Jan Brüwer receives the Bremen Study Prize 2025

Dr. Jan Brüwer conducted his doctoral research in the Molecular Ecology Department at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen. He studied bacterial communities in the North Sea, particularly during spring blooms around the island of Helgoland. He noticed that a group of bacteria called SAR11 multiplied particularly rapidly during these blooms. Despite this, their cell count decreased. Brüwer and his colleagues were able toshow that it is viruses that afflict the SAR 11 bacteria in this way. They transform the infected cells into zombies – in a transitional state between life and death.

Brüwer completed his doctoral thesis in May 2024 with a summa cum laude grade. He now works at the start-upThalassysand will soon take up a postdoctoral position at the University of Marburg. "I am very happy that my research work is receiving additional recognition through this award. A lot of passion and heart and soul, but also time and money, goes into a dissertation like this, so this appreciation is especially nice," says Brüwer.

The Bremen Study Prize is awarded by the Society of Friends of the University of Bremen and Constructor University (unifreunde) and has been recognizing outstanding academic achievements since 1983. The prize for a dissertation is endowed with 1,000 euros, while the prize for a master's or state examination thesis is endowed with 500 euros.