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
Konstantinos Anastassiadis is a Professor at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) of Dresden University of Technology , leading the Stem Cell Engineering group at the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) . His research focuses on unraveling molecular pathways regulating stem cell self-renewal and lineage commitment, with a strong emphasis on genetic engineering tool development and epigenetic mechanisms during cellular reprogramming. The lab utilizes mouse and human embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in their investigations. Core Research Areas: Molecular regulation of stem cell fate Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., UTX/UTY histone demethylases) Genetic engineering tool development (Flp, Dre, Vika recombinases, CRISPR protocols) Conditional immortalization systems for rare cell expansion Publications highlight his contributions to understanding: Role of histone methyltransferases (MLL1, MLL2, Setd1b) in hematopoiesis and cancer Epigenetic regulation during mouse development and spermatogenesis Genetic tools for protein tagging, transposon-mediated BAC transgenesis Interactions between stem cells and niche microenvironments Transcriptional and mechanical markers during reprogramming Collaborations span immunology , developmental biology , and bioinformatics . The lab actively participates in teaching activities at CMCB and maintains a focus on translational applications of stem cell research.
Omer Bayraktar is a Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute , leading research in the Cellular Genomics Programme. His work focuses on decoding human brain cellular diversity using spatial transcriptomics , imaging , and functional screening to study neural complexity in health and disease. Bayraktar's educational background includes a PhD from HHMI under Chris Doe, investigating neural diversity development in Drosophila , followed by postdoctoral work at University of California, San Francisco and University of Cambridge as a Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellow. He developed a spatial transcriptomic pipeline during his postdoc to analyze astrocyte heterogeneity in the cerebral cortex. His research explores neural cell type mapping , glial-neuronal interactions , and cellular pathways in neurodevelopmental disorders . Recent publications emphasize 3D tissue mapping , multi-omic integration , and computational tools like Cell2fate and WebAtlas. His work bridges neurogenetics and computational biology to advance understanding of human tissue ecosystems. Bayraktar's lab collaborates with the Human Cell Atlas initiative and develops technologies such as automated histology pipelines and highly-multiplexed smFISH for molecular cell typing. His team also investigates glia-based therapies and astrocyte functional heterogeneity in neurodevelopmental contexts. Key scientific contributions include: Discovering astrocyte layer patterns independent of neuronal laminae Developing cell2location for spatial cell mapping Characterizing Drosophila neural stem cell models with human relevance Notable awards include the Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellowship during his postdoctoral training. His current group includes a PhD student , Senior Data Scientists , and Bioinformaticians .
Dr. Peter Bartsch serves as curator of the fish collection and construction project officer at the Museum für Naturkunde (MfN), Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, which is affiliated with Humboldt University Berlin. With expertise in ichthyology, embryology, and comparative anatomy, Dr. Bartsch has been instrumental in the museum's collection management and building renovation projects since joining the institution as a research associate before becoming curator in 2000. Dr. Bartsch received his academic training in ichthyology, embryology, and comparative anatomy at the University of Cologne. His academic career includes positions as a research assistant at the University of Tübingen and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Natural History Museum in Stockholm before joining the Museum für Naturkunde. Dr. Bartsch's primary research focuses on the evolution and systematics of major groups of bony fishes (Osteichthyes), with particular emphasis on primitive ray-finned fish lineages. His work integrates morphological analysis of both fossil and extant species to understand evolutionary relationships. A significant portion of his research centers on the developmental biology of ancient fish groups, especially the Polypteridae (bichirs), examining embryonic development, skeletal formation, and sensory systems. More recently, his interests have expanded to include the logistics and optimal management of research collections, reflecting his administrative responsibilities at the museum. Analysis of Dr. Bartsch's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on fish morphology, evolution, and development, with particular attention to primitive actinopterygian lineages. His work spans both systematic taxonomy and functional morphology, with increasing attention to museum collection management challenges. The publications demonstrate expertise in comparative anatomy across diverse fish groups including chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) and basal actinopterygians. Recent work shows integration of molecular phylogenetic approaches with traditional morphological analysis. Dr. Bartsch has held significant administrative roles at the Museum für Naturkunde, serving as head of the collections department from 2011 to 2013. He was responsible for the museum's construction program for the east wing reconstruction, completed in 2010, which created modern facilities for the storage and scientific processing of the museum's wet collections. Currently, he manages the second phase of the building's renovation that began in 2011 and participates in planning for the future development of the museum's facilities. The Museum für Naturkunde houses extensive ichthyological collections that form the basis for Dr. Bartsch's research. His work involves close collaboration with various research teams within the museum, particularly in the areas of molecular phylogenetics, collection preservation, and paleontological research. The museum's facilities include specialized laboratories for morphological analysis, molecular studies, and collection management that support his research activities.
Philipp Neumann is a Professor and Chair of High-Performance Computing at Helmut Schmidt University since 2019. Previously, he held roles including Senior Researcher at the German Climate Computing Center (2016–2019), Postdoc at the University of Hamburg (2017–2019), and completed his Habilitation in Scientific Computing at TU Munich (2019). He transitioned to DESY/Universität Hamburg in May 2024. Education : PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Scientific Computing at TU Munich (2008–2013) Habilitation in Scientific Computing at TU Munich (2019) Studies in Technomathematics at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (2003–2008) Research Interests focus on high-performance computing, parallel and distributed systems, computational science, and applications in climate modeling. His work bridges computational methods with medical challenges, including surgical simulation training, wound healing mechanisms, and gastrointestinal pathology. Professional Activities include leadership roles in major conferences such as steering committee member for ISPDC (since 2021) and program committee roles in IPDPS, ICCS, and IEEE Cluster. He also managed the DFG priority program SPPEXA (2013–2016). Labs/Teams include the Chair for High-Performance Computing at Helmut Schmidt University and collaborations with the German Climate Computing Center. His current work at DESY/Universität Hamburg likely expands these computational efforts into interdisciplinary research.
Prof. Dr. Petra Schwille is a Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and former C4 Professor of Biophysics at Dresden University of Technology . Her work spans molecular and cellular biophysics, synthetic biology, and single-molecule techniques. Academic disciplines: Natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences Key roles: Editorial Board member (Nature Methods, Biophysical Journal), Governing Council of Biophysical Society Research Focus includes membrane biophysics, protein interactions, and microfluidic systems. Her publications emphasize Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) , receptor-ligand dynamics, and self-organization in bacterial cell division. Developed in vitro models for spatial regulation in cells Explored calmodulin availability and morphogen gradient formation Scientific Recognition includes prestigious awards like the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2010) and the Biofuture grant (1998) . Max Planck Fellow (2005) Young Investigator Award (2003) Leadership & Service involves roles such as Dean of Studies for Nanobiophysics at TU Dresden and Vice Dean of the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) . She also contributes to editorial and advisory boards in biophysics and science policy.
Dr. Maja Matis is a Group Leader at the University of Muenster's Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE) within the Institute of Cell Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanical role of microtubules in tissue morphogenesis, particularly how microtubule-generated forces contribute to tissue remodeling through coordinated cellular behaviors. She leads the Matis Lab, which employs advanced microscopy techniques and genetic approaches to study cytoskeletal mechanics in developmental contexts. Key research areas include the structural regulation of microtubules, mechanics-driven cell shape changes, and integration of forces at adherens junctions. Her interdisciplinary projects combine biophysics, developmental biology, and quantitative imaging to unravel mechanisms underlying collective cell behavior during tissue formation. Notable contributions include studies on microtubule compression dynamics in epithelial tissues and the role of PCP signaling in patterning microtubule networks. She collaborates with institutions like the Cells in Motion Cluster of Excellence and has mentored multiple PhD/MD students. Her work is published in high-impact journals such as Nat. Commun. and Nat. Cell Biol.
Michael Boutros is a Full Professor at Heidelberg University and Head of Division at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). He currently serves as Dean of the Medical Faculty at Heidelberg University (since 2023) and Director of the Marsilius Kolleg (since 2020). He has held leadership roles including Coordinator of the Functional and Structural Genomics Program at DKFZ (2014–2023) and Acting Scientific Director (2015–2016). His academic base is within the Medical Faculty, focusing on molecular oncology and functional genomics. PhD, Witten/Herdecke University (1993–1996) Postdoctoral Research, Harvard Medical School (1999–2003) MPA, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1999–2001) Additional training: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, SUNY Stony Brook His research centers on Wnt signaling, functional genomics, and cancer pathways. He leads major research initiatives such as CRC 1324 on Wnt signaling and the ERC Synergy Grant DECODE. His work integrates high-throughput screening, CRISPR, and systems biology to dissect signaling networks in cancer and development. He has pioneered genome-wide RNAi and CRISPR screens to identify novel regulators of Wnt signaling across models. The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong focus on Wnt pathway regulation using functional genomics in both Drosophila and mammalian systems. Themes include high-throughput screening, CRISPR-based validation, cross-species conservation, and therapeutic targeting. Keywords span Cancer Biology, Systems Biology, and Signal Transduction, with subfields like RNAi, ubiquitination, stem cell regulation, and machine learning in image analysis. Michael Boutros has received numerous scientific honors: Elected member, Leopoldina National Academy of Sciences (2022) Elected member, Heidelberg Academy of Sciences (2022) EMBO Member (2013) ERC Advanced Grant (2012) Johann-Georg Zimmermann Research Award (2007) EMBO Young Investigator (2005) Member, 'Die Junge Akademie' (2003) He has been a recipient of the Emmy-Noether Program, McCloy Fellowship, Boehringer Ingelheim PhD Fellowship, Studienstiftung Fellowship, and Fulbright Fellowship. As a mentor and research leader, he has supervised numerous early-career scientists and coordinated large collaborative grants including the FP7 'CancerPathways' project. He currently serves as Speaker of the Research and Strategy Commission at Heidelberg University and Managing Director of the Health and Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim. He leads the CRC 1324 on Wnt signaling and is Coordinating PI of the ERC Synergy Grant DECODE. He is also Spokesperson of DFG Research Group 1036 and Coordinator of the former FP7 Coordinated Project 'CancerPathways'. His lab employs cutting-edge functional genomics tools to decode signaling networks in cancer and development.
Prof. Dr. Kei Ito is a leading neuroscientist at the University of Cologne , specializing in Drosophila melanogaster brain architecture. His research focuses on mapping " terra incognita " regions of the brain, analyzing glial cell functions across development, and establishing standardized insect brain nomenclature through international collaboration. As AXA Chairholder and former HHMI Senior Fellow , he combines molecular genetics with 3D virtual reality visualization to unravel neuronal network organization . Academic Affiliation : University of Cologne (2016–present) Prior Positions : The University of Tokyo (2002–2017), National Institute for Basic Biology (1998–2002) Research Interests span multiple domains: "Terra Incognita" Analysis : Systematic mapping of previously uncharacterized brain regions (70% of brain volume) Glial Cell Biology : Classification and functional analysis from embryo to adult Connectome Research : Integration of electron microscopy data with genetic tools Neuronal Lineage Studies : 3D reconstruction of neuroblast progeny patterns Scientific Contributions include: Creation of 4,500 NP Gal4 driver lines (Japan consortium, 1998) Pioneering Split-Gal4 systems for precise neuron labeling Establishment of 6 distinct neuron naming schemes for EM data Leadership in Insect Brain Name Working Group (2007–2014) Advising Legacy features direct mentorship of 6 doctoral students and collaborative analysis of 3,777 neuron types in EM datasets. His lab maintains 1,000+ specific Split-Gal4 lines for terra incognita research.
Prof. Alessandra Moretti is a Professor of Regenerative Medicine of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine and Health. She leads research in stem cell biology and cardiovascular development, with a focus on regenerative therapeutic approaches for heart diseases. Her educational background includes a degree in Chemistry and Pharmacy from the University of Padua, Italy, where she earned her doctorate in 1997. She completed four years of postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego, and Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital. Prof. Moretti's research centers on cardiovascular progenitor cells, cellular plasticity, and human induced pluripotent stem cells for modeling cardiovascular diseases. Her work bridges fundamental developmental biology and clinical applications, targeting cardiac cell specification mechanisms and novel treatments for heart failure and muscular dystrophies through regenerative approaches. Her publication trajectory shows progression from foundational discoveries in cardiac progenitor cells (e.g., Isl1+ lineage studies) to translational applications like gene editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The research consistently integrates molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte identity with disease modeling using patient-specific stem cells. She has received several prestigious awards, including: ERC Advanced Grant (2018) German University Medicine Innovation Award (2013) Biology Prize of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences (2012) Principal Investigator of the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) (since 2011) Astra-Zeneca Prize for Cardiovascular Research (2006) Prof. Moretti leads a research group at Klinikum rechts der Isar focusing on stem cell-based cardiovascular regeneration. Her laboratory investigates molecular pathways in heart development and disease using advanced stem cell models, supported by major grants including the ERC Advanced Grant and DZHK funding. She continues to advance therapeutic strategies for cardiac repair through gene editing and stem cell engineering.
Professor Erez Raz serves as Director of the Institute of Cell Biology at the University of Münster and is affiliated with the Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE). He is a prominent member of the Cluster of Excellence "Cells in Motion" and serves on the board of the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. His research group "AG Raz: Cell biology in vivo - Germ-cell development" investigates fundamental mechanisms of cell migration in living organisms. Professor Raz's research focuses on cell migration, cell-fate maintenance, and organogenesis within live vertebrate embryos. His laboratory primarily employs zebrafish as a model organism due to its transparent embryos that develop externally, enabling high-resolution live imaging of cellular processes. His work has revealed critical mechanisms of how cells navigate within developing organisms, with significant implications for understanding pathological conditions like cancer metastasis and inflammatory processes where cell migration becomes dysregulated. His recent publications demonstrate a sustained focus on molecular mechanisms controlling germ cell migration, including the roles of RNA-binding proteins like Dnd1, bleb formation dynamics, mitochondrial regulation of germ cell fitness, and tissue microenvironment influences on cell protrusion types. His research uniquely integrates approaches from cell biology, biophysics, genetics, and mathematical modeling to gain comprehensive insights into cellular migration dynamics. Over 100 publications spanning two decades Extensive collaborations across disciplines Methodological innovations in cell imaging and manipulation Professor Raz has successfully mentored numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between biologists, physicists, mathematicians, and clinicians. His laboratory has developed innovative techniques for cell ablation, mRNA labeling, and in vivo manipulations using optical tweezers, contributing significantly to methodological advances in the field. His laboratory participates in the Multiscale Imaging Centre and the "Cells in Motion" research network, providing access to state-of-the-art imaging capabilities for studying cellular dynamics at multiple scales, from molecular interactions to whole-organism development.
Dr. Pablo Oteiza serves as Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Martinsried, Germany, where he leads the Flow Sensing research group. Previously, he was Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (2019-2024) and Research Associate there (2016-2019). His academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science (2010-2016), and graduate studies at Universidad de Chile and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology (2004-2010). Dr. Oteiza's research program investigates how aquatic animals sense and respond to their hydrodynamic environment. His quantitative behavioral approach seeks to understand the fundamental principles governing flow navigation in fish and amphibians. His work spans sensory biology, neuroscience, biomechanics, and evolutionary biology, with zebrafish serving as a primary model organism. His research bridges physical hydrodynamics with biological sensory mechanisms, exploring how organisms extract meaningful information from fluid movements. Analysis of Dr. Oteiza's publications reveals a research trajectory evolving from developmental biology toward specialized sensory mechanisms. His work in high-impact journals demonstrates consistent focus on sensory systems across multiple scales - from cellular and molecular mechanisms to whole-organism behavior. His research shows particular strength in connecting physical stimuli with neural processing and behavioral outputs, especially in aquatic environments. As Research Group Leader, Dr. Oteiza oversees a laboratory investigating fundamental questions about hydrodynamic sensing. His team employs advanced techniques to study neural circuits, sensory processing, and behavioral responses to water flow, contributing significantly to our understanding of how organisms interact with their fluid environments. His collaborative work extends across international institutions, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.
Dr. Aydan Bulut-Karslıoğlu is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, where she leads the Bulut-Karslıoğlu Lab focused on gene-environment interactions in stem cells and development. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of embryonic diapause and stem cell state transitions. Dr. Bulut-Karslıoğlu's educational background includes: B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (major) and Biology (minor) from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey (2006) M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey (2008) Ph.D. from Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany (2013) Her research focuses on mechanisms regulating stem cell state transitions and fate commitment, particularly how cells communicate signals from their surroundings to the gene expression machinery. She has pioneered work on mammalian embryonic diapause - a reversible dormant state that gives embryos extra time to develop. Her lab uses a combination of functional perturbation methods in stem cells and early mouse embryos with omics, imaging, and biochemistry to reveal how genetic networks adjust to the status of the embryo. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the epigenetic and metabolic regulation of embryonic diapause, with particular emphasis on mTOR signaling, lipid metabolism, and DNA methylation dynamics. Her work bridges developmental biology, stem cell research, and metabolism, demonstrating how environmental cues like oxygen levels and nutrient availability influence developmental timing and cell fate decisions. Her notable scientific achievements include: Sofja Kovalevskaja Award (2018) ERC Starting Grant (2023) ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2025) GSCN Young Investigator Award (2025) Dr. Bulut-Karslıoğlu actively mentors the next generation of scientists, currently supervising multiple PhD students including Persia Akbari-Omgba, Anastasios Balaskas, Heleen Mallie, and Gunwant Patil. Her lab has received substantial funding through prestigious grants, including the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award, ERC Starting Grant, and ERC Proof of Concept Grant, enabling her team to pursue innovative research at the intersection of developmental biology and metabolism. The Bulut-Karslıoğlu Lab maintains a vibrant research environment with both computational and experimental scientists working together to unravel the mysteries of embryonic diapause and stem cell regulation. The lab actively participates in the International Max Planck Research School for Biology And Computation (IMPRS-BAC), contributing to the training of doctoral candidates at the interface of molecular life sciences and computational sciences.
Dr. Wolfgang Hübner is a Researcher at the Faculty of Physics at University of Bielefeld, Germany, affiliated with the Biomolecular Photonics Group. His work focuses on advanced optical imaging techniques applied to cellular and molecular structures. He maintains an active research program as evidenced by numerous publications from 2023-2025. His research interests center on photonics, biophotonics, optical microscopy, super-resolution imaging techniques, cellular biophysics, and molecular imaging. Dr. Hübner's work bridges physics and biology, developing and applying cutting-edge microscopy methods to address biological questions at the nanoscale level. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on super-resolution microscopy techniques, particularly structured illumination microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and correlative imaging approaches. His research investigates cellular structures like liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, dystroglycan mutants, and mitochondrial dynamics, revealing how advanced optical methods can visualize biological processes at unprecedented resolution. Dr. Hübner's research shows consistent development in both methodological advances in optical imaging and biological applications. His work spans from fundamental optical engineering to biomedical applications, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise across physics, engineering, and cell biology.
Prof. Matias Simons is a University Professor (W3) for Molecular Human Genetics at Heidelberg University's Institute of Human Genetics. He leads the Nephrogenetics Section (AG Simons) and serves as Deputy Director of the Institute. His research focuses on understanding genetic mechanisms underlying kidney diseases, particularly proximal tubular dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and translational applications of Drosophila models. He holds ERC funding (RENOPROTECT) and has pioneered studies on cubilin's role in proteinuria and ER stress in kidney cells. Education & Career: MD from Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and Karolinska Institutet Postdoc at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York INSERM Director of Research in Paris Professorships at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and Heidelberg University Research Interests: His lab explores molecular mechanisms of kidney diseases using genetic and cellular approaches. Key areas include nephrogenetics, lipid-membrane interactions in proximal tubules, and functional validation in Drosophila models. Awards: Carl Ludwig Prize (2020), ERC Consolidator Grant, and contributions to genomic newborn screening programs.
