Thomas Misgeld

Thomas Misgeld is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich leading a Cooperation Unit at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich. His joint research group investigates axon degeneration—a critical early event in neurological diseases affecting up to 50% of the population—using advanced cell biological approaches.

His research employs in vivo imaging (two-photon microscopy, correlated light-electron microscopy) to study subcellular dynamics in neurodegeneration, with key focuses on axonal transport, mitochondrial dynamics, cytoskeletal remodeling, and subcellular signaling. His lab develops innovative assays for disease models including multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, spinal cord injury, and motor neuron diseases, providing essential tools for therapeutic development.

Prof. Misgeld coordinates the DFG-funded Excellence Cluster 'Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology' (SyNergy), operating an electron microscopy hub for correlative light-electron microscopy with advanced fixation and volume reconstruction techniques. His work bridges fundamental neurobiology and translational applications, offering critical in vivo assays to evaluate therapeutic interventions in neurodegeneration.