Dr. Daniel Haschtmann with his team.

Manufacturer Grammer has again supported the world's top spine research prize, which was this year awarded to Dr Daniel Haschtmann and his team at the University of Berne.

The Grammer European Spine Journal Award recognised the work of Haschtmann and his team, whose findings have advanced the treatment of vertebral fractures. They analysed fundamental changes in spinal tissue after the fracture of a vertebral body.

Industrial equipment seat manufacturer Grammer AG has collaborated with the European Spine Journal for a decade to recognise outstanding achievements in spine research. The prize money is worth EUR20,000 (USD29.419).

"The close co-operation between science and business has generated many new insights and ideas that Grammer has channeled into developing new seats," says Grammer spokeswoman Andrea Zangl.

For example, in 2002, two German scientists who received the award had investigated the position of the vertebrae in a flexed posture. Prior to their research, it was assumed that the flexed posture would force the nucleus of the spinal disc to migrate to the right of the spinal cord. Hence, sitting upright at all times was encouraged to avoid a flexed posture.

The scientists disproved the assumption and Grammer used the finding to build seats where users could sit in different postures, giving them freedom to move.

Grammer has about 7,200 employees working in 24 fully-consolidated subsidiaries in 17 countries. Its shares are listed in the SDAX segment of the German Stock Exchange.