Michael Krieg

Prof. Michael Krieg leads the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), focusing on mechanosensation and cell mechanics in health/disease. His research uses C. elegans as a model, combining optogenetics, optical tweezers, and microfluidics to study how mechanical forces influence biology. Key areas include protein condensates in touch sensing, neurodegeneration under mechanical stress, and synthetic neural circuits.

Technological innovations include time-shared optical tweezers for microrheology and photon-based communication systems. He received a Proof of Concept Grant (2023) for advancing these tools. Current projects explore age-related viscoelastic changes in cells and 'prosthetic' cellular communication systems.

Advising and hiring: Open PhD positions in neuronal cell biology and biochemistry master’s projects. Collaborations involve deep learning microscopy and synthetic biology approaches to mechanobiology.