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Axel BehrensView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Ubiquitylation
• Transcription
• +5 more

Axel Behrens is a prominent academic and researcher in the field of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, currently holding the position of Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London, UK. He is also a Principal Fellow at King's College London and an Honorary Full Professor at University College London. Behrens is an EMBO member and has received an ERC Grant for his work. Education: Biological Sciences at Universities of Innsbruck and Vienna, Diploma and PhD from University of Vienna Academic: Honorary Full Professor at University College London, Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute Professional: Senior Scientist at Cancer Research UK, Principal Fellow at King's College London Behrens' research focuses on multiple areas including stem cells, ubiquitylation, transcription, DNA damage, and cancer biology. His work has particularly explored the role of the c-Jun protein in cellular processes, the function of Fbw7 in intestinal homeostasis and cancer, and the role of ATM signaling pathways in genomic stability. His recent publications (2011-2015) demonstrate a strong focus on molecular mechanisms in cancer development, particularly in intestinal and lung cancers, as well as the role of ubiquitin ligases and proteases in cell biology. These works explore areas such as: c-Jun phosphorylation and activation Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation ATM signaling pathways Intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis Neuronal regeneration Pancreatic cell differentiation Axel Behrens has received several notable scientific awards including: EMBO Young Investigator Programme (2004) ERC Grant (2011) EMBO Membership (2012)

Renato ParoView profile

Professor

• Epigenetic gene control
• Tissue regeneration
• Biosystems Science

Renato Paro is a Full Professor at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, University of Basel, and Founding Director of the ETH Zurich Center for Biosystems Science and Engineering in Basel. His research focuses on epigenetic gene regulation and its role in tissue regeneration. His research explores: Epigenetic mechanisms in developmental biology Chromatin dynamics during gene expression Interaction between environmental signals and epigenetic memory Scientific honors: 1999 Member of Academia Europaea Paro has led multiple research institutions, including the ZMBH (2001-2004) and the ETH Zurich Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (2007-2008). His work spans molecular biology, epigenetics, and biosystems science.

Niels RiksenView profile

Professor

• Innate Immune Reprogramming
• Atherosclerosis Pathophysiology
• Trained Innate Immunity
• +3 more

Niels Riksen is a Full Professor in Vascular Medicine at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) since 2014 and Head of the Division of Vascular Medicine. He previously served as Acting Head of the Department of Internal Medicine (2019-2021) and held leadership roles in the National Society for Vascular Medicine (2017-2019). His academic journey began with a medical degree (2002) and a Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology (2007, cum laude) from Radboud University, followed by postdoctoral research at University College London (2007-2008). Research Interests focus on trained innate immunity , where he pioneered the discovery that metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune cells drives atherosclerosis. Key contributions include identifying the NLRP3 inflammasome and mevalonate pathway as critical mediators, and demonstrating how hyperglycemia and catecholamines induce long-term immune cell activation. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, linking trained immunity to cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathophysiology and therapeutic resistance in conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia. Scientific Impact includes over 212 publications (H-index 48), with recent articles focusing on neutrophil reprogramming and epigenetic enzyme targets ( Set7 ). Grants such as the 2023 NHLBI PPG ($1.25M) and 2018 ERA-CVD MEMORY Consortium (€870k) underscore his leadership. His invited lectures at major conferences (e.g., 2024 Japanese Circulation Society, 2022 AHA, 2022 ESC) highlight global recognition. Vascular Medicine Award (2008) Einthoven Award (2008) Excellence3 Award (2006) Current work explores pharmacological modulation of trained immunity in collaboration with the Belgian Centre for Drug Design and Discovery, aiming to develop novel therapies for CVD and metabolic disorders.

Robert SchneiderView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin
• Histone modifications
• +5 more

Robert Schneider serves as Director of the Institute for Functional Epigenetics (IFE) at Helmholtz Zentrum München and Professor at the Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich. His academic career spans leadership positions at major European research institutions including IGBMC in Strasbourg and the Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg. Dr. Schneider's research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms with particular expertise in chromatin biology, histone modifications, and transcriptional memory. His laboratory investigates the molecular basis of epigenetic reprogramming, environment-genome interactions, and metabolic signaling to chromatin. Current work explores how metabolic signals influence chromatin states and how epigenetic information is maintained through cell divisions. His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding histone modifications, particularly regarding less-studied modifications like propionylation and succinylation, as well as the role of linker histones in chromatin organization. Recent work connects metabolic pathways with epigenetic regulation, showing how cellular metabolites directly influence chromatin states and gene expression patterns. ERC Starting Grant (2007) HFSP Career Development Award (2005) Chaire Gutenberg awarded by Universite de Strasbourg (2011) Ligue Contre la Cancer, Equipe labelisée (2014) Membership of Epigenesys Network of Excellence (2011) As an active member of the epigenetics community, Schneider serves on multiple scientific boards including the Research Coordination Board of the German Center for Diabetes Research since 2017. He has organized numerous major conferences including the 2023 GRC on DNA and Histone Modifications and the annual Munich Epigenetics Spotlight series since 2016. His laboratory maintains strong collaborative networks across Europe through initiatives like the 'Epicrossborders' International Research School which he has led since 2019.

Pura Muñoz-CánovesView profile

Research Professor

• Cellular senescence in aging muscle
• Inflammation and fibrosis in muscle regeneration and muscular dystrophy
• Circadian rhythms in stem cells
• +2 more

Pura Muñoz-Cánoves is a Senior Research Professor at ICREA (Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies) and a Full Professor of Cell Biology at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain. Since 2016, she has also served as a Group Leader at the Spanish National Cardiovascular Research Center (CNIC) in Madrid. Her research focuses on stem cell biology, particularly in aging muscle regeneration, inflammation, fibrosis, and circadian rhythms. Current affiliations: ICREA, UPF, CNIC Education: PhD in Biological Sciences (Autonomous University of Madrid, 1990) Her work addresses critical questions in cellular senescence, tissue repair, and regenerative medicine. Publications in Cell , Nature , and EMBO Journal highlight her contributions to understanding muscle stem cell dynamics and autophagy. She has received prestigious awards such as the ERC Advanced Grant, Pfizer Award, and the Narcís Monturiol Medal. Key research themes include: Mechanisms of stem cell aging and rejuvenation Role of autophagy in tissue homeostasis Inflammatory and fibrotic responses in muscular dystrophy Circadian regulation of stem cell functions Her recent publications emphasize stress adaptation, metabolic control, and epigenetic regulation in stem cells. Awards span from the Fulbright fellowship to EMBO membership and Catalan Government excellence grants. Scientific leadership: Editorial board member: FEBS Journal, Skeletal Muscle, Oncotarget Scientific advisory roles: Leibniz Institute on Aging, French Muscular Dystrophy Association She has mentored 18 PhD students and 12 postdocs, with six postdocs now leading independent groups.

• Immunometabolism
• T cell biology
• Cancer immunology
• +4 more

Andreas Berg serves as an Associate Professor at the Medical University of Vienna, where he is affiliated with the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. His academic profile bridges medical physics, immunology, and clinical research through interdisciplinary investigations into immune-metabolic interactions. His research focuses on: Immunometabolic regulation of T cell subsets (CD8+ T cells, TH17, Tregs) in disease contexts Bile acid metabolism's role in intestinal inflammation and autoimmune disorders Viral immunology mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 and arenavirus systems Wastewater-based epidemiology for pathogen surveillance Cancer metabolic dependencies and therapeutic targeting Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in immunometabolic crosstalk, particularly how metabolite availability governs T cell differentiation and effector functions in infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. His wastewater virome work has established critical pandemic monitoring frameworks, while his bile acid research identifies novel therapeutic avenues for inflammatory conditions. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. Information regarding student advising, grant funding specifics, or laboratory team structures was not provided in the available texts, though his extensive publication record indicates active research leadership within his center.

Katalin KarikóView profile

Professor

• mRNA vaccines
• RNA-based therapeutics
• Nucleoside modifications
• +3 more

Katalin Karikó is a Hungarian-American biochemist and Professor at the University of Szeged , with a career spanning institutions like the University of Pennsylvania , Temple University , and BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals . Her groundbreaking work on nucleoside-modified mRNA revolutionized vaccine development, notably enabling the first mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 . She co-authored landmark studies on RNA immunogenicity, lipid nanoparticle delivery, and therapeutic applications.

Reik WolfView profile

Professor

• Epigenetic reprogramming
• Epigenetics
• DNA methylation
• +4 more

Reik Wolf is an Honorary Professor of Epigenetics at the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, and Head of the Epigenetics Programme at The Babraham Institute. His research spans epigenetic reprogramming in development and aging, focusing on DNA methylation, imprinting, and epigenomic stability. Honorary Professor (2008–present) Associate Director of Research (2004–present), The Babraham Institute Principal Investigator (1989–present), The Babraham Institute His work explores global epigenetic reprogramming during mammalian development, transcriptional-epigenetic interactions in germ layer formation, and age-related epigenomic degradation. Recent studies include single-cell age prediction tools, comparative trophoblast stem cell biology, and extraembryonic mesoderm diversification. Notable awards include election to the Royal Society (2010) and Academia Europaea (2011), alongside EMBO and Academy of Medical Sciences memberships. His grants include EU-funded BLUEPRINT (2011–2016) and EpigeneSys (2010–2015), and MRC/BBSRC collaborative and project grants. Wolf mentors PhD students Jonathan Boudeman and Yongmin Kwon, and collaborates with the Centre for Trophoblast Research. His lab investigates epigenetic mechanisms in development, aging, and disease using interdisciplinary approaches.

• RNA binding proteins
• Epigenetics
• Root architecture
• +5 more

Martin Crespi is a CNRS Researcher at the Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2) since 2018 and has led the "Regulatory RNAs in root plasticity" team since 2003. He served as Director of IPS2 (2015-2024), Director of the Plant Genomics Unit (2014-2015), and held leadership roles at CNRS institutions since 1994. Current Position: Researcher, CNRS, IPS2 Leadership: 14-member team (7 permanent) His research focuses on non-coding RNAs, epigenetics, and root development, exploring how riboregulators interact with splicing/chromatin factors to modulate root adaptability. His work bridges plant molecular biology, symbiosis, and environmental stress responses. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding RNA-mediated regulation in Arabidopsis and Medicago truncatula, covering topics like alternative splicing, chromatin looping, and miRNAome plasticity. These studies integrate genomics and molecular biology to decode root-soil interactions. Scientific Awards: Prix Dr. Pedro Berdoy (Argentina), National Society of Experimental Biology Award (Argentina) He has supervised 18 PhD students, 43 postdocs, and 14 Masters while leading 61 projects (including 9 EU grants and 7 Marie Curie grants) and participating in over 30 international scientific committees or review panels.

• DNA Replication
• Cell Cycle Regulation
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Méchali Marcel is a Research Professor and Laboratory Head at the Institute of Human Genetics (CNRS-University of Montpellier), specializing in DNA replication dynamics and genome organization. He has held leadership roles, including Director of the Institute of Human Genetics (2003-2006) and Director of the Labex Network EpiGenMed (2011-2021). His research integrates genomic and protein methodologies, using Xenopus, mouse models, and human/mouse embryonic stem cells to study replication origins and their role in development and disease. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Postdoctoral training at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK). Key contributions include discovering the OGRE DNA element, the licensing factor Cdt1, and MCM8/9 proteins critical for genome stability. He is a founding Director of GENOPOLYS, fostering translational research collaborations. Research highlights the interplay between DNA replication and cellular identity, revealing origins' roles in cancer and differentiation. Awards include the CNRS Silver Medal (1996), EMBO Membership (2002), and French Legion of Honour (2010).

Jörn WalterView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• DNA methylation
• Epigenetic reprogramming
• +4 more

Jörn Walter is a Full Professor (Chair of Genetics) at Saarland University, Germany, since 2000. He is a leading figure in epigenetics, with a focus on DNA methylation, genomic imprinting, and epigenomic reprogramming. Walter co-founded the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC) in 2009 and led the German Epigenome Program (DEEP) from 2011. His career spans key roles at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Molecular Genetics and the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK. Chair of Genetics, Saarland University (2000–present) Group Leader, MPI for Molecular Genetics (1994–2000) Postdoctoral Fellow, MPI for Molecular Genetics and Babraham Institute (1990–1994) PhD Student, MPI for Molecular Genetics (1986–1990) His research explores epigenetic mechanisms in development, disease, and evolution, including global demethylation in mouse zygotes, DNA methyltransferase cloning, and single-cell epigenomics. Walter pioneered epigenomic analyses across human chromosomes and contributed to large-scale EU programs like BLUEPRINT and SYSCID. Walter has been recognized as an elected member of the Life Science Panel of the Deutsche Forschungs-Gemeinschaft (DFG) and a key advisor to the German ministry of science and education. He co-led national and international networks, including the European Flagship initiative LifeTime (2018), and serves as co-chair of IHEC’s scientific steering board.

Cai ZhimingView profile

Professor

• Synthetic Biology
• Cancer Therapy
• Genomics
• +3 more

Zhiming Cai is a prominent academic leader and researcher in synthetic biology and oncology. He serves as President of the Shenzhen Medical Association, Dean of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, and Outstanding Principal Investigator at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Synthetic Biology. His academic roles include leadership in national research centers such as the National Tumor Genome Application Engineering Laboratory. Dr. Cai's education includes MD/PhD studies in Urology at Sun Yat-sen University (1989-1993). His career spans over two decades in hospital administration and research leadership, including roles as Dean of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital and Director of the National Genitourinary Oncology Research Center. His research focuses on engineered cell therapies, synthetic gene circuits, and cancer genomics. Key contributions include the 'Remodeling Tumor Suppressor Theory' and development of CRISPR-based tools for cancer treatment. His work has been published in top-tier journals like Nature , Nature Genetics , and Cell . Dr. Cai has received numerous accolades, including the AIMBE Fellowship, Ukrainian honorary doctorate, and multiple provincial/national science awards. His labs and initiatives include leadership in the National 973 Program and collaborations with global institutions like the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Grants/Leadership: Chief Scientist of China's first national medical synthetic biology project, director of multiple国家级 laboratories. Labs/Teams: Leads teams in synthetic biology, cancer genomics, and translational oncology at CAS and Shenzhen University.

Susan GasserView profile

Professor

• RecQ helicases
• Replication checkpoint kinases
• Epigenetics
• +8 more

Susan Gasser is a Full Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Basel and has served as Director of the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research since 2004. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Basel in 1982 and has held academic positions at the University of Geneva (2001-2004) and ISREC (1986-2001). Her research focuses on chromatin dynamics, nuclear organization, and genome integrity, with a particular emphasis on RecQ helicases, DNA repair pathways, and telomere positioning. PhD: University of Basel (1982), Biochemistry B.A.: University of Chicago (1979), Biological Sciences (Biophysics) Her laboratory employs live fluorescence microscopy and genetic models to study chromatin's role in differentiation and degenerative diseases. Recent publications highlight mechanisms of nucleosome positioning, DNA methylation, and transcription factor interactions. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Latsis Prize, EMBO/FEBS Women in Science Award, and the Weizmann Institute Women in Science Award. Gasser has advised multiple PhD students and leads a team at the FMI. Scientific awards include: National Latsis Prize (1991) EMBO election (1993) Friedrich Miescher Prize (1994) Academia Europaea (1998) Gregor Mendal Medal (2006) European Research Council Advanced Grant (2015) Her work bridges molecular genetics and epigenetics, with a focus on nuclear architecture and its impact on gene expression and DNA repair.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Epigenetics
• Gene Regulation
• +3 more

Martin Leeb is an Associate Professor at the Max Perutz Laboratories, affiliated with the Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics. His research focuses on stem cell biology, epigenetics, and gene regulation, particularly in the context of pluripotency transitions and developmental processes. He leads projects on gene networks in pluripotency, cell fate choice mechanisms, and endo-mesodermal lineage dynamics, funded by multiple grants. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Research interests include embryonic stem cell biology, enhancer-promoter interactions, X-inactivation, and transcriptional regulation. Key contributions involve studies on haploid embryonic stem cells, genomic imprinting, and the role of FoxO transcription factors in pluripotency. Projects span from 2015 to 2029, emphasizing functional genetic networks and lineage transitions. Publications highlight advancements in 3D genome architecture, formative pluripotency programs, and mechanisms of genetic recombination. Collaborations explore global research networks, with ongoing projects on lineage choice and pluripotency dynamics. Leeb’s work bridges basic science with potential therapeutic applications in genetic disorders and regenerative medicine.

Herbert StroblView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Dendritic Cells
• Immune Homeostasis
• +4 more

Herbert Strobl is a full professor and Chairman of the Division of Immunology and Pathophysiology at the Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Austria. His research focuses on dendritic cells, immune homeostasis, and the role of TGF-β/BMP signaling in autoimmune diseases and cancer. He leads investigations into Langerhans cell differentiation and myeloid cell functions. Education includes: Medical degree (Dr. med. univ.) from the University of Vienna (1991) Postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University (1998-2001) Board certification in Immunology (1999) Research interests span dendritic cell biology, immune tolerance mechanisms, TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways, Langerhans cell specialization, and inflammation regulation in epithelial tissues. His work integrates molecular immunology with translational applications for autoimmune disorders and cancer immunotherapy. Publications emphasize dendritic cell identity, TGF-β-dependent differentiation, lipid metabolism in immunity, and novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases. Recurring themes include Langerhans cell regulation, immune-metabolic crosstalk, and microenvironmental influences on myeloid cells. Supervised students include Magdalena Lang (graduated). He directs the Otto Loewi Research Center, fostering collaborations in vascular biology and inflammation research.