We congratulate the winners of the SYNLAB Publication Awards 2025 for their extraordinary dedication and groundbreaking achievements. Their work not only brings prestige to SYNLAB, but also contributes to the quality of healthcare worldwide, inspiring us in our mission to provide actionable diagnostic information for healthy lives and well-being for all. We look forward to continuing clinical impact and innovation in the years to come.
For this year’s award, all scientific publications from SYNLAB colleagues published between July 2024 and June 2025 were considered. Our rigorous selection process, which considers clinical impact, innovation, and bibliometric evaluation, ensures that the most impactful research across our network is recognised. These awards celebrate innovation, excellence, and collaboration in healthcare.
CLINICAL IMPACT
WINNER
SYNLAB Germany
Ulla Schultheiß
MVZ Humangenetik Freiburg, Germany
This study is the first to link genetically predicted and measured lipoprotein(a) levels to cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease, revealing a dose-dependent association and underscoring Lp(a) as a potential causal factor.
Lipoprotein(a) concentrations and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease: Results from the German Chronic Kidney Disease study.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39513193/
Gruber I, Kollerits B, Forer L, Di Maio S, Schachtl-Riess JF, Kheirkhah A, Schönherr S, Schultheiss UT, Köttgen A, Eckardt KU, Coassin S, Lamina C, Kronenberg F. J Intern Med. 2024 Dec;296(6):510-526. doi: 10.1111/joim.20027. Epub 2024 Nov 8.
FINALIST
SYNLAB Italy
Katia Pane, Carlo Cavaliere,
Monica Franzese, Erica Maffei
IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Naples, Italy
The HURRICANE study pioneers integrated genetic and molecular profiling to uncover hidden drivers of residual risk in coronary artery disease, aiming to predict disease progression despite optimal treatment and identify novel targets for personalised prevention and therapy.
Health improvements by understanding residual risk in coronary artery disease and new targets for prevention/treatment: rationale and research protocol of the HURRICANE project.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39949422/
Caselli C, Occhipinti M, Pane K, De Gori C, Rocchiccioli S, Botto N, Prontera C, Cavaliere C, Ragusa R, Vecoli C, Sansone F, Passaro E, Ceccherini E, Morlando A, Clemente A, Franzese M, Maffei E, Punzo B, Gimelli A, Cademartiri F, Neglia D. Euro Surveill. 2024 Jul;29(30):2300651. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.30.2300651.
RECOGNITION
SYNLAB Estonia
Paul Naaber, Marleen Orumaa (née Lõhmus)
SYNLAB Estonia
Estonia’s first national HCV survey reveals a low prevalence of chronic infection (0.8%), providing vital data to guide targeted screening and treatment strategies towards hepatitis C elimination.
Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in the general population: results from a national survey, Estonia, July to December 2022.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39056201/
Hleyhel M, Geller J, Sadou A, Naaber P, Kuznetsova T, Vorobjov S, Lõhmus M, Furegato M, Reed S, Bluemel B, Duffell E, Rüütel K. Euro Surveill. 2024 Jul;29(30):2300651. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.30.2300651.
INNOVATION
WINNER
Synnovis, United Kingdom
Adela Alcolea-Medina
Infection Sciences, Synnovis, London, United Kingdom
A unified, rapid metagenomic workflow enables simultaneous detection of RNA and DNA pathogens in respiratory samples within 7 hours, offering clinically actionable results and outperforming traditional diagnostics in sensitivity, speed, and breadth – paving the way for routine use in microbiology laboratories.
Unified metagenomic method for rapid detection of microorganisms in clinical samples.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38972920/
Alcolea-Medina A, Alder C, Snell LB, Charalampous T, Aydin A, Nebbia G, Williams T, Goldenberg S, Douthwaite S, Batra R, Cliff PR, Mischo H, Neil S, Wilks M, Edgeworth JD. Commun Med (Lond). 2024 Jul 7;4(1):135. doi: 10.1038/s43856-024-00554-3.
FINALIST
SYNLAB Estonia
Kaspar Ratnik
SYNLAB Estonia
Offering women a choice between HPV self-sampling and clinician-based screening significantly boosts participation. Opt-out strategies are more effective than opt-in, especially across age groups, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to improve cervical cancer screening uptake.
HPV self-sampling in organized cervical cancer screening program: A randomized pilot study in Estonia in 2021
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39091000/
Hallik R, Innos K, Jänes J, Jõers K, Ratnik K, Veerus P. J Med Screen. 2024 Aug 1:9691413241268819. doi: 10.1177/09691413241268819. Online ahead of print.
RECOGNITION
SYNLAB Germany
Matthias Willmann
SYNLAB MVZ Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Labor Dr. Bayer, Germany
Functional gut microbiome data can contribute to – but not solely determine – the early identification of cognitive decline. A multivariate gut microbiome model based on functional this data can predict cognitive declinethe transition from normal healthy ageing to mild cognitive impairment over four years, outperforming taxonomic models and offering a promising tool for early Alzheimer’s disease detection.
Prognostic Value of a Multivariate Gut Microbiome Model for Progression from Normal Cognition to Mild Cognitive Impairment Within 4 Years.
Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40429881/
Bauch A, Baur J, Honold I, Willmann M, Weber GL, Müller S, Sodenkamp S, Peter S, Schoppmeier U, Laske C. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May 15;26(10):4735. doi: 10.3390/ijms26104735.