Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany
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. Ralph Hückelhoven is a Professor of Phytopathology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Life Sciences. His research focuses on the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying plant diseases, particularly plant immunity, pathogen exploitation of signal transduction, and host-pathogen interactions. He leads the Chair of Phytopathology at TUM since 2006, following academic roles at universities of Kiel and Hohenheim. Education: PhD (1999) and habilitation in molecular phytopathology (2005) from Justus Liebig University Giessen, after a biology degree at RWTH Aachen University. Awards: Julius Kühn Prize (2004) and leadership of a DFG Junior Research Group (2002-2006). His research spans plant immunity at cellular and molecular levels, including studies on receptor kinases (e.g., MIK2, LORE), RAC GTPases (e.g., RACB), and metabolomics-driven insights into pathogen resistance. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, examining topics like fungal toxins, volatile signaling, and crop disease management. Key publications include work on Arabidopsis immune receptors, barley powdery mildew susceptibility factors, and Fusarium head blight resistance. Research integrates genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics to advance disease-resistant crop development. His lab investigates host-pathogen interactions across scales—from molecular signaling to field epidemiology—contributing to sustainable agricultural strategies against plant pathogens.
Jennifer Curtis is a Full Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as an ADVANCE Professor for the College of Sciences. Her research focuses on the physics of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, particularly within glycobiology and immunobiology contexts. Dr. Curtis earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago (2002) and her B.A. in Physics from Columbia University (1997). Her research interests span biophysics at interfaces, quantitative modeling of collective cellular interactions, cell mechanics, motility, adhesion, and the role of bulky sugars in tissue organization. Her laboratory investigates collective and single cell migration, immunophage therapy (combining immune cells with phages to combat bacterial infections), and molecular biophysics of hyaluronan synthase. Recent work demonstrates applications in soft materials, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on glyco-biophysics and cellular mechanics, with increasing emphasis on microbial communities and therapeutic applications. Her work bridges physics, biology, and engineering through interdisciplinary approaches. Honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Georgia Tech College of Sciences Faculty Mentor Award (2015), and Cullen Peck Award (2020). She serves on the Biophysical Journal editorial board. Dr. Curtis actively mentors students through the Georgia Tech Physics REU program (which she directs) and collaborates with biologists, chemists, and materials scientists. Her laboratory maintains strong partnerships with institutions including Emory University and international collaborators. The Curtis Lab operates the Cell Physics Laboratory in the Molecular Science & Engineering Building, utilizing advanced techniques including holographic optical tweezers, thermochemical nanolithography, and single-molecule imaging to study cellular mechanics and polymer physics at biological interfaces.
Steven A. Corcelli is a Professor and Interim Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, with a research focus on Theoretical Chemistry and Molecular Dynamics Simulations . His work bridges Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry , targeting Energy Applications and Biomolecular Binding Mechanisms . He leads the Computational Molecular Science & Engineering Laboratory (CoMSEL). Ph.D., Chemistry, Yale University (2001) Sc.B., Chemistry, Brown University (1997) Research interests span ionic liquids for Carbon Capture , aqueous electrolytes in battery technologies , and molecular binding processes in immunology and DNA interactions . His group employs GPU-accelerated simulations and weighted ensemble methods to uncover structural and dynamic motifs. Recent publications highlight trends in vibrational spectroscopy , TCR-MHC binding , and CO2 solvation mechanisms . Awards include the Thomas P. Madden Award (2020) , ACS Fellowship (2016) , and NSF CAREER Award (2009) . Staff: Erin Brossard (Ph.D.), Nell Karpinski, Shuang Wu, Noah Vasconez, Kaitlyn Handy, Isabel Thompson
Prof. dr. Tessa Quax is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, leading research in Molecular Microbiology . Her work focuses on archaeal virology and virus-host interactions, supported by prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant (2022) and NWO Vidi Grant (2023). Key Research Areas: Archaeal virus entry/egress mechanisms Cell surface dynamics and motility Extreme environment microbiology Genetic tool development for archaea Recent publications in Nature Reviews Microbiology (2025) and Current Opinion in Microbiology (2024) highlight her work on viral host recognition and structural diversity. Her lab's 44 research outputs span archaeal cell biology, viral evolution, and ecological impacts of virus-induced lysis. Scientific Recognition: KNAW Beijerinck Premium (2022) KNAW Early Career Award (2021) Hector Research Career Development Award (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2022) As Chair of the International Society for Viruses of Microbes SAB and Speaker of the German Microbiology Society's Microbial Viruses group, she coordinates global research networks including a HFSP grant (2023) with Japan/Australia/USA collaborators. Her lab currently includes PhD candidate Zaloa Aguirre Sourrouille and multiple postdoctoral researchers.
Yu He is an Assistant Professor of Applied Physics and Physics at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Physics. His research focuses on condensed matter physics and experimental techniques such as angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and x-ray scattering to study correlated electronic systems and quantum materials. Prior to Yale, he completed a Miller Research Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2019) after earning his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Key research areas include metal-to-insulator transitions, superconductivity, 2D magnetism, and solid-state quantum simulation. He has contributed to advancements in material characterization techniques, including high-resolution ARPES using tabletop lasers. His work integrates crystal synthesis, electric transport measurements, and surface decoration to explore material properties. Education: B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC); M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Research Interests: Experimental condensed matter physics, quantum materials, superconductivity, and light-matter interaction studies. His current projects aim to dissect microscopic degrees of freedom (electronic, lattice, spin) in novel materials using cutting-edge spectroscopic methods. The lab employs complementary techniques like electric transport measurements and crystal growth to characterize material properties comprehensively. Awards: Miller Research Fellow, UC Berkeley (2019) Advising & Grants: No student advisees listed. Research supported by Yale University and prior fellowships. Labs & Teams: Leads a research group at Yale focused on experimental condensed matter physics, collaborating on projects involving advanced material characterization and quantum material discovery.
Prof. Oliver Seitz leads the Bioorganic Synthesis research group at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin. His lab focuses on cutting-edge chemical biology approaches for protein/nucleic acid interrogation, with recent work advancing DNA/RNA-programmed assemblies for cellular imaging and therapeutic applications. Research spans chemical protein synthesis, glycoprotein/phosphoprotein engineering, and nucleic acid-templated reactions. Key innovations include Forced Intercalation (FIT) probes for wash-free RNA imaging, loss-of-affinity principles for catalytic efficiency, and peptide-PNA conjugates for targeted cellular delivery. The group actively develops tools for live-cell protein labeling and biomolecular spatial screening. Recent publications (2021-2024) emphasize fluorescence-based detection systems, catalytic templated reactions, and therapeutic peptide synthesis. Trends show increasing sophistication in multi-dye probes, glycan engineering, and RNA-triggered pro-drug activation. Scientific awards include: Max Bergmann Award (2019) Prof. Seitz actively advises doctoral students, with recent graduates Marvin Björn Stutz (2023, magna cum laude ), Dino Gluhacevic von Krüchten (2023, summa cum laude ), and Sophie Schöllkopf (2023, magna cum laude ). Current PhD candidates include Ekaterina Kazakova (glycoprotein synthesis), Alina Herfort (phosphoproteins), and Lina-Marie Beck (peptide-nucleic acid conjugates), with postdocs like Dr. Mandana Oloub (viscosity sensors). The Bioorganic Synthesis lab operates within Berlin's vibrant chemical research ecosystem, utilizing specialized techniques for chemical protein synthesis and nucleic acid detection. Recent team growth reflects ongoing projects in RNA imaging, catalytic templated reactions, and therapeutic conjugate development, supported by open positions for new researchers.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Maartje Bastings is an Associate Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , leading the Programmable Biomaterials Laboratory (PBL) within the School of Engineering (STI) . She holds additional affiliations with the Institute of Materials (IMX) , IBI-STI (Bioengineering), and supervises doctoral programs in Biotechnology and Biological Engineering ( EDBB-GE ) and Materials Science and Engineering ( EDMX-GE ). Her research focuses on DNA-based supramolecular materials engineered to achieve dynamic reciprocity —a two-way interaction between synthetic materials and biological systems. By leveraging DNA as a programmable scaffold, she investigates structural mechanics, valency control, and geometric constraints governing self-assembly and cell communication at bio-interfaces. Key applications include immune system modulation, diagnostics , and vaccine development . Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a focus on multivalent interactions for T-cell activation, spatial patterning in immune signaling, and engineered coatings for DNA origami stability. Subfields span T cell receptor engineering , nanoscale protein dynamics , stimuli-responsive biomaterials , and bio-inspired therapeutic design . PhD Students: Chen Yuduo Hendrickx Pauline Bart M. Kononenko Artem Li Shujie Lou Yameng Meyer Pitt Narita Minako Rousseau Benjamin Bila Hale Caroprese Vincenzo Comberlato Alice Kurisinkal Eva Eugene Paloja Kaltrina Rodríguez Franco Hugo José Tekin Cem Wong Siu Ho Contact: maartje.bastings@epfl.ch
Scott Garman is Professor of Biochemistry at UMass Amherst, focusing on structural biology of glycoproteins in human diseases. PhD from Harvard University. Research areas: Lysosomal enzyme mechanisms in storage diseases (Fabry, Schindler); Malaria surface protein structures; Antibody-receptor interactions. Utilizes X-ray crystallography to study enzyme mutations causing disease. Key findings: Determined structures of α-galactosidase (Fabry disease) and α-NAGAL (Schindler disease), revealing molecular bases for enzyme dysfunction. Developed models for enzyme trafficking and substrate processing. Laboratory: Investigates protein folding diseases and develops therapeutic strategies. Collaborates on malaria vaccine development and antibody engineering.
Professor Roland J. Pieters is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, where he serves as a full Professor in the Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. With over two decades of experience at the institution, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (1998) to Associate Professor (2005) and ultimately to Full Professor (2010-present). His research group is internationally recognized for groundbreaking work at the intersection of carbohydrate chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery, with particular emphasis on developing novel therapeutic approaches against bacterial infections and pathogenic mechanisms. Full Professor, Utrecht University (2010-present) Associate Professor, Utrecht University (2005-2010) Assistant Professor, Utrecht University (1998-2005) NWO Talent Post-doctoral Fellow, ETH-Zürich (1995-1996) Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Groningen (1996-1998) Professor Pieters earned his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Groningen in 1990, where he worked with Professor Ben Feringa, and completed his Ph.D. at MIT in 1995 under the supervision of Professor Julius Rebek Jr. His doctoral research focused on molecular recognition and template effects in bisubstrate systems, establishing the foundation for his lifelong interest in molecular interactions. Professor Pieters' research primarily centers on glycodrugs and the strategic interference with protein-carbohydrate interactions using multivalent systems of varying architectures. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how rigid spacers in multivalent ligands can dramatically enhance binding affinity to target proteins, with applications against viral and bacterial adhesion proteins, toxins, galectins, and glycosidases. A particular focus has been on developing inhibitors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA, cholera toxin, influenza virus hemagglutinin, and more recently, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions with host cell receptors. His group also pioneered the use of glyco- and peptide-microarrays for high-throughput screening of carbohydrate-protein interactions and drug discovery, particularly in the area of O-GlcNAcylation research. The publication record of Professor Pieters demonstrates consistent innovation in the field of multivalent carbohydrate-based therapeutics. His recent work (2020-2024) shows a strategic expansion into viral pathogenesis (particularly influenza and SARS-CoV-2), immune modulation through glycan recognition, and novel approaches to vaccine development. A notable trend is the increasing sophistication of multivalent architectures, moving from simple divalent systems to tetra- and hexavalent ligands with precisely engineered spatial arrangements. His research bridges fundamental chemical principles with practical therapeutic applications, maintaining strong connections to pharmaceutical development while advancing basic science understanding of carbohydrate-mediated biological processes. Professor Pieters' scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including a Fellowship from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in 1999 and a VICI personal grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) in 2008. These competitive awards reflect the significance and innovation of his research program. He has also served on editorial advisory boards, notably as Section Editor-in-Chief for Chemical Biology in the journal Molecules (2018-2022), contributing to the scholarly community through peer review and academic leadership. Fellowship of Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW), 1999 VICI, personal grant, NWO, 2008 Section Editor-in-Chief Chemical Biology for Molecules (2018-2022) Throughout his career, Professor Pieters has coordinated significant research projects including the EU project POLYCARB and secured competitive funding that has sustained his innovative research program. His laboratory has fostered numerous collaborations across Europe and internationally, creating a vibrant research environment that has trained many scientists now working in academia and industry. His research on multivalent carbohydrate systems represents a sustained intellectual contribution to chemical biology with direct relevance to developing new anti-infective strategies and therapeutic approaches. Professor Pieters leads an active research group within Utrecht University's Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, situated in the David de Wied Building. His laboratory maintains strong connections with other research groups both within Utrecht University and internationally, particularly in the fields of glycobiology, infectious diseases, and drug discovery. The research environment he has cultivated emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining synthetic chemistry, biophysical analysis, and biological testing to address fundamental questions in carbohydrate-mediated biological processes with therapeutic applications.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUnited States
Sean J. Morrison is the founding Director of the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. He holds the Mary McDermott Cook Chair in Pediatric Genetics and the Kathryne and Gene Bishop Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Research. Dr. Morrison earned his B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry from Dalhousie University (1991), a Ph.D. in Immunology from Stanford University (1996), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurobiology at Caltech (1999). Education: B.Sc. - Dalhousie University (Biology & Chemistry, 1991) Ph.D. - Stanford University (Immunology, 1996) Postdoctoral Fellowship - Caltech (Neurobiology, 1999) Research Interests: Dr. Morrison’s laboratory investigates the mechanisms that maintain adult tissues and how cancer cells exploit these processes to form tumors. His team compares stem cell and cancer cell replication mechanisms to develop novel regenerative medicine and anticancer therapies. Key areas include: Stem cell self-renewal and aging Metabolic regulation of hematopoietic stem cells Leptin Receptor+ stromal cell function Cancer progression and metastasis Proteostasis and niche biology Mechanotransduction in stem cell niches Publications reveal trends in stem cell metabolism, tumor heterogeneity, and niche dynamics across Science , Nature , and Cell . His work on retrotransposons in stem cell activation (2024) and β-adrenergic receptor inhibition in hematopoietic regeneration (2024) highlights emerging therapeutic targets. Awards & Recognitions: Dr. Morrison is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (2018), National Academy of Sciences (2020), and EMBO (2023). He received the Presidential Early Career Award (2003), MERIT Award from NIA (2009), and UT Southwestern’s Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award (2020). Mentorship & Leadership: Dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from his lab have secured academic leadership roles or industry positions. He served as President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (2015–2016) and actively engages in public policy debates about stem cell research, including Michigan’s constitutional protections for regenerative medicine.
Anne Berit C. Samuelsen serves as Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, where she also holds the position of Head of Education. Her academic foundation includes a Cand.pharm. degree and Dr.scient. doctorate, establishing her expertise in pharmaceutical sciences. Her research centers on polysaccharides from natural sources—particularly higher plants, cereals, and fungi (Basidiomycota)—with specialized focus on β-glucans. Key interests include carbohydrate chemistry, pharmacognosy, and the development of biopolymer-based pharmaceutical applications. Her work bridges fundamental structural characterization with practical drug delivery solutions, notably through liposome coating technologies and immunomodulatory compound development. Recent publications reveal a strong trajectory in fungal polysaccharide research, particularly with Pleurotus eryngii and Albatrellus ovinus species. Her team employs advanced techniques like diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy to analyze polysaccharide structures while investigating biological activities related to immune receptor binding (Dectin-1, Toll-like receptors) and therapeutic applications. This work demonstrates consistent output in high-impact journals including Carbohydrate Polymers and ACS Applied Bio Materials . She actively contributes to academic instruction through courses such as FARM1150 (Pharmaceutically Oriented Biochemistry), FARM3100 (Pharmacognosy), and FARM5200 (Use of Biopolymers in Pharmaceuticals). Her leadership extends to the Bioactive Natural Substances and Health Effects (BioNatH) research group and the Glyconor Consortium, where she investigates natural product applications for health improvement.
Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUnited States
Vanessa Nomellini, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She joined UT Southwestern in 2023 as the director of research for her division and leader in the Critical Care Outcomes Research Translation (CORT) group. Education: Dr. Nomellini earned her MD and PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry from Loyola University. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin and Surgical Critical Care fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Research Interests: Her work focuses on immune dysfunction in critically ill patients, particularly sepsis and trauma-induced immunosuppression. She leads studies on immune recovery mechanisms and develops the ICU Recovery Program for long-term patient management. Her NIH-funded research (R35 NIGMS) investigates immune suppression through both animal models and human observational studies. Publications Trends: Her recent work emphasizes sepsis pathophysiology, coagulopathy management, and clinical improvements in critical care. Key areas include immunomodulatory therapies, biomarker utility, and optimizing ICU protocols. Scientific Awards: Recipient of NIGMS R35 grant (2019-current) Advising & Grants: Leads a multi-institutional research team and holds leadership roles in CORT. Her grants focus on translational immunology and critical care outcomes. Labs & Teams: Directs research at UT Southwestern's Critical Care Division, collaborating with Drs. Levi and Carlson in CORT initiatives.
Brenda Schulman is a Professor and Director of the Molecular Machines and Signaling Pathways department at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. She also holds an honorary professorship at the Technical University of Munich's Department of Chemistry and serves as Adjunct Faculty at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, USA. Her research focuses on understanding how ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins regulate cellular processes through protein modification. Dr. Schulman's research interests center on structural biology of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ubiquitin-like proteins. Her work has shown that hundreds of dynamic multiprotein complexes are transiently converted into different conformations by specialized regulatory factors that control ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins, thereby monitoring virtually all processes in cell biology. She combines biochemical reconstitution, structural analysis, enzymology, protein design, cell biology, and genetics to understand how these molecular machines function. Her research has significant implications for understanding diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and viral infections where defects in ubiquitin pathways are implicated. Her extensive publication record demonstrates expertise in ubiquitin signaling, protein degradation mechanisms, structural biology of E3 ligases, and molecular machines. Her work spans from fundamental mechanisms of ubiquitin chain formation to therapeutic applications in targeted protein degradation. Among her numerous scientific accolades are the Feldberg Prize for Anglo-German Scientific Exchange (2025), ERC Advanced Grant (2023), Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine (2023), Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2019), and election to the National Academy of Sciences (2014). She has also received the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from The Protein Society and has been an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Schulman leads an active research group that has produced numerous high-impact publications in top journals including Nature, Cell, and Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Her team has made significant contributions to understanding the structural mechanisms of ubiquitin transfer, E3 ligase specificity, and the role of ubiquitin in cellular quality control pathways. Current research in her lab focuses on deciphering the ubiquitin code and developing novel approaches for targeted protein degradation.
