that the foundation was supporting Tamer Butto through the award as he puts his research ideas into practice and establishes his own research group. He noted that Butto is a worthy recipient in light of his forward-looking research and his plan to establish his own research group.
The founders of the FFQM extend their warmest congratulations to both recipients on receiving the RMU Award.
A saxophone ensemble from the University of Frankfurt provided musical accompaniment for the award ceremony. The event concluded on a high note with a performance by the choirs of the three universities.
The foundation presents the RMU Award for Pharmaceutical Research & Innovative Medical Therapies to outstanding early-career researchers. The award recognizes creative, forward-looking research ideas with high scientific and therapeutic potential and comes with a prize of 10,000 euros.
Photos by Peter Kiefer
