It all started with a sheep

When Dolly was born in Scotland in 1996, she made international headlines. The cloning of a mammal marked a breakthrough in genetic research. Still at school at the time, Eleni Tomazou was intrigued by the possibilities of genetic engineering and decided to become a scientist.

After various spells abroad, the molecular biologist is now working at the St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute in Vienna, where her team with funding from the FWF are conducting successful research to develop cancer therapy along the lines of precision medicine. One of her achievements was taking a new blood test for tumour cell detection from the lab to clinical practice. Armed with knowledge and creativity, Tomazou is making inroads into hitherto unexplored realms. We may expect her to achieve many more breakthroughs benefitting those affected.