Sebapharma GmbH & Co. KG has been awarding the Heinz Maurer Prize every two years since 1996. As the manufacturer of the medical skincare brand sebamed, Sebapharma promotes progress in dermatological science with the 10,000 euro prize.

Prof. Dominique Lunter and Dr. Ziwei Zhang have received the Heinz Maurer Prize for their work in the field of basic research. The research team from the University of Tübingen used confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) to demonstrate how frequently-used formulations and ingredients affect the skin’s lipids in the stratum corneum. In doing so, the pharmacists have tested a new method that will make it easier to take measurements on the skin barrier in the future.*

The second Heinz Maurer Prize was awarded to Dr. med. Carolin Zimmermann and PD Dr. med. Frank Siebenhaar for their work in the field of clinical research. The team of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin was able to demonstrate how mast cells are involved in the defence against bacteria on damaged skin. The scientists established that the messenger substance interleukin-6 leads to better bacterial defence.**

* Z. Zhang, D. Lunter, Eur. J. Pharm. Sci., Vol. 121, August 2018.

** C. Zimmermann et al., PNAS, Vol. 116, October 2019.