Klaus Rajewsky honored with US immunology prize

In 1962, a young Dr. Klaus Rajewsky arrived at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, fascinated by one of immunology’s fundamental mysteries: how the body makes antibodies. More than six decades later, he has not only helped transform immunology, but also contributed to advancing molecular biology and our understanding of diseases. Now, in his 90th year, his life’s work is being recognized with Emory University’s 2026 Max Cooper Prize in Immunology. 

Rajewsky, Head of the Immune Regulation and Cancer lab at the Max Delbrück Center, is one of three recipients of the prize. He joins Dr. Thomas Boehm of the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen and Dr. Tadatsugu Taniguchi of the University of Tokyo, Japan. The $100,000 award, which will be presented in Atlanta on Sept. 29, 2026, recognizes scientists whose discoveries have fundamentally advanced immunology.

A career driven by scientific curiosity

Rajewsky spent his formative years at the Genetics Institute in Cologne (co-founded at the time by Max Delbrück) and 10 years at Harvard Medical School before arriving at the Max Delbrück Center in 2011, where he continues to conduct research today.

In the 1990s, Rajewsky played a pioneering role in the development of gene targeting tools in mice, including conditional gene targeting. Unlike earlier methods that switched off, or modified, a gene in an entire animal, the latter technique allowed researchers to mutate genes selectively in particular cells at a particular time. It became a standard tool in biomedical research worldwide to help researchers understand the function of specific genes in different types of cells, and how cells become specialized to carry out specific tasks.

Using this and other genetic and immunological approaches his group has made major contributions to the understanding of the antibody response, and more broadly, immune cell development, malignancies and response to viral infection in the context of immune deficiencies, including strategies of therapeutic gene repair. 

“What a unique privilege and honor to receive this prize, named after Max Cooper, an admired scientist and old friend,” says Rajewsky. ​“And it is a privilege to receive it together with esteemed fellow scientists, who have all done groundbreaking work in immunology, our beloved common research area.”

One of three winners

The Emory University prize jury has honored two additional scientists with the award:

Dr. Thomas Boehm is Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen, Germany, and Emeritus Director of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg, Germany. The jury cited Boehm for his ​“pioneering work in evolutionary immunology, comparing immune systems across a wide range of vertebrate species to uncover the conserved principles behind how adaptive immunity evolves and functions.”

Dr. Tadatsugu Taniguchi is Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Taniguchi was honored this year for ​“transforming the cytokine field from a descriptive and phenomenological discipline to one firmly anchored in molecular science.” 

Dr. Max D. Cooper is a renowned immunologist at Emory University whose discoveries over more than six decades of research fundamentally changed the understanding of the adaptive immune system with implications for treating human disease. His contributions to the field have earned him worldwide recognition. The award that bears his name recognizes recipients for their transformative and revolutionary achievements in the field.

Further information

• K. Rajewsky Lab
• Immune Regulation and Cancer 
• Profile of Klaus Rajewsky
• Growing up as an Immunologist Among Molecular Geneticists, by Klaus Rajewsky

Contact

Jana Schlütter
Deputy Head, Communications & Marketing
Max Delbrück Center
+49 30 9406 – 2118
jana.​Schluetter@​mdc-​berlin.​de or presse@​mdc-​berlin.​de