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Simone SpulerView profile

Professor

• Muscle Stem Cell Biology
• CRISPR/Cas9 and Base Editing
• Muscular Dystrophies
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Simone Spuler is a leading researcher in muscle stem cell biology and gene therapy at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) in Berlin, jointly affiliated with Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine. She serves as Director of the University Outpatient Clinic for Muscle Diseases, focusing on translational approaches for genetic and age-related muscle disorders. Develops CRISPR/Cas9 and base editing therapies for muscular dystrophies (LGMD2A, Dysferlinopathy) Translates stem cell research into clinical trials like MuST and BASKet Validates GMP-compliant manufacturing of primary human satellite cells (PHSats) for ATMP applications Her research interests center on muscle stem cell heterogeneity, regenerative medicine, and epigenetic mechanisms in critical illness myopathy. Recent work explores: CRISPR editing of patient-derived stem cells Humanized mouse models for dystrophy validation Epigenetic reprogramming in ICU-acquired weakness Decellularization protocols for diaphragm repair She leads a multidisciplinary team working on: Genome editing of CAPN3, LMNA, and Dysferlin mutations Stem cell expansion using bacterial nanocellulose Development of regenerative therapies for urinary incontinence Scientific awards include: Science4Life Venture Cup 2019 (Pharma Category) NLSInvest Award 2022 Einstein Visiting Fellowship (2019-2022) Her clinical and entrepreneurial efforts involve founding the startup MyoPax , which develops stem cell therapies for incurable muscle diseases, supported by grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS). The MuST clinical trial for epispadias patients is funded with €4.3M. Her team collaborates with patient organizations like Coalition to Cure Calpain 3 and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke .

Slava ZieglerView profile

Researcher

• Chemical Biology
• Bioactive Small Molecules
• Target Identification
• +3 more

Dr. Slava Ziegler is a Project Group Leader at the Department of Chemical Biology , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany. His research focuses on identifying bioactive small molecules and elucidating their molecular targets and mechanisms of action through chemical proteomics, biochemical, biophysical and genetic approaches. Academic Appointments : Project Group Leader, Chemical Biology (2016-present) Education : Diploma in Biochemistry (Ruhr University Bochum), PhD in Biochemistry (MPI & Ruhr University), Postdoc at University Hospital Düsseldorf Research Interests center on: Phenotypic screening using Cell Painting assays Target identification for bioactive compounds Proteome and lipidome profiling Developmental signaling pathway inhibition Glucose transporter and glutaminase targeting Chemical genetics in cancer metabolism Notable Contributions include developing high-throughput screening workflows, discovering novel Hedgehog and TRPC inhibitors, and creating chemical probes for: Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase RHOGDI PI4KIIIß IDO1 TAF1 Bromodomain 5-Lipoxygenase Collaborations with researchers across Europe and Japan have yielded significant insights into: Autophagy regulation Lysosomal membrane repair Microtubule destabilization Proteasome inhibition Neutrophil extracellular traps Embryonic stem cell reprogramming Contact : slava.ziegler@mpi-dortmund.mpg.de | +49 231 133-2424

Dieter SaurView profile

Professor

• Translational Cancer Research
• Genetic Alterations in Cancer
• Personalized Medicine
• +3 more

Prof. Dieter Saur is a Professor of Translational Tumor Research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Head of the Department at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). His research focuses on developing personalized cancer therapies through mechanistic studies of tumor-relevant genetic alterations, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. Education: Studied medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, earned a doctorate in neurogastroenterology, completed specialist training in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal oncology, and habilitation in internal medicine. He became a senior physician at University Hospital rechts der Isar before his current roles at TUM and DKFZ. Research Interests: Translational cancer research, genetic drivers of tumor progression, early detection methods, and targeted therapies for pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. He uses genetically engineered mouse models and organoid systems to study tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. Awards: Recipient of prestigious grants like the ERC Consolidator Grant (2015) and awards such as the Martin Wienbeck Award (2014) and Rising Star Award (2006). His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Labs/Teams: Leads the Translational Tumor Research group at TUM and collaborates with the DKFZ to advance preclinical and clinical cancer research. Key projects include exploring KRAS signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and immune checkpoint therapies.

• Lipid Mediator Research
• Inflammation Resolution
• Molecular Pharmacology
• +7 more

Jesmond Dalli is Professor in Molecular Pharmacology at the William Harvey Research Institute , part of Queen Mary University of London , where he has served as Lipid Mediator Unit Director since 2015. His research focuses on lipid mediator biology , particularly specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in inflammation, with applications spanning cardiovascular disease , arthritis , neuroinflammation , and HIV . Education : PhD in Biochemical Pharmacology (2005-2009), Queen Mary University of London His work systematically explores pro-resolving pharmacology across acute and chronic inflammation models, including diabetes , obesity , and traumatic brain injury . Articles demonstrate expertise in LC-MS/MS lipid mediator profiling , immune cell metabolism , and translational immunology . Scientific Awards : Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Royal Society & Wellcome Trust) As Lipid Mediator Unit Director , he leads multidisciplinary studies integrating mass spectrometry platforms , cellular models , and animal models to dissect lipid mediator pathways in disease contexts.

Ludovic VallierView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Liver Organogenesis
• Regenerative Medicine
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Ludovic Vallier is a Max Planck Fellow and Research Group Leader at the Vallier Lab , affiliated with the Berlin Institute of Health at the Charité (BIH) and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) . His lab, established as a satellite group at MPIMG in 2022, focuses on stem cell biology , liver regeneration , and organoid technology for clinical translation. University : Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Department : Vallier Lab Academic Rank : Professor Research Interests : The Vallier Lab investigates human liver development , leveraging human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and primary organoids to model liver diseases and develop cell-based therapies. Their work bridges regenerative medicine , developmental biology , and tissue engineering to address clinical challenges in liver dysfunction. Publication Trends : His recent articles (2023–2025) emphasize organoid applications in liver and pancreatic research, stem cell differentiation , and metabolic or immunological mechanisms in disease contexts. Keywords span Stem Cell Biology , Developmental Biology , and Regenerative Medicine , with sub-fields like hepatic lineage specification , single-cell transcriptomics , and inflammatory reprogramming . Scientific Awards : Max Planck Fellow Lab and Collaborations : The Vallier Lab collaborates closely with MPIMG researchers, utilizing 3D organoid cultures and hiPSC-derived cells to study liver regeneration and disease. Their work aligns with BIH’s mission to translate basic research into clinical therapies for liver disorders.

Michael J. ZillerView profile

Professor

• Functional Genomics
• Psychiatric Genetics
• Neurobiology of Mental Illness
• +3 more

Michael J. Ziller is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. He leads the Lab for Functional Genomics in Psychiatry and participates in the "Cells in Motion" research commission. Research Focus: Functional genomics, molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), and computational strategies for personalized medicine. Projects: Decoding polygenic risk architectures, modeling neuronal hyperexcitability, and developing machine learning methods for patient stratification. Funding: BMBF (Project DINGS), EKFS Schlüsselproject. The lab utilizes iPSC models, ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, HiC, single-cell RNA-Seq, and Perturb-Seq to bridge genetic associations with neurobiological insights, aiming to identify drug targets and optimize treatment for psychiatric diseases.

Haike AntelmannView profile

Professor

• Oxidative Stress Physiology
• Redox Biology
• Bacterial Pathogens
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Haike Antelmann holds the W3-Professorship for Molecular Microbiology at the Institute of Biology-Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin since 2015. She previously served as group leader at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University of Greifswald (2006-2015) and completed her Habilitation there in 2009. Her research focuses on microbial redox biology, thiol-based stress responses in Gram-positive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae , and proteomic analysis of bacterial adaptation mechanisms. Key contributions include elucidating bacillithiol/mycothiol roles in protein protection and redox signaling. Education: PhD (1998) and Habilitation (2009) from Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, specializing in bacterial proteomics and stress physiology. Notable awards include the ERC Consolidator Grant (2013) and AcademiaNet membership (2015). She serves on editorial boards of BMC Microbiology , Molecular Microbiology , and Scientific Reports . Research interests emphasize thiol-redox regulation in pathogenesis, including protein S-thiolation under oxidative/electrophilic stress and bacterial responses to host immune defenses. Her lab investigates bacillithiol's role in virulence and antibiotic tolerance, with recent work on allicin mechanisms and neutrophil phagosome interactions. Lab members: Postdocs (Eberhard Klauck, Vu Van Loi), PhD students (Huihui Li), and technical staff (Zeynep Gümüsboga) Key techniques: Proteomics, redox biosensors, transcriptomics, bacterial physiology studies Collaborations: GBM Study Group on Redox Biology, SPP1710 projects Recent articles highlight Staphylococcus aureus adaptation to host-derived stressors (hypothiocyanous acid, itaconic acid) and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Her work bridges basic microbiology with translational applications in infectious disease intervention.

Emiel van der VorstView profile

Researcher

• Cardiovascular Research
• Atherosclerosis
• Immunology
• +6 more

Dr. Emiel van der Vorst is a cardiovascular researcher focusing on atherosclerosis, immunometabolism, and translational medicine . His work spans molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targeting, and omics-based approaches. Affiliation: Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) Research Focus: Chemokine signaling, microRNA therapeutics, immune-metabolic interactions Research Trends: Recent publications highlight his exploration of microRNA-26b in metabolic liver disease GPR55 receptor in cardiomyocyte adaptation calcium-sensing receptor in sex-specific atherosclerosis aryl hydrocarbon receptor in gut-liver-cardiovascular axis His work integrates nanomedicine, genetic models, and clinical biomarker development .

• Environmental Toxicology
• Cellular Resilience
• Genetic Buffering
• +5 more

Andrea Rossi is a Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medical Research (IUF) in Düsseldorf, Germany, where they lead the Environmental Adaptation and Cellular Resilience research group. Their work bridges environmental science and molecular biology, focusing on how pollutants influence cellular resilience and disease expression. The research group collaborates extensively with national and international institutions including Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology, and ETH Zürich. Dr. Rossi's research interests center on understanding phenotypic plasticity in monogenic inherited diseases, particularly how environmental pollutants affect cellular resilience and trigger compensatory genetic mechanisms. Their work explores how cellular systems adapt under environmental stress with genetic mutations, develops advanced iPSC models for studying disease mechanisms, and employs whole-genome CRISPR screening to identify novel genetic modifiers. A significant aspect of their research investigates how cellular resilience mechanisms impaired during aging may contribute to age-related diseases. The research group's publications over the past five years demonstrate a strong focus on stem cell technology, genome editing, and environmental toxicology. Their work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, with particular emphasis on developing precise genome editing techniques like Prime Editing and improving quality control standards for induced pluripotent stem cells. The research has important implications for understanding environmental influences on genetic diseases and developing new therapeutic approaches. Dr. Rossi's team includes postdocs Stephanie Binder and Jochen Dobner, scientific staff member Marianthi Papadopoulou, several master's students, and technical assistance from Vanessa Baltruschat. Their research is supported by multiple funding sources including the Leibniz Association, German Research Foundation (DFG), AFM Téléthon, and the European Union. The Environmental Adaptation and Cellular Resilience group operates several cutting-edge projects including modeling environmental pollution effects on taste perception using organoids, investigating genetic buffering mechanisms, improving Prime Editing efficiency, analyzing genome editing risks, studying epilepsy in mitochondrial diseases, and enhancing hiPSC quality control standards. These projects employ advanced techniques including iPSC modeling, CRISPR screening, and multi-omics approaches.

Thomas LangerView profile

Professor

• Mitochondrial Biology
• Cellular Aging
• Age-related Diseases
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Thomas Langer leads the Department of Mitochondrial Proteostasis at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing. His research focuses on mitochondrial proteases, their role in cellular aging, and age-related diseases. He investigates how mitochondrial dynamics, lipid trafficking, and proteostasis impact neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders. Key Grants: DFG CRC 1218 & 1403, German-Israel MitoBalance, Marie Sklodovska-Curie ITN Remix Notable Awards: Humboldt Foundation & EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships His work spans mitochondrial membrane dynamics, lipid homeostasis, calcium signaling, and stress responses. Recent studies highlight connections between OMA1 protease activation, ferroptosis, and cardiomyopathy, as well as prohibitin-mediated membrane organization in neurodegenerative diseases. Collaborative projects with institutions in Germany and Japan further expand his research impact. Publications show consistent contributions to journals like Nature , Cell Metabolism , and Nature Cell Biology , with recurring themes in mitochondrial fragmentation, metabolic reprogramming, and neuroprotection. His lab trains a large cohort of PhD students and postdocs, fostering next-generation scientists in mitochondrial biology.

Lucas SchirmerView profile

Professor

• Neuroinflammation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuroimmunology
• +3 more

Lucas Schirmer is the Heisenberg Professor of Translational Neurobiology and Division Chief of Neuroimmunology at the Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University. His research focuses on neuroinflammatory diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS) and myositis, with expertise in single-cell genomics, multi-omics approaches, and translational neuroscience. The Schirmer Lab integrates experimental models and human tissue analysis to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms in neuroinflammation. Key research themes include glial cell diversity, neuro-glial interactions, and developing precision therapies. He leads major grants such as the DFG-funded NeuroFlame project (2024–2028) and the EU ERC Starting Grant DecOmPress (2021–2025). His work spans projects on iron homeostasis in neuroinflammation, liquor signatures in long-COVID, and gut microbiota-CNS interactions in MS. Collaborations include institutions like the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3) and teams across immunology and neurology. Research highlights include identifying neuron vulnerability in MS, mapping cell-type specific responses in lesions, and discovering astrocyte reactivity induced by microglia. The lab advocates translational approaches to support repair pathways and maintain cellular resilience in inflamed tissues.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Neural Differentiation
• Neuroregeneration
• +3 more

Oliver Brüstle is Professor at the University of Bonn's Institut für Rekonstruktive Neurobiologie and Steering Committee member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) 'Life and Health'. Research focuses on human pluripotent stem cells for neuroregeneration and CNS disease modeling, employing iPSC reprogramming, neural differentiation, transcription factor-based forward programming, and somatic cell conversion. Key projects develop neuronal/glial subtypes for transplant strategies and study neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric diseases using 2D/3D models. Selected publications (2017-2023) emphasize iPSC-derived neuron pathology mechanisms, microglia production techniques, and neural transplant mapping. Articles consistently integrate stem cell biology with translational neurology. Research methodology combines cellular reprogramming, electrophysiological analysis, and advanced imaging. Work contributes to both basic understanding of neural development and therapeutic applications for neurological disorders.

• Cancer Nanomedicine
• Molecular Imaging
• Nano-Immunotherapy
• +3 more

Dr. Alexandros Marios Sofias is head of the "Immune Cell Targeting and Imaging" Research Group at the Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI) of RWTH Aachen University, Germany, and Co-Chair of the Image-Guided Drug Delivery (IGDD) Study Group of the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI). Education: PhD in Nanomedicine (2019) MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2016) Diploma in Pharmacy (2014) Research Focus: His laboratory integrates in vivo multimodal imaging with advanced nanomedicine design to decode the fate of therapeutic nanoparticles and to develop nano-immunotherapeutics that reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment. Core themes include: Real-time tracking of nanoparticle biodistribution via intravital microscopy and PET/MRI. Leveraging immune cells (neutrophils, macrophages) as active carriers (“hitchhiking”) to enhance tumor targeting. Engineering 3-D vascularized tumor models for preclinical validation. Translational development of core-crosslinked polymeric micelles and lipid nanoparticles for image-guided drug delivery. Publication Trends: Across >25 high-impact papers since 2020, Sofias has consistently advanced the intersection of nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and cancer immunotherapy. His work has progressively shifted from passive EPR-based targeting to active immune-cell-mediated delivery, emphasizing real-time imaging feedback to optimize therapy. Grants & Collaborations: Although specific grant numbers are not listed, the extensive co-authorship network with Kiessling, Lammers, Storm, Mulder and others indicates substantial national (DFG, BMBF) and European (ERC, Horizon Europe) funding streams. The team participates in large consortia such as the ESMI IGDD study group. Labs & Teams: He leads the “Immune Cell Targeting and Imaging” group housed within the state-of-the-art ExMI building at RWTH Aachen, equipped with preclinical PET/MRI, high-resolution intravital microscopy, nanoformulation suites, and 3-D bioprinting facilities.

Maria ErmolaevaView profile

Researcher

• Aging
• Mitochondrial Biology
• Metabolism
• +9 more

Maria Ermolaeva is a Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute on Aging (FLI) and co-conceived the Center for Aging Research Jena (ZAJ) with Prof. Holger Bierhoff. Her lab employs Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes and mammalian cell/organoid cultures to investigate aging mechanisms, focusing on metabolic alterations, stress responses, and host-microbiome interactions. Key Collaborations: Friedrich Schiller University, Thuringian Ministry of Economics, European Social Fund Research Themes: Mitochondrial homeostasis, Proteostasis, Epigenetic changes, CRISPR screens for ER stress Research Focus: The lab explores how age-related metabolic shifts, proteotoxic stress, and microbiota influence neuronal aging and protein aggregation disorders. Projects include: Characterizing UV-B as a dietary restriction mimetic Linking nucleolar integrity to aging diagnostics Identifying probiotics for longevity Studying circadian clock disruption in proteostasis CRISPR-based longevity gene discovery Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes mitochondrial bioenergetics, lipid metabolism, and hormetic stress responses. Collaborations span proteomics core facilities and European research networks. Students: Supervises doctoral candidates and postdocs including Prerana Shrikant Chaudhari, Xuemin Gong, and Eberechukwu Maryann Okoli. Core Facilities: Utilizes FLI's proteomics, lipidomics, and CRISPR screening platforms. Partners with Thuringian industry for translational applications.

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin Modifications
• Histone Methylation
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Robert Schneider is the Director of the Institute of Functional Epigenetics at Helmholtz Munich and Professor at the Faculty of Biology of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich since 2016. His research focuses on epigenetics, chromatin dynamics, and the interplay between cellular metabolism and histone modifications to decode gene expression regulation and disease mechanisms. Education: Ph.D. from Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich; Postdoctoral research at the Gurdon Institute (University of Cambridge, UK). Robert’s work spans the study of histone methylation, epigenetic reprogramming, and environmentally triggered diseases. His lab also explores epitranscriptomics and epigenetic memory in single cells to identify novel therapeutic targets. His scientific contributions include leadership roles in international research schools like Epigenetics@HelmholtzMunich and the International Helmholtz-Edinburgh Research School for Epigenetics “EpiCrossBorders.” Scientific Awards: Elected Member of Academia Europeae (2021), HFSP and EMBO Fellow (2000-2004), HFSP Career Development Award (2005-2012), ERC Grantee, Chaire Gutenberg (2012). Robert is deeply committed to mentoring future scientists, co-founding the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS-MCB) and leading the EpiCrossBorders training program for epigenetics research.