Kristian Helin is Chief Executive and President of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, and a Professor with affiliations at the University of Copenhagen and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He founded/directed the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Centre for Epigenetics, and Danish Stem Cell Center. His research focuses on epigenetic regulation, cancer biology, and stem cell differentiation. Education: Ph.D. Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen (1991) M.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (1988) Research Interests: Helin's work deciphers molecular mechanisms in cancer, emphasizing epigenetic drivers (e.g., H3K4/H3K36 methylation), transcriptional control, and therapeutic targeting. His lab identified E2F transcription factors, linked epigenetic dysregulation to leukemia/lymphoma, and develops drugs targeting kinases/epigenetic enzymes. Research spans acute myeloid leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, and solid tumors using CRISPR screens and preclinical models. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2023-2025) focus on epigenetic therapy, chromatin remodeling, and kinase signaling in cancer. Key themes include targeting NSD1/KDM5C/RIOK2 enzymes, combination therapies (EZH2/DOT1L inhibitors), and metabolic regulation in leukemia. Studies bridge basic mechanisms (enhancer regulation, insulator accessibility) with translational applications. Awards: Anders Jahre Prize (2014), ERC Advanced Grant (2011), Novo Nordisk Prize (2008) Memberships: Academia Europaea, Royal Danish Academy, EMBO Leadership: Helin co-founded EpiTherapeutics (acquired by Gilead) and leads the Epigenetics and Cancer lab at ICR. His team investigates AML pathogenesis and chromatin complexes like HUSH/NURF. Grants include ERC funding and innovation prizes.
Zhimin Lu is a Professor and Dean of the Institute of Translational Medicine at Zhejiang University, China, and holds the Kuancheng Wang Distinguished Chair. Previously, he served at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 18 years as a Professor and Director of the Cancer Metabolism Program. Education : MD from Taishan Medical College, PhD from City University of New York, and postdoctoral training at The Salk Institute. His research focuses on cancer metabolism , signal transduction , and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression . He pioneered discoveries on the non-metabolic roles of metabolic enzymes in cancer, including the protein kinase activity of PKM2, Warburg effect mechanisms, and histone modifications driven by metabolic enzymes. His publications (over 120 peer-reviewed articles, including 40+ in Cell, Nature, and Science sister journals) reveal trends in oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic regulation. Key subfields include PKM2 dynamics, Warburg effect, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk. Scientific Awards : Fellow of AAAS (2017), Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Award (2016), James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar (2012), American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2009), and multiple MD Anderson awards. He serves as Chief Editor for Metabolic Discovery and Visualized Cancer Medicine , Deputy Editor for the Journal of The National Cancer Center , and editorial board member for over 10 journals. His work has transformed understanding of cancer metabolism and its diagnostic/therapeutic applications.
Joseph Strauss is a Full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), leading the Institute of Microbial Genetics. With a career spanning over three decades, he has focused on fungal genetics, epigenetics, and bioactive metabolite discovery, particularly in filamentous fungi and pathogens. His work bridges fundamental research with applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental biotechnology. Research Focus: Epigenetic regulation of fungal secondary metabolism, chromatin dynamics, bioactive compounds, nitrate signaling, and microbial interactions. Projects: Leads multiple grants from Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and industry partners, including studies on chromatin engineering, fungal biotechnology, and toxin biosynthesis. His recent publications highlight advancements in chromatin proteomics, fungal pathogenicity, and novel bioactive molecules like luteapyrone and rasfonin. Articles emphasize broad disciplines such as Fungal Genetics, Epigenetics, and Natural Product Discovery, with subfields including secondary metabolite clusters, histone modifications, and stress response mechanisms. Scientific Awards: 2021 - Keratinophyton straussii fungal species named after him 1999 - START Preis 1995 - EMBO Stipendium 1994 - OTTO LOEWI Stipendium He has supervised over 69 theses and contributed to 186 publications, reflecting his leadership in fungal genomics and its applications. Projects like 'Bioaktive Mikrobielle Metaboliten' and 'TASSMATA' underscore his commitment to translating research into sustainable solutions.
Thomas Carell is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, a position he has held since 2003. He has established himself as a leading researcher in the fields of epigenetics, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. His work bridges chemistry and biology, with significant contributions to understanding epigenetic modifications and the origins of life. Dr. Carell's educational background includes chemistry studies at Münster and Heidelberg Universities, where he completed his PhD under Professor Staab. He then pursued postdoctoral research at MIT with Professor J. Rebek, focusing on chemical compound libraries and projects bridging chemistry and biomedicine. Professor Carell's research interests center on the chemical analysis of epigenetic modifications and processes, particularly focusing on DNA/RNA lesion processes using nucleotide analogues, tracers, and high-end mass spectrometry. His laboratory has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding prebiotic chemistry and the origins of life, developing innovative technologies for non-canonical nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis. A significant portion of his work explores the organic chemistry of modified nucleosides and nucleotides, with implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential therapeutic applications. His research has evolved from early work on nucleic acid chemistry at ETH Zurich to pioneering studies on photolyase reactions and DNA repair at Marburg, culminating in his current work on epigenetic control mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry at LMU Munich. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with articles appearing in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Cell. The research themes span from fundamental organic chemistry to biological applications, with a particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry. His most recent work suggests an early RNA-peptide world, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of life's origins, building on his earlier discoveries regarding DNA lesion-induced mutations, DNA repair mechanisms, and epigenetic control via oxidative DNA methylation. Professor Carell's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Supervisory Board member of BASF SE (2019) Alexander Todd-Hans Krebs Lectureship, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Windaus Memorial Lecture, Göttingen (2017) Inhoffen-Medal for Excellence in Natural Product Research of the Helmholtz Society (2016) Gait-Lecture Award, Royal Society of Chemistry (2014) Werdelmann Lecture, University-Essen Duisburg (2013) Melvin Calvin Lecture in Organic Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley (2011) Šorm Award of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (2011) Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany (2010) Van 't Hoff Lecture, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (2009) Ferdinand Lecture, University of Sheffield (2008) Otto Bayer Award, Bayer Schering Foundation (2008) Philip Morris Research Award (2006) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award of the DFG (2004) Lady Davis Award, Technion, Israel (2004) Pasteur Medal of the JCO, Ecole Polytechnique (2001) Professor Carell leads an active research group (the Carell Group) at LMU Munich, supervising numerous PhD and Master's students working at the intersection of chemistry and biology. His laboratory has secured significant research funding to support their innovative work on epigenetic modifications, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. The group maintains strong international collaborations, as evidenced by Professor Carell's numerous visiting professorships at institutions worldwide, including University Descartes in Paris, Australian National University, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Bologna, and Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The Carell laboratory operates state-of-the-art facilities for organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and molecular biology, enabling their interdisciplinary research approach. The group consists of chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists working collaboratively to address fundamental questions in chemical biology. Professor Carell's election to the Supervisory Board of BASF SE in 2019 highlights the translational impact of his research and his standing in both academic and industrial chemistry communities.
John Gurdon is a renowned British developmental biologist affiliated with the University of Cambridge , where he has served in the Department of Zoology since 1983. His career spans groundbreaking work in nuclear transplantation and cloning, and he co-founded the Gurdon Institute (formerly Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Institute for Cell Biology and Cancer) in 1989, serving as its Chair. Gurdon was previously a Professor of Cell Biology at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (1971-1983) and held positions at the University of Oxford (1962-1971) and Caltech (postdoctoral fellow). Research Interests : Gurdon's work focuses on nuclear reprogramming , developmental biology , and cloning , particularly how somatic cell nuclei can be reprogrammed by egg cytoplasm. His studies on Xenopus hybrids and histone variants like macroH2A have elucidated genetic and epigenetic factors that govern cellular differentiation and pluripotency. Recent publications highlight mechanisms of transcriptional reprogramming and epigenetic barriers in somatic cells. Scientific Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society (1971) William Bate Hardy Prize (1984) Royal Medal (1985) International Prize for Biology (1987) Wolf Prize in Medicine (1989) Knighted (1995) Edwin Grant Conklin Medal (2001) Institute renamed in his honor (2004) Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award (2009) Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (2012) Golden Plate Award (2017) Labs & Teams : Gurdon leads research at the Gurdon Institute , a multidisciplinary hub for cell and developmental biology. His work has influenced global stem cell research and regenerative medicine initiatives.
Jörg Menche holds a full Professor position (Univ.-Prof.) at the University of Vienna, with dual appointments in the Faculty of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, and Max Perutz Labs, Department of Structural and Computational Biology. His work bridges mathematical modeling and biomedical research through network-based approaches to complex disease mechanisms. Primary research interests include Network Biology, Computational Systems Medicine, and Immunometabolism, with specific focus on proteomic signatures in neuropathic pain, metabolic reprogramming in obesity, and autoimmunity networks. He develops innovative computational tools like VRNetzer for virtual reality network analysis and BioProfiling.jl for high-content imaging data integration, targeting intersections between metabolism, immunity, and environmental exposures. Recent publications (2019-2024) reveal a dominant trend in multi-omics network medicine, particularly in autoimmunity (AutoCore framework), cardiometabolic diseases, and rare genetic disorders. His work demonstrates exceptional translational impact, with multiple papers highlighted by news outlets and patents (e.g., 3 patents referencing 2021 research). While the text indicates involvement in one project (2016) and 13 activities, grant specifics and student mentoring details remain undisclosed. His collaborative network spans immunology, neuroscience, and toxicology, evidenced by co-authorships with clinical and computational teams. Menche operates within Max Perutz Labs, a premier molecular biology research center in Vienna. His team integrates computational biologists, cell biologists, and clinicians to develop network cartography methods for disease module identification, with strong emphasis on virtual reality interfaces and multi-omics validation.
Elke H. Heiß is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy . Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of natural products in cellular stress resistance, redox balance regulation, and metabolic immunomodulation. Key research areas include: AMPK-Nrf2 signaling crosstalk in cellular homeostasis Impact of biogenic compounds on glucose homeostasis and cellular bioenergetics Metabolic regulation of macrophage polarization Molecular pharmacology of indirubin derivatives in cardiovascular disease Current projects investigate: FWF Project P33778 (2021-2026): AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2 targets FWF Project P32600 (2019-2024): Metabolic immunomodulation by natural products FWF Project P29392 (2016-2019): AMPK-Nrf2 interactions in stress response Her work combines chemical biology approaches with metabolic profiling to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases and aging-related conditions.
Susana Chuva de Sousa Lopes is a leading scientist in developmental biology and stem cell research. Currently Professor at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) since 2019, she previously held Associate Professor and Assistant Professor positions there from 2011-2019. She also serves as Guest Professor at Ghent University Hospital's Department of Reproductive Medicine since 2013. Co-discoverer of Epiblast Stem Cells (EpiSC) Developed the KeyGenes machine learning webtool for stem cell differentiation analysis Board member of Stichting Biowetenschappen en Maatschappij (2021-present) Her research focuses on human gametogenesis and ovarian development, with groundbreaking work on the epithelialized epiblast (PICMI) intermediate during embryonic stem cell derivation. She has received prestigious awards including: ERC Consolidator Grant (2017) VICI award (2019) Two Aspasia awards (2006 and 2011) De Snoo-van't Hoogerhuijs Foundation awards Her lab pioneers single-cell analysis of human fetal/adult ovaries and develops artificial follicle systems for fertility preservation. She also explores in vitro gametogenesis and its applications in reproductive toxicology and contraception research.
Stefano Piccolo is a Full Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Padua's School of Medicine and a Principal Investigator at IFOM, The FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology. His research focuses on mechanotransduction, YAP/TAZ signaling, and cancer biology. He holds significant roles including Director of the PhD program in Molecular Medicine and membership in prestigious scientific advisory boards like EMBL and the AIRC Scientific Advisory Board. Education: PhD in Biology and Pathology of the Connective Tissue (University of Padua, 1995), HHMI postdoctoral fellowship under Eddy De Robertis at UC Berkeley (1995–1998). Research interests center on how mechanical forces regulate cell behavior and tissue architecture, particularly through YAP/TAZ. His lab explores applications in cancer, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. Awards include the ERC Advanced Grant (2015), Tartufari Award (2012), and the Presidential Venosta Cancer Award (2012). Over 20 patents highlight translational contributions in cancer therapy and stem cell technologies. Grants and roles include ERC Advanced Grant leadership and contributions to scientific policy through roles like Governing Board Member of Human Technopole Milan. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary team at IFOM and University of Padua, integrating molecular biology, material science, and omics approaches to study mechanobiology.
Susanne Zeilinger-Migsich is a Universitätsprofessorin (Full Professor) and Director of the Institute of Microbiology at the University of Innsbruck's Faculty of Biology. She leads the Molecular Mycology and Mycoparasitism research group, focusing on Trichoderma species as biocontrol agents against plant pathogens. Her work integrates molecular genetics, chemical ecology, and systems biology to dissect fungal interactions. Her research centers on molecular mycology with emphasis on: Mechanisms of mycoparasitism and fungal biocontrol Signal transduction in Trichoderma during host interaction Secondary metabolite biosynthesis (particularly 6-pentyl-α-pyrone) Fungal volatile organic compound communication Nutrient regulation and stress response pathways Current work leverages CRISPR-Cas9, metabolomics, and live-cell imaging to visualize molecular interactions in real-time. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong thematic continuity in Trichoderma molecular mechanisms, with increasing methodological sophistication in genome editing (CRISPR), real-time VOC analysis (PTR-MS), and spatial metabolomics (MALDI imaging). Key research threads include TOR and MAPK signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation of mycoparasitism, and light-dependent metabolic reprogramming. Scientific recognition includes: Associate Editor for Frontiers in Fungal Biology Editorial Board Member for Biocontrol Science and Technology Editorial Board Member for Pathogens journal Leadership of the DK Bio-Interactions doctoral program Member of Faculty Council for Biology Her group actively mentors PhD students (including Baldin, Pierson, Flatschacher) who lead projects on CRISPR applications, antioxidant systems, and nanoparticle biosynthesis. Major funded projects include WWTF's 'BIOGEN: from genes to biocontrol' and FWF's 'TRICHO-TOR: TOR kinase signaling in Trichoderma atroviride', reflecting strong institutional support for her research program. Public engagement includes frequent media appearances in Der Standard, ORF, and Tiroler Tageszeitung discussing fungal applications in agriculture and biotechnology.
Georg Winter, PhD, is an Adjunct Principal Investigator at CeMM (Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences) since 2016 and Life Science Director of AITHYRA, a new Research Institute for Biomedical AI (2025). His research bridges chemical biology with oncogenic gene regulation, focusing on targeted protein degradation (TPD) and proximity-inducing pharmacology. Affiliation: CeMM (2016–present), AITHYRA (2025–present) Academic Rank: Researcher (Principal Investigator) Winter's work challenges the paradigm that 80% of human proteins are 'undruggable' by reimagining small-molecule design. His group pioneered molecular glue degraders (MGDs) and heterobifunctional degraders (PROTACs), aiming to program biology beyond evolutionary constraints. Key areas include: Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Reprogramming Chemoproteomics and Artificial Intelligence Cancer Transcription Regulation DNA Damage Response His recent publications highlight advancements in dual-ligase recruitment, degrader prediction via AI, and Golgi-targeting strategies. Winter has received the Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award , Wilson S. Stone Memorial Award , and Elisabeth Lutz Award , among others. His group is supported by ERC Starting/Consolidator Grants, Cancer Grand Challenge, and the Mark Foundation Aspire Award. Students in his lab include predoctoral researchers exploring transcription rewiring, epigenetic modulation, and proteolytic logic. The lab collaborates with institutions like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Vienna, leveraging CRISPR/Cas9 screens and deep mutational scanning to map proteome interactions at single-amino-acid resolution.
Abdel Rahman Abdel Fattah is a Principal Investigator at CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria. He previously held a postdoctoral position at CeMM (2022–2024) and KU Leuven (Belgium) (2018–2022). Education: BSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University (Canada) Current Role: Lab Head at CeMM since 2024 Research Interests focus on multiscale mechanobiology, specifically how cells use mechanical forces and extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics to coordinate tissue organization. His group combines bioengineered mechanical stimulation tools with advanced imaging and computational models to study: Dynamic Cellular and ECM Interactions in health and disease Mechano-Transcriptomic Mapping using spatial transcriptomics and atomic force microscopy (AFM) Computational Modeling of tissue organization via reaction-diffusion systems and positional information theory Disease Applications: Traumatic brain/spinal cord injuries and liver fibrosis Publications highlight interdisciplinary work across mechanobiology, bioengineering, and vascular pathology, with a focus on magnetic actuation, organoid modeling, and ECM dynamics. Articles appear in Nature Communications , Cell Reports , and Lab on a Chip . Recent studies (2024–2025) explore force-mediated vascular lesion growth and transcriptional hallmarks of aging using single-cell analysis. Technological Innovations include: Magnetic Microactuators for local organoid stimulation 3D Soft Microfluidic Systems for perfused tissues Diamagnetophoresis-Based Bioprinting Single-Cell Transcriptomic Atlases for mechanical stress responders
Walter Jörn is a Full Professor and Chair of Genetics at Saarland University since 2000. He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPI-MG) and has held postdoctoral positions at the MPI-MG and Babraham Institute (UK). His research focuses on epigenetics, including DNA methylation, reprogramming mechanisms, and genomic imprinting. He pioneered technologies for epigenetic mapping and discovered global demethylation in mouse zygotes. As a leader in international consortia like IHEC and DEEP, he coordinates large-scale epigenomic initiatives. He serves on the DFG Life Sciences Panel and advises the German Ministry of Science. Educations: PhD (MPI-MG Berlin), postdocs at MPI-MG and Babraham Institute Research interests span epigenetic reprogramming, transgene silencing, and single-cell omics. He co-founded the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC) and led EU programs like BLUEPRINT and SYSCID. Awards include roles in national and international research advisory boards. Awards: German Research Council roles, Berlin Brandenburg Academy task force membership Coordinates DEEP and LifeTime initiatives, advancing epigenomic technologies and systems biology. Active in policy advising and interdisciplinary collaborations across Europe.
Mihai Netea is Professor of Experimental Medicine at the Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. A leading immunologist elected to the Academy of Europe in 2015, his work bridges infectious diseases, immunology, and metabolic regulation with over 525 PubMed-indexed publications and 16,000+ citations. His educational trajectory includes an MD from Cluj University, Romania (1987-1993), Dutch medical licensure (1994), PhD training at Radboud (1994-1998), and specialty certification in Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases (2000-2006). MD: University of Cluj, Romania (1987-1993) Dutch MD License: Radboud University (1994) PhD: Radboud University Medical Centre (1994-1998) Specialty Training: Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases (2000-2006) Netea's research revolutionized understanding of innate immunity through the discovery of 'trained immunity' – metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming of innate cells after pathogen exposure. His work spans cytokine networks in sepsis, genetic susceptibility to fungal infections (particularly Candida), and immunometabolic crosstalk in inflammatory diseases. Current investigations focus on how β-glucan exposure induces long-term epigenetic changes in monocytes and the role of mTOR/HIF1α pathways in immune memory. Analysis of his 525+ publications reveals dominant themes: trained immunity mechanisms (35%), fungal immunology (25%), genetic susceptibility to infections (20%), and immunometabolism (15%). His 2014 Science papers established the metabolic basis of trained immunity, while genome-wide studies identified key SNPs in candidemia susceptibility. Recent work explores evolutionary adaptations in immune genes and clinical applications for vaccine development. His scientific recognition includes: 16 major awards including Vidi (2005) and Vici (2010) Research Awards ERC Consolidator Grant (2012) and European Society for Clinical Investigation Award (2013) Member of the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Visiting Professorship at Cluj University, Romania Netea has mentored 8 PhD students (4 graduating Cum Laude) and secured €11.6M in major grants including ZonMW Vidi (€600K), Vici (€1.5M), ERC Consolidator (€1.5M), and CVON consortium funding (€8M) as co-coordinator. His laboratory pioneered methods for studying innate immune memory in human monocytes and developed translational models for fungal vaccine development. He leads the Experimental Medicine research group within Radboud's Department of Internal Medicine, collaborating with the Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (N4i). Current projects investigate trained immunity in sepsis survivors, metabolic reprogramming in autoimmune diseases, and evolutionary immunology of Toll-like receptors across human populations.
Sandra Siegert is a Professor in the Life Sciences Department at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). Her research focuses on understanding how microglia interact with neuronal networks in both healthy and diseased states, particularly in the context of neuropathological disorders. She integrates knowledge from virology, immunology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and applied mathematics to study microglia's role in brain maintenance and disease progression. Education Dr. phil. nat in Neurobiology from the University of Basel (2005-2010) Diploma in Biological Sciences from Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (2000-2005) Research Interests Dr. Siegert's work emphasizes microglia's response to environmental cues, their epigenetic regulation, and their contribution to neurological disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Key areas include: Microglia-neuron communication in retinal and cortical circuits Role of microRNAs (e.g., miR-137) in synaptic plasticity 60-Hz light entrainment effects on brain plasticity Applied topology for analyzing cellular networks Human iPSC-derived microglia modeling Publication Trends Her recent articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to studying microglia in retinal organoids, mitochondrial dynamics in stress response, and chimeric GPCR tools for modulating neuroimmune activity. Collaborative work spans gene therapy vectors (AAV2/6), synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia, and ketamine/light entrainment effects on perineuronal nets. Scientific Contributions EMBO short-term fellowship (2011) FWF Austrian Science Fund grant P 37131 (2023-2026) European Research Council grant 715571 (2017-2022) Human Frontiers Science Program grant (2012-2015) Multiple Swiss National Science Foundation grants (2011-2012)
