Heinz HimmelbauerView profile
Professor
Heinz Himmelbauer is a full Professor and Head of the Institute of Computational Biology (ICB) at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His research is centered on bioinformatics and genomics, with a strong focus on plant systems, particularly Beta vulgaris (sugar beet and wild beets), as well as other crops like quinoa and peach. He has a distinguished academic career, having led research groups at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona before joining BOKU. Education: Studied at the University of Salzburg (1983–1991), earned PhD at Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London; postdoctoral training at Princeton University and Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna. Positions: Professor at BOKU (2015–present), Head of Institute (2019–present); Unit Head at CRG, Barcelona (2008–2015); Group Leader at Max Planck Institute (1995–2015). His research interests span bioinformatics, genomics, plant evolutionary biology, and computational methods in genetics . He applies cutting-edge techniques such as long-read sequencing, k-mer analysis, methylation profiling, and machine learning to understand plant genome evolution, domestication, adaptation, and genetic regulation. His work integrates high-throughput data with biological insight to address questions in crop improvement and fundamental plant biology. The recent publications and presentations (2020–2024) reflect a consistent focus on plant genomics, phylogenetics, and computational methods . Key themes include the analysis of wild and cultivated beets, characterization of self-incompatibility systems, adaptation to climate, and the development of machine learning models for genomic analysis. His work frequently involves collaboration with experts in plant breeding, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. Scientific Contributions: Genome assembly and analysis of sugar beet and wild relatives. Development of k-mer-based phylogenetic methods. Investigation of methylation patterns using deep learning. Study of genetic self-incompatibility in Beta species. Analysis of climatic adaptation in peach. He has supervised numerous university theses, indicating an active role in mentoring students, although specific names are not listed. He regularly presents at major conferences such as the International Botanical Congress, German Conference on Bioinformatics, and Plant & Animal Genome Conference. His work is supported by institutional affiliation with BOKU and prior funding from international research centers. He leads a research group within the Institute of Computational Biology, contributing to teaching and research in bioinformatics and biotechnology.
