Press release: Göttingen University acquires two more “Lower Saxony Research Chairs”

Nr. 155/2011 - 27.07.2011

Successful grants won by the chemistry professors George M. Sheldrick and Lutz F. Tietze

(pug) Göttingen University has once again submitted successful grant applications for “The Lower Saxony Professorship – Research 65 plus” programme. The chemistry professors George M. Sheldrick and Lutz F. Tietze were each awarded a chair that allows them to continue their research at Göttingen University for the next three years as “senior professors”. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture is providing grant money totalling € 465,000. Prof. Sheldrick is an internationally renowned expert in the field of x-ray crystallography. His constantly evolving SHELX set of programs for computer-driven determination of crystal structure based on analysis of diffraction data has become the global standard. Within the Lower Saxony Professorship programme at the Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, Professor Sheldrick will investigate new methods for exploring the structure of crystals and further developing his SHELX software system. As part of his research, he will continue his collaboration with young scientists from Göttingen, Spain and the UK. Prof. Sheldrick, born in 1942, held a Chair in Structural Chemistry at the University of Göttingen from 1978 to the end of March of this year. He is co-project leader of the International Research Training Group for “Metal Sites in Biomolecules: Structures, Regulation and Mechanisms“. His outstanding achievements have been distinguished with numerous awards.

Professor Tietze will also continue his work at the Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, researching new compounds using antibodies for targeted cancer therapy. These agents are used experimentally in selective tumour treatments in which novel highly cytotoxic substances in the tumour tissue are specifically activated, thereby sparing healthy tissue. Additionally, Professor Tietze will be able to continue working on his new concept of “domino reactions“ in organic synthesis involving the production of natural substances and other bioactive molecules. This concept offers huge ecological and economic advantages over conventional methods and makes it possible to assay complex molecules from simple substrates. Furthermore, he and his research group would like to work on developing organic materials for building nanoswitches for future use in data security. Prof. Tietze, born in 1942, is regarded as an internationally leading expert in his field. From 1978 to the end of March 2010, he held a Chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of Göttingen. Among other posts, he was spokesperson for a Collaborative Research Centre and has been distinguished with numerous prices and awards.

Since the Lower Saxony Professorship programme was inaugurated in 2008, scientists and scholars at the State’s universities have had the opportunity to do teaching and research beyond the legal retirement age. This is one way the state aims to prevent a “brain drain” from Germany where emeritus professors take on appointments in foreign countries. This secondary professorship will receive preliminary money from the “Recruit & Retain” funding line, a programme with preliminary funding for projects in Lower Saxony. During this phase, the respective university can re-advertise the professorship to younger scientists and scholars in the usual manner.

Contact addresses:
Prof. George M. Sheldrick, Ph.D.
Georg-August University Göttingen
Faculty of Chemistry – Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
Tammannstraße 4, 37077 Göttingen
Telefon (0551) 39-3022, Fax (0551) 39-22582
E-Mail: gsheldr@shelx.uni-ac.gwdg.de
Internet: shelx.uni-ac.gwdg.de

Prof. Dr. Lutz F. Tietze
Georg-August University Göttingen
Faculty of Chemistry – Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen
Telefon (0551) 39-3271 / -3272, Fax (0551) 39-9660
E-Mail: ltietze@gwdg.de
Internet: www.uni-goettingen.de/de/18917.html