Pakistani molecular biologist Asifa Akhtar nominated for 2021 Leibniz Prize

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Dr Asifa Akhtar, a Pakistani molecular biologist at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and Vice President of the Max Planck Society, has been nominated for the 2021 Leibniz Prize the German Research Foundation (DFG) for her outstanding work on the regulation of the genome.

The research prize is endowed with 2.5 million euros. 

With her Freiburg team, Asifa Akhtar is investigating epigenetic mechanisms that act in addition to the genes in the cells - and thus help determine which and how genetic information is used. One focus is on molecules that change the chromatin, i.e., the packaging of the DNA, and thus play an important role in controlling gene activity.

“I feel incredibly honored to receive this prize. Above all, I am grateful to my former and current lab members; their dedication and hard work made this award possible,” said Asifa Akhtar.

The Leibniz Prizes will be awarded in a virtual ceremony on March 15, 2021.