Markus Linder

Markus Linder is a Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, specializing in Biomolecular Materials. He leads cutting-edge research in biosynthetic materials, with a focus on genetically engineering proteins from natural sources such as silk and barnacle cement to develop sustainable, high-performance materials. His work is closely tied to the LIBER Centre of Excellence and several major research projects, including NextSkins and FIRI BioFoundry, which aim to pioneer living and hybrid materials.

Education:

• Doctoral degree in Engineering and Technology, Helsinki University of Technology (1997)
• Master's degree in Engineering and Technology, Helsinki University of Technology (1993)

His research interests center on biosynthetic materials, where he uses genetic engineering to design proteins that self-assemble into functional materials. These materials are produced in microbes and can exhibit properties like self-healing, adaptability, and high toughness. His vision includes replacing petrochemical-based materials with bio-derived alternatives, contributing to sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A key focus is on spider silk proteins, hydrophobins, and phase separation phenomena in protein solutions.

The recent research articles (2019–2025) reflect a strong trend in protein engineering, self-assembly, and sustainable material fabrication. Topics include artificial spider silk spinning, hydrogel design, protein quantification methods, and microbial-based living materials. These works span disciplines such as material science, biophysics, analytical chemistry, and synthetic biology, often published in high-impact journals like Nature Materials and Advanced Functional Materials.

Scientific Awards:

• VTT Prize for Scientific Excellence (1998)
• Leading edge-lecturer (2015)

Linder actively supervises students and postdoctoral researchers, with over 15 theses supervised. He has secured significant research grants and leads multiple projects funded by national and EU sources. His academic service includes membership on editorial boards, evaluation of funding applications, and participation in tenure track committees. He also engages in public outreach, such as presenting on life-inspired materials to non-academic audiences.

Linder is a key figure in the LIBER Centre of Excellence, where interdisciplinary teams from bioscience, physics, chemistry, and computational modeling collaborate to develop hybrid materials inspired by biological systems. The center focuses on life-like properties such as growth, adaptation, and signal transmission, aiming to create next-generation interactive materials.