Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser – Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prizewinner 2025
Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg
Robert Zeiser is well-known in the scientific community for his groundbreaking work on the treatment of leukaemia. The aim of his research is to gain fresh insights into the molecular immune processes involved in tumour diseases and the transplant rejection reactions they involve, with the aim of making advances through clinical trials so as to achieve the approval of new medications. Zeiser recognised early on that a certain molecular signalling pathway in the human immune system has a key role to play in rejection reactions during blood stem cell transplants. He successfully implemented this newly acquired immunological knowledge in a new therapy using the active substance ruxolitinib. In other studies, he has examined the mechanisms of immunological “camouflage” that tumours use to escape human immune defence. In leukaemia cells, for example, he was able to show that these cells have special receptor recognition molecules – the TIM3 ligands. Based on these findings, he developed anti-TIM3 antibodies that are used in cancer therapy.
Robert Zeiser studied medicine at the University of Freiburg, where he also obtained his doctorate. He then spent two years as a postdoc at the School of Medicine at Stanford University, USA, before returning to Freiburg to do his clinical training. He received a Heisenberg professorship there in 2013. In 2023, he became director of the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and deputy medical director. Zeiser has received several ERC Grants and numerous academic distinctions, including the Paul Martini Prize awarded by the Paul Martini Foundation and the German Cancer Prize awarded by the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Foundation. He is also a leading figure in the American Society of Hematology.
GEPRIS
In our information system GEPRI you will find an overview of current and completed projects of Professor Dr. Robert Zeiser.