Dr. Julia Röglin received the Josef-Kimmig Promotion Award 2003

The Alfred-Marchionini-Foundation presented Dr. Julia Röglin with the Josef-Kimmig Award for her distinguished research on controlled freezing and storage of single human sperm cells, which can be utilized for artificial insemination. Each step in this novel low temperature storage technique for simple cells is conducted with the aid of Electron microscopy.

Dr. Julia Röglin developed the basis for her research work during her doctoral studies at HPI in the electron microscopy and micro technology team under the direction of Dr. Heinz Hohenberg and studied for her doctorate under Prof. Dr. Wolfram Schulze, the director of the department for Andrology at the clinic and polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereal disease at Eppendorf University Hospital (UKE).

Julia Röglin investigated new techniques for freezing and cold storage of single human sperm cells. This is important for men having pronounced fertility disorders, whose sperm cells must be extracted by means of testicle or para testicle surgery. Due to the size of the freezing receptacles hitherto utilized, it was not possible to place single cells and then re-find them and to remove them again with out loss. This meant that the patient often had to undergo repeated operations. The application of their innovative method developed by Dr. Röglin has curtailed the necessity for repeated surgery on those patients with fertility disturbances.

Single sperm cells can be deposited in tiny receptacles through a micro cannula within the mine containers made of cellulose carbonate which are enclosed and sealed in two gel-globules. They are then frozen and can be recovered simply when required for the purpose of artificial fertilization. The tiny containers are even adaptable as “intimate chat-rooms” in which artificial fertilization can occur. The minuscule chamber has just enough space for a fertile egg cell: i.e., the sperm cell and the egg cell must “find” one another.

For further information:
Dr. Heinz Hohenberg