Katalin Karikó Donation to the University of Debrecen

The high-tech holographic device purchased by the Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Debrecen (DE) from the donation of Katalin Karikó enables more precise surgical interventions, the institution informed the state news agency MTI.

According to the press release, the research biologist, the patentee of the synthetic mRNA-based vaccine technology, donated part of the money awarded to her with the ‘Debrecen Prize for Molecular Medicine’ to support the laboratory's activities.

"With the acquisition of this device, a new era has begun in the life of the laboratory," Zoltán Csernátony, Head of the DE Department of Orthopedics and the Biomechanics Laboratory, was quoted as saying in the press release.

According to him, the holographic device is a special pair of glasses. With its "help, we can enter the so-called mixed reality, where elements of the real and virtual world can be seen at the same time," the professor said, adding that the device can be of significant help during surgery.

Staff at the Biomechanics Laboratory are keen to further develop the software of the tool. It could replace navigation devices, which are very expensive and difficult to use," Zoltán Csernátony said.