Kai Erdmann

Dr Kai Erdmann is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology at the School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, where he has been employed since 2012. His academic career includes leading his research group at Ruhr-University Bochum (2006-2012) and postdoctoral work at Yale University School of Medicine (2005-2006). He obtained his PhD at Ruhr-University Bochum (1993-1996) and was a Feodor Lynen Fellow (2003-2005). Dr Erdmann's research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanobiology, particularly how mechanical cues regulate mechanotransduction pathways and membrane trafficking in disease contexts like fibrosis and cancer.

His work has pioneered using YAP as a model mechanotransducer to identify novel proteins involved in stiffness sensing. Key studies include the role of Fas/CD95 endocytosis in apoptosis regulation and mechanical control of alternative splicing factors. He has published extensively in journals like Nature Communications and EMBO Journal while coordinating the Marie Curie ITN TRANSPOL and collaborating with institutions like Yale University and TU Dresden.

Scientific awards include the

• Feodor Lynen Fellowship (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2003-2005)
• Eurotrans-Bio Award (2011, consortium)

His research is funded by DFG and the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, with recent work exploring organ-on-a-chip models for Lowe syndrome and gut inflammation.