Ben Engel

Dr. Ben Engel is an Assistant Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, since 2022. His research focuses on structural cell biology using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to study organelle architecture and function.

• Investigates correlations between organelle morphology and function
• Researches photosynthesis in marine algae and its response to climate change
• Studies cilia structure and disease implications

His laboratory has made significant discoveries in mitochondrial and chloroplast architecture, particularly in carbon dioxide fixation mechanisms in diatoms. Awards include the ERC Consolidator Grant (2022), Human Frontier Research Grant (2021), and EMBO Young Investigator (2020).

• Develops advanced cryo-ET methodologies for in situ structural analysis
• Collaborates on mitochondrial evolution across eukaryotes
• Focuses on interorganelle interactions (mitochondria-chloroplast coordination)