Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Prof. Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe is the Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Applied Ethics of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bonn. She serves as Director of the Institute for Science and Ethics (IWE) and founded the Bonn Sustainable AI Lab. Her affiliations include the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the European Commission's High-Level Expert Group on AI (2018-2020), and advisory roles at Deloitte, the World Economic Forum, and the Konrad Zuse Schools for AI Excellence. . Education PhD in Applied Ethics, University of Twente (2012) M.A. in Bioethics, Erasmus Mundus (2008) M.A. in Applied Ethics, Catholic University of Leuven (2007) B.Sc. in Honours Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario (2006) Research Interests focus on integrating ethical frameworks into AI and robotics design. Key areas include AI ethics, robotics ethics, digital ethics, care ethics, and value-sensitive design. She pioneered ethical guidelines for care robots and explores systemic risks in AI sustainability. Publication Trends show a shift toward sustainability challenges in AI, analyzing hidden environmental costs, post-colonial biases in AI standards, and structural ethical frameworks. Her work bridges philosophy, technology, and policy to address global AI impacts. Scientific Awards L'Oréal UNESCO For Women In Science Award (2018) Grants include a 3.8M EUR Mercator Foundation grant (2022), 3.5M EUR Humboldt Professorship (2021), NWO Gravitation Grant (2020), and others. She advises governments and institutions on AI ethics and co-founded the Foundation for Responsible Robotics. Labs & Teams : She leads the Bonn Sustainable AI Lab and has directed the Artificial Intelligence Lab at TU Delft. Her work involves interdisciplinary collaborations, including the interdisplinary task force at Aarhus University (2025).
Prof. Joachim Spatz is a Full Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at Heidelberg University and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research. His academic career includes roles as Director at MPI for Metals Research (2004–2015) and Founding Director of the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE). He holds a PhD from Ulm University and habilitation in Physics, with postdoctoral training at the Institut Curie, Paris. His research spans cellular biophysics, materials science, and synthetic biology, focusing on mechanotransduction, cell-material interactions, and engineered biological systems. Education: 1989–1994: Dipl. Phys. (Physics), Ulm University & Colorado State University 1994–1996: PhD (summa cum laude), Ulm University 2000: Habilitation in Physics, Ulm University Research Interests: Spatz’s work integrates biophysics, materials science, and engineering to study cellular mechanics, synthetic cells, and mechanosensing. Key projects include developing synthetic cell models using microfluidics and exploring how mechanical forces regulate cell behavior in health and disease. Awards: 2017 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2012 ERC Advanced Grant (with Prof. B. Geiger) 2002 Alfried Krupp Research Award Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Cellular Biophysics Department at MPI for Medical Research and collaborates with institutions like the Weizmann Institute and Jackson Laboratory. Active in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Max Planck School Matter to Life.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lars Linsen is a full Professor of Computer Science at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster, leading the VISualization & graphIX (VISIX) group. His primary affiliation is the Institute of Computer Science within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. He holds adjunct professorships at Jacobs University, Bremen, and has held previous academic roles including Full Professor at Jacobs University (2012–2017) and Associate/Assistant Professor roles in Germany and the U.S. His research focuses on interactive visual analysis, medical visualization, and scientific visualization, with applications in life sciences and engineering. Education: PhD (Dr.-Ing.) in Computer Science from Universität Karlsruhe (2001), M.Sc. (Diplom) in Computer Science (1997), B.Sc. (Vordiplom) in Computer Science (1994). Awards: IEEE Visualization Design Contest Winner (2008, 2022, 2018), Preis des Fördervereins des Forschungszentrum Informatik (2002). Research Highlights: Develops visualization tools for medical imaging (e.g., mass spectrometry imaging, MRI data analysis) and physical simulations (e.g., wildfire spread analysis, asteroid impact modeling). Active in EU-funded projects like Pig-Pro-QuO (surface coatings) and cells-in-motion initiatives. Supervised over 20 PhD/MS advisees, including notable graduates in medical visualization and simulation ensemble analysis. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles in top venues like IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Computers & Graphics, and EuroVis. Key works include SciVis contest-winning wildfire analysis frameworks and medical visualization tools for stenosis detection. Teaching: Offers courses on visualization, computer graphics, and computational science. Actively involved in thesis supervision and curriculum development at both WWU Münster and Jacobs University. Grants & Collaborations: Principal investigator on DFG-funded projects (e.g., hemodynamics simulations, ensemble visualization) and industry collaborations (e.g., Tascon GmbH for coating quality analysis). Member of the Cells-in-Motion Interfaculty Centre and CDH board at WWU.
Prof. Dr. Ralph Bock serves as Director of Department 3: Organelle Biology, Biotechnology and Molecular Ecophysiology at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany, where he also leads the Organelle Biology and Biotechnology research group. Previously, he held positions as C4 Professor for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Münster (2001-2004) and Group Leader at the Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg (1996-2001). His academic credentials include: Habilitation: University of Freiburg, 1999 Doctorate: University of Freiburg, 1996 Diploma: University of Halle, 1993 Prof. Bock's research focuses on plant molecular biology with particular emphasis on chloroplast biology, organelle biotechnology, and molecular ecophysiology. His work spans genetic engineering of plastids, photosynthesis research, plant biotechnology applications, and understanding organelle-nucleus communication. He has made significant contributions to developing chloroplast transformation systems and applying them to molecular farming, metabolic engineering, and understanding fundamental processes in plant cell biology. His research has important implications for sustainable agriculture, bioenergy, and pharmaceutical production, particularly through the development of plant-based systems for producing vaccines and therapeutic proteins. Analysis of Prof. Bock's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on chloroplast biology, genetic engineering, and molecular farming applications. His work spans fundamental research on organelle genetics, photosynthesis, and stress responses, as well as applied research on using plant and algal systems for biopharmaceutical production. A notable trend is the increasing use of advanced genetic engineering techniques, including CRISPR-based approaches, to manipulate organelle genomes. His research also shows growing interest in algal systems as alternative expression platforms for molecular farming, particularly red algae like Porphyridium for producing viral antigens and glycoproteins.
Prof. Jürgen Rühe is a Full Professor of Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces at the Institute of Microsystems Technology, Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, within the Faculty of Engineering. He serves as Deputy Coordinator of Research Area C and Principal Investigator for Research Areas A, B, C, and D. His expertise spans polymers at interfaces, metamaterials, biomedical surfaces, and self-healing materials. He leads the Cluster of Excellence liv MatS, focusing on adaptive and energy-autonomous materials systems. Education: Not explicitly stated in text. His research emphasizes programmable materials, 4D printing, and bioinspired design, with projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Notable contributions include anti-fog coatings, magnetic microactuators for cell stimulation, and hygromorphic materials for adaptive architecture. He supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, advancing fields like tribology and surface functionalization. Key scientific achievements include developing C,H-insertion cross-linking (CHic) for durable polymer networks and exploring smart materials for biomedical and environmental applications. His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical applications in energy, healthcare, and sustainable architecture. He advises over ten doctoral students and collaborates with industry partners. His lab, part of the Institute of Microsystems Technology, focuses on micro- and nanostructuring, with projects funded by the Cluster of Excellence.
Professor Ralf Stanewsky leads the Stanewsky Group at the Institute of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology, University of Münster. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster , particularly how environmental cues like light and temperature reset the circadian clock. The group employs genetic, molecular, histological, and behavioral approaches to study sensory pathways and their integration in central clock neurons. Member of the Multiscale Imaging Centre (MIC) and Imaging Network – Microscopy Current lab members: Ph.D. students Anna Katharina Eick, Angelica Coculla, Maia Zabel Barroso Technical assistants Regina Hube and Ume Aiman Research Themes Light and temperature synchronization of circadian clocks Temperature compensation mechanisms in biological timing Neuronal integration of environmental signals Evolutionary aspects of circadian regulation Professor Stanewsky’s work spans molecular clock components (e.g., cryptochromes, timeless gene variants) to broader ecological implications of temporal niche choice. His lab investigates how clock gene expression responds to seasonal changes and environmental stressors, while also exploring novel synchronization pathways beyond classical photoreceptors. Publication Trends Recent articles emphasize temperature-dependent clock regulation , evolutionary capacitance via Hsp90 , and non-canonical phototransduction in circadian systems. Key subfields include nuclear transport dynamics, kinase evolution, and computational modeling of periodic patterns across species. Contact Information Institute of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology, University of Münster MIC | Röntgenstraße 16, D-48149 Münster, Germany Email: stanewsky@uni-muenster.de Phone: +49 251 8321029
Prof. Gabriele Schrag holds the Professorship of Microsensors and Actuators at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. Her research focuses on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), including microsensors, actuators, and their applications in acoustics, microfluidics, and bioengineering. She has pioneered work in virtual prototyping for system-level modeling to enhance device robustness and performance. Education: PhD (summa cum laude) from TUM on 'Modeling coupled effects in microsystems' Habilitation in sensor systems technology (2018) Acting head of the Chair of Technical Electrophysics (2018-2023) Research emphasizes acoustic MEMS transducers , electrohydrodynamic printing , and physics-based modeling . Notable projects include developing piezoelectric MEMS microphones with corrugated membranes and integrated micropump systems. Awards include the Bavarian Prize for Good Teaching (2021) and Eurosensors Fellow Award (2019). Her work bridges virtual prototyping with real-world applications , addressing challenges in miniaturization, energy efficiency, and sensor integration for medical and industrial systems.
Prof. Dr. Jörg Stülke is a full Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Department of General Microbiology at the Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen. He has held this position since 2003 and leads an active research group focused on bacterial metabolism and gene regulation. His research spans two major model systems: the pathogenic bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the well-studied Bacillus subtilis . His group employs systems-level approaches including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics to understand metabolic regulation and gene expression. Key interests include protein phosphorylation, RNA-mediated regulation, mRNA processing, and the role of second messengers such as cyclic di-AMP in bacterial physiology and pathogenicity. The recent publications reveal a strong trend in molecular microbiology, functional genomics, and systems biology. His work often integrates experimental and computational methods, particularly evident in the development and maintenance of the SubtiWiki database for B. subtilis . The research bridges fundamental mechanisms of life with applications in understanding bacterial virulence and cellular homeostasis. He is affiliated with several graduate programs under the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB), including: Molecular Biology (IMPRS) Biomolecules: Structure - Function - Dynamics (GZMB) Molecular Biology of Cells (GZMB) Microbiology and Biochemistry Genome Science (IMPRS) While no individual students are listed, he clearly supervises doctoral candidates through these programs. His group has secured significant research output, including publications in Science , Nucleic Acids Research , and PLOS Pathogens , indicating successful grant funding and collaborative research. The lab maintains a dedicated website at http://genmibio.uni-goettingen.de/ , which serves as a hub for research activities and resources like SubtiWiki.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Martin A. Kriegel serves as full Professor and Department Head of the Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster, while maintaining an active laboratory at Yale School of Medicine. He leads the Section for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (SRKI) at Medical Clinic D, where his team integrates clinical care with cutting-edge microbiome research. His department operates from Röntgenstraße 21 and Von-Esmarch-Str. 54 in Münster, Germany, with extensive collaborations including the "Cells in Motion" research initiative and the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. Dr. Kriegel's research program focuses on the critical interface between host immunity and microbiota, particularly investigating how gut commensals translocate to host tissues and trigger autoimmune responses. His laboratory pioneered the discovery that specific pathobionts like Enterococcus gallinarum and certain Lactobacillus strains can translocate from the gut to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and other sites, driving autoimmune responses through molecular mimicry of human autoantigens. His work has established fundamental mechanisms by which microbiota influence rheumatic diseases, cutaneous autoimmunity, and cancer immunology, with particular emphasis on Ro60 autoantigen mimicry, TLR7-dependent pathways, and diet-microbiome interactions. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including gnotobiotic mouse models, humanized systems, and detailed molecular characterization of host-pathobiont interactions. Analysis of Dr. Kriegel's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research connecting microbiome dynamics to autoimmune pathogenesis. His most recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates increasingly sophisticated understanding of how specific bacterial strains influence disease phenotypes across multiple autoimmune conditions, with notable advances in identifying shared microbiome signatures across lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. The publications show progressive refinement from initial observations of microbial translocation to detailed mechanistic insights into tryptophan catabolism pathways, structural basis of molecular mimicry, and diet-sensitive microbial triggers. Dr. Kriegel's scientific recognition includes US Patent No. 11,058,756 B2 for compositions treating autoimmune diseases by reducing enterococcus, reflecting the translational potential of his research. His laboratory receives substantial funding, most notably a $3 million award from the Lupus Research Alliance for the TransLuMi project investigating gut pathobiont translocation in systemic lupus erythematosus. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Kriegel directs a substantial research team including multiple postdocs (Drs. Marcia Pereira, Nathalie Becker), PhD candidates (Anna Brinkhege, Carina Brune, Helen Fuhrmann), and laboratory specialists. He participates in the CiM-IMPRS graduate program and supervises medical students through the MedK program. His laboratory currently manages multiple significant research projects including: (A) intestinal wall permeability and pathobiont translocation in autoimmunity; (B) diet-environment-microbiome interactions; (C) microbiota disruption of immunological tolerance; and (D) microbiome roles in lymphoma development. The Kriegel laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities at both Münster and Yale, with specialized capabilities in gnotobiotic research, microbiome analysis, and immune profiling. His team collaborates with international partners including Dr. Eran Elinav at Weizmann Institute, Dr. Nissan Yissachar at Bar-Ilan University, Prof. George Tsokos at Harvard, and Prof. Ilana Brito at Cornell University. The laboratory's website (https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/mikrobiom/startseite/) details ongoing projects and research opportunities.
Prof. Julijana Gjorgjieva is a tenured W3 Professor of Computational Neuroscience at the School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich (TUM). She leads an independent research group at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and is affiliated with the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the principles governing neural circuit development, balancing learning plasticity with functional stability through computational and theoretical approaches. Key interests include synaptic organization, energy-efficient neural computation, and evolutionary optimality principles. Education & Career: B.Sc. Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College (2006) M.A.St. in Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2007) Ph.D. Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2011) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Harvard University (2011-2014), Brandeis University (2014-2016) Max Planck Research Group Leader (2016-2022) W2/W3 Professor at TUM since 2016 Research Interests: Computational neuroscience, theoretical modeling of neural circuits, synaptic plasticity mechanisms, homeostatic regulation, and the interplay of development and evolution in shaping brain architecture. She employs mathematical frameworks to study how circuits achieve robustness while enabling adaptive learning. Awards: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2022) Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientist Prize (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2018) Multiple postdoctoral and early-career fellowships Grants & Funding: Includes DFG Collaborative Research Center on Neural Homeostasis, HFSP grants, and EU Horizon 2020 initiatives. Active in mentoring and promoting computational neuroscience through programs like Neuromatch Academy. Labs & Collaborations: Leads a multidisciplinary lab integrating experimental and theoretical approaches. Collaborates with institutions such as the Max Planck Society and international computational neuroscience networks.
David R. Liu is the Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and the Richard Merkin Professor at the Broad Institute. He serves as a principal investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and director of the Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare. His laboratory pioneers revolutionary genome editing technologies with profound implications for basic research and therapeutic development. Liu's research spans multiple disciplines at the intersection of chemistry and biology: Organic Chemistry Chemical Biology Biochemistry Genetic Engineering Genome Editing Technologies He pioneered base editing and prime editing techniques that enable precise DNA modifications without creating double-stranded breaks, overcoming key limitations of traditional CRISPR-Cas9 systems. His work on DNA-templated synthesis and phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) has transformed protein engineering and drug discovery approaches. Liu's contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: ACS Award in Pure Chemistry (2006) Election to National Academy of Medicine (2020) Election to National Academy of Sciences (2021) King Faisal Prize (2022) Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2025) As an entrepreneur, Liu has co-founded multiple biotechnology companies including Editas Medicine, Beam Therapeutics, and Prime Medicine to translate his discoveries into therapeutic applications. His laboratory continues to advance genome editing technologies while developing novel approaches to treat genetic diseases through precise DNA modifications.
PD Dr. Michael Veit is an Associate Professor (Privatdozent) at the Institute of Virology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin , where he heads the independent Research Group Veit – Cell Biology of Viral Infections . He is a faculty member of the Center for Infection Medicine and participates in the Berlin Equine Virus Lab (BEVL). Education & Training Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Virology/Biochemistry – exact institution not stated in text. Post-doctoral qualification (Privatdozent) awarded by Freie Universität Berlin. Research Focus Veit’s laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular biology of enveloped RNA viruses , with emphasis on virus–host membrane interactions and post-translational lipid modifications (S-acylation/palmitoylation). His group combines reverse genetics, live-cell imaging, mass spectrometry and structural approaches to dissect how viral glycoproteins are modified, trafficked and assembled into infectious particles. Model pathogens include influenza A, B, C and D viruses, coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-like CoVs, PHEV, PDCoV), arteriviruses (PRRSV, EAV), alphaviruses (Getah, CHIKV-like), and other emerging zoonotic agents. Publication Trends From 2020 to 2025 Veit has published >30 high-impact articles that cluster around four major themes: (i) coronavirus surveillance and zoonotic risk assessment , (ii) mechanistic dissection of protein acylation in influenza and arteriviruses , (iii) structure-function analysis of viral entry receptors (ACE2, LDLR), and (iv) development of reverse-genetic tools and reporter viruses for antiviral screening. Grants & Collaborative Networks Ongoing third-party funded projects coordinated by Veit are not explicitly listed in the text, but the continuous publication output and mention of “Current Collaborations” imply active grant support. He collaborates closely with other FU Berlin groups (Osterrieder, Kaufer, Azab) and international partners on coronavirus and influenza consortia. Laboratory & Teams The Research Group Veit comprises post-docs, PhD students and technicians working in BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities at the Institute of Virology. Core platforms include confocal & FLIM microscopy, quantitative proteomics, and reverse-genetics suites for segmented RNA viruses.
Prof. Dr. Arne Traulsen is a Scientific Member and Director of the Department of Theoretical Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany. He leads interdisciplinary research integrating biology, physics, mathematics, and computer science to study evolutionary dynamics, particularly in cancer evolution, metaorganisms, and population structure. His work often involves collaborations with clinicians, experimentalists, and bioinformaticians. Education: Diploma in Theoretical Physics (2002) Doctorate from Kiel University (summa cum laude, 2005) Research Interests: Arne’s research focuses on evolutionary game theory, finite populations, group selection, mathematical models for cancer , and population structure . His team explores how mutations accumulate, how cooperation evolves, and how eco-evolutionary dynamics shape biological systems. Recent work connects chaotic turnover in ecosystems and evolutionary responses to treatment with broader biological questions. Scientific Awards: Postgraduate Grant of Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes Postdoc Grant of Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina Emmy-Noether Grant of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Young-Scientist Award for Socio- and Econophysics (2012) Advising and Collaborations: While specific student names are not listed, Arne has hosted numerous research groups and mentored interdisciplinary teams. His work spans collaborations with institutions like Kiel University , the CRC 1182 Metaorganisms , and global researchers in evolutionary biology and computational modeling .
Ludger Klein is a Professor at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) and leads the Department of Immunology . He serves as Group Leader and Scientific Manager of the Flow Cytometry Facility at the Biomedical Center Munich. T cell Development Central Tolerance Regulatory T Cells T Cell Repertoire Analyses His research focuses on understanding how the thymic microenvironment orchestrates T cell fate decisions, particularly through mechanisms like deletion of self-reactive T cells and induction of regulatory T cells. Recent publications highlight studies on T cell receptor dynamics, MHCII regulation in cortical epithelial cells, and the role of thymic B cells in antigen presentation for tolerance induction. Key collaborators and advisees include doctoral researchers like Joao Teixeira de Freitas , Madlen Steinert , and Chunyan Wu , as well as former PhD students such as Tobias Haßler and Julia von Rohrscheidt . Ludger Klein's lab is based at the Biomedical Center Munich, with expertise in flow cytometry and immune tolerance mechanisms. The group has published extensively on T cell biology and autoimmune disease prevention.
