Prof. Dr Dr Melanie Börries is being honoured with the 2025 German Cancer Award in the category of “Translational Research” for her outstanding research in the field of personalised cancer therapy. Börries is Professor of Medical Bioinformatics at the University of Freiburg Medical School and Director of the Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. She is one of four recipients of this year’s German Cancer Award, one of the most important honours in oncology in German-speaking countries.
‘I am very happy to receive the German Cancer Award. The award not only honours my work, but also that of many colleagues with whom I work every day to shape the cancer therapy of the future,’ said Börries. The German Cancer Award is endowed with 7,500 euros and is presented annually by the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Foundation.
“Prof. Börries is making a decisive contribution to personalised cancer therapies with her research. She is using data-driven medicine to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic – with the aim of treating patients more successfully and in a more targeted manner,” says Prof. Dr Frederik Wenz, Senior Medical Director of the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. “I warmly congratulate Ms Börries on this award.”
“This award not only honours an outstanding researcher, but also a field of research that is essential for tomorrow’s medicine. Prof. Börries combines scientific applications with strategic foresight, which strengthens the visibility of Freiburg’s cancer research far beyond the region,” says Prof. Dr Lutz Hein, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Freiburg.
“I am very happy to receive the German Cancer Award. The award not only honours my work, but also that of many colleagues with whom I work every day to shape the cancer therapy of the future.” (Prof. Dr Dr Melanie Börries Professor of Medical Bioinformatics at the University of Freiburg Medical School and Director of the Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg)
New approaches for more targeted cancer therapy
Her work focuses on the question: Which therapy works for which person and why? To answer this question, Börries uses artificial intelligence and modern biotechnologies to analyse the molecular properties of tumours. Her research has contributed to a new therapeutic approach for so-called graft-versus-host disease, a dangerous immune reaction that can occur after stem cell transplants. The findings are already being incorporated into a clinical study.
She is also developing digital tools to help doctors better understand complex genetic data and translate it into specific treatment recommendations in settings such as molecular tumour boards. Particularly in the case of pancreatic cancer, which is often difficult to treat, her research is helping to make individual predictions about therapy response and chances of survival.
The Freiburg researcher also has responsibilities at the national level. She heads the consortium PM4Onco (“Personalised Medicine for Oncology”), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which uses modern technology, data analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop new treatment strategies tailored to individual patients. At the same time, she is the spokesperson for the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) in Freiburg, a nationwide network of leading cancer centres that aims to translate scientific findings into clinical application more quickly.
