Carl-Gustav Groth Xeno Prize 2023 for Researchers at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

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Press Release

Nicole Fischer and Barbara Gulich, both researchers at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, were awarded the prestigious Carl-Gustav Groth Xeno Prize 2023. The 7,000 USD prize was given in recognition of their publication on the detection of porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) in pigs intended for xenotransplantation. Their paper describes a combined detection method that distinguishes between latently and newly infected animals – a significant advancement in the prevention of graft failure. The award was presented on 25 September, 2024, at the International Congress of the Transplantation Society in Istanbul.

Award winners Nicole Fischer and Barbara Gulich Source: Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

Xenotransplantation, the transfer of animal cells, tissues or organs to humans, is considered an important strategy for addressing the ongoing shortage of human donor organs. The transplantation of organs from genetically modified pigs is the subject of particularly intensive research.

However, xenografts can lead to the transmission of pathogens that are harmless to pigs but could leave humans or the success of the transplant in a critical state. One such pathogen is porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), which is common in pigs and difficult to detect due to its latent nature. PCMV infection has been associated with early failure following heart transplantation of porcine organs into non-human primates. More importantly, a PCMV infection in the first transgenic pig heart transplanted into a human may have contributed to the patient's reduced survival. Sensitive and reliable tests to detect latent PCMV infection are therefore essential.

The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, the German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, which is responsible for regulating xenotransplantation, is also conducting its own research into xenotransplantation safety.

The significance of this research has recently been underscored by an award presented to two researchers from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. Nicole Fischer and Barbara Gulich of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's "Haematology, Cell and Gene Therapy" division were honoured for their joint first authorship of the paper titled "PCR and peptide based PCMV detection in pigs – development and application of a combined testing procedure differentiating newly from latently infected pigs" published in the scientific journal Xenotransplantation.

Combination of Different Methods allows Reliable Detection of PCMV

The researchers developed and validated five specific rabbit antisera against PCMV glycoprotein B (gB) to detect the virus in infected porcine oviduct cells. A combination of test methods, including highly sensitive PCR, an ELISA for the detection of specific porcine antibodies to PCMV gB, and Western blot analysis, allows reliable differentiation between active and latent infections and non-infected animals. These advancements could significantly improve the virological safety of xenotransplantation.

Background – Carl-Gustav Groth Xeno Prize

The Carl-Gustav Groth Xeno Prize, named after the Swedish transplant surgeon Dr Carl-Gustav Groth, is awarded annually by the International Xenotransplantation Association (IXA) and the journal Xenotransplantation (Wiley) to the first author of the best publication in the field of xenotransplantation. The prize is endowed with 7,000 USD and honours outstanding scientific achievements in this field.

Original Publication

Fischer N, Gulich B, Keßler B, Längin M, Fishman JA, Wolf E, Boller K, Tönjes RR, Godehardt AW (2023): PCR and peptide based PCMV detection in pig – development and application of a combined testing procedure differentiating newly from latent infected pigs.
Xenotransplantation 30: e12803.
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