A remarkable achievement for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn: Prof. Dr. Frank G. Holz, Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and Professor at the University of Bonn, has been shortlisted for the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2026 in the Life Sciences category. His project is now among the 30 most outstanding scientific innovations worldwide in this category, recognized by the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit. Being shortlisted alone represents a significant international distinction. The winners in each category will be announced during the Falling Walls Science Summit, taking place in Berlin from November 6–11, 2026.
Prof. Frank Holz, who is also a member of the University of Bonn's ImmunoSensation³ Cluster of Excellence, was shortlisted for his pioneering work on restoring central vision in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In an international clinical trial led by the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), patients with geographic atrophy, a severe late stage of AMD, were able to partially regain central vision for the first time.
The approach is based on a 2 × 2 mm subretinal microchip implant, which is surgically placed beneath the central retina. The implant replaces the function of degenerated, non-functional photoreceptors and, in combination with specialized camera-equipped glasses, converts incoming infrared light into electrical signals. More than 80 percent of participants experienced significant improvements in visual acuity, while over 84 percent were once again able to recognize letters, numbers, or words following implantation. The study results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
"Having our work recognized as one of the world's outstanding scientific breakthroughs of the year is a tremendous honor for the entire interdisciplinary team behind this project," says Prof. Frank G. Holz. "For many people with advanced macular degeneration, this technology offers genuine new hope. Seeing fundamental research and clinical innovation come together so closely - from the initial idea all the way to benefiting patients - is what motivates us and demonstrates the enormous potential of translational research."
Translating Scientific Discoveries into Technological Innovation
The nomination highlights the strong commitment of the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn to translating scientific discoveries into tangible technological innovations. At the University of Bonn, the Transfer Center enaCom, together with the Technology Transfer Team of the Faculty of Medicine, supports researchers in preparing their scientific findings for practical application. Particularly in medicine, excellent basic research can directly benefit patients by enabling the development of innovative treatment strategies.
"Prof. Holz's work is exceptional both in its scientific excellence and its clinical impact," says Prof. Dr. Bernd Weber, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn. "Being shortlisted for the Science Breakthroughs of the Year is a tremendous recognition of this approach. I warmly congratulate Prof. Holz and his entire team on this outstanding achievement."
The award is presented annually by the Falling Walls Foundation, which is supported, among others, by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The Foundation brings together science, business, politics, the arts, and society to shape the future through impactful ideas.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Frank Holz
Department of Ophthalmology
Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn
E-mail: frank.holz@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Phone: +49 228 28715647
