About
Dr. Maikel Rheinstadter is a Professor of Biophysics and University Scholar in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University. He also serves as Director of the Origins of Life Laboratory and Associate Director of the Origins Institute. His research focuses on membrane biophysics, particularly the role of membranes in infectious and neurodegenerative diseases, and the origins of life through studies on RNA formation and proto-cell development under prebiotic conditions. He co-founded Synth-Med, a company developing membrane-based sensors for detecting bacteria in food and water. Rheinstadter holds a PhD (Dr. rerum naturalium) from Saarland University, along with advanced degrees in Physics and Mathematics.
His research interests span membrane dynamics, antibiotic development, and astrobiology. Key contributions include work on lipid rafts, polymyxin antibiotic mechanisms, and erythrocyte-based drug delivery systems. Collaborative projects include developing 'smart' red blood cell carriers for targeted antibiotics and vaccines, as well as exploring prebiotic membrane formation under early Earth conditions.
Rheinstadter has authored over 113 scholarly works in the last decade, with recent focus on biomimetic nanomaterials, X-ray/neutron scattering techniques, and AlphaFold-based protein structure prediction. His lab's innovations include MEDUSA (a computational tool for membrane analysis) and Erythro-PmBs (antibiotic delivery systems).
Teaching responsibilities include courses in biophysics, introductory physics, and integrated science. He has supervised numerous graduate students and postdocs, though specific advisee names are not listed in the provided text.
