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Andreas VillungerView profile

Professor

• BCL2 family proteins in tissue homeostasis
• DNA damage response & checkpoint signaling
• Cell cycle – cell death cross-talk
• +5 more

Andreas Villunger is a Professor at the Medical University of Innsbruck, leading the Division of Developmental Immunology at the Biocenter. He joined CeMM as an Adjunct Principal Investigator in 2018 to develop PIDDosome inhibitors. His work bridges cell death signaling, DNA damage response, and cell cycle regulation in health and disease. Research Focus: Role of BH3-only proteins in lymphocyte transformation and cancer therapy Cell cycle-cell death crosstalk, particularly mitotic cell death and post-mitotic fate PIDDosome's role in p53 activation for centrosome abnormalities Polyploidization mechanisms in liver development and regeneration Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize centrosome surveillance, mitotic stress responses, and therapeutic targets in cancer. Key themes include apoptosis, genomic instability, and p53 regulation. Scientific Awards: FWF START Prize (2003) Advising & Grants: Funded by FWF International Programme and European Research Council (ERC). Mentors trainees including Predoctoral Fellows and Postdoctoral Fellows at CeMM and MedUni Innsbruck. Labs & Collaborations: Leads labs at both CeMM and MedUni Innsbruck Biocenter. Collaborates with teams at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Georg Winter Lab, and institutions in Austria and Australia.

Pirjo LaakkonenView profile

Professor

• Cancer Research
• Brain Tumors
• Glioblastoma
• +5 more

Pirjo Laakkonen serves as a Professor and Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science at the University of Helsinki, where she also directs the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) Infrastructure. With an extensive publication record spanning from 1990 to present, she has authored 96 publications including articles, patents, and book chapters. Her research focuses on medical biotechnology and life sciences with particular emphasis on brain tumor biology. Dr. Laakkonen's research interests center on cancer biology, specifically investigating brain tumors, glioblastoma mechanisms, and developing novel therapeutic approaches including antibody-drug conjugates. Her work has significant translational impact, as evidenced by media coverage of breakthroughs like discovering the "Achilles Heel" of glioblastoma and research showing how antihistamines might halt brain cancer in mice. Her laboratory work frequently involves molecular imaging techniques and preclinical cancer models. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on understanding tumor resistance mechanisms, developing novel imaging techniques for brain tumors, and creating targeted cancer therapeutics. The research shows particular expertise in blood-brain barrier penetration strategies and the tumor microenvironment. Best presentation and poster award: Discovery of Novel Biomarkers and Target Molecules (2009) The Best Poster Award: Brain tumor imaging using a novel peptide targeting malignant brain tumors and its receptor MDGI (2009) The Best Poster Award: Reactivation of the p53 pathway as a novel treatment modality for KSHV-induced lymphomas (2008) As an academic leader, Dr. Laakkonen has supervised numerous theses, served as a dissertation supervisor and pre-examiner, and directed the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science. She leads two major research projects including the NAVIGATOR project funded by Business Finland and a cancer foundation-funded study on astrocyte transformation. Her laboratory work utilizes the Laboratory Animal Center infrastructure which she directs. Dr. Laakkonen maintains an active research profile with significant media engagement, having been featured in 16 media appearances including coverage in Daily Health News Bulletin and reports on major breakthroughs in brain cancer treatment.

Sitaram RajaramanView profile

Researcher

• Plant Biology
• Microbiology
• Virology
• +5 more

Sitaram Rajaraman is a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Doctoral Programme in Plant Sciences. His work spans plant biology, microbiology, and evolutionary genomics, focusing on host-pathogen interactions, postharvest deterioration, and polyploid evolution. 2017 recipient of Global Warming and Boreal Forest Research Award Active participant in the Novo Nordisk Fonden-funded project (2022-2027) Presented 5 times at international conferences including Plant and Animal Genomes Conference Research integrates molecular biology with ecological and agricultural applications. Current interests include: Molecular mechanisms of Taphrina infections in Arabidopsis Postharvest physiology of fresh-cut lettuce Betulin biosynthesis in fungal species Allopolyploid origins of endemic plant species Genomic history of Coffea arabica cultivars Publications (2017-2025) demonstrate expertise in transcriptomics, plant-pathogen co-evolution, and crop genomics. Key collaborations include researchers at the University of Helsinki and international coffee genomics consortia.

• Genetics
• Reproductive Biology
• Ichthyology
• +4 more

Dorota Juchno is a Promoter in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Her research focuses on genetic and environmental determinants of clonal and sexual reproduction in natural triploid females of Cobitis (Pisces, Teleostei). She has an ORCID number (0000-0002-7663-649X) and is reachable at juchno@uwm.edu.pl. University: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn School: Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology Department: Department of Zoology Academic Rank: Researcher Juchno’s research spans genetics, reproductive biology, and cytogenetics of polyploid fish, particularly within the Cobitis hybrid complex. Her work investigates chromosomal inheritance, hybridogenesis, and the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in reproductive strategies. Recent publications highlight her focus on ploidy-dependent survival, rDNA distribution patterns, and hormonal regulation in hybrid fish. She utilizes techniques like FISH to analyze genomic contributions and employs comparative studies across diploid and polyploid populations to understand evolutionary mechanisms.

Hao ZhuView profile

Professor

• Liver Regeneration
• Cancer Biology
• Somatic Mosaicism
• +3 more

Hao Zhu is a Professor at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He serves as the Director of CRI's Tissue Regeneration Program and is a co-leader of the Development and Cancer Research Program in the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a medical oncologist, he treats hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Dr. Zhu holds the Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Distinguished Chair in Therapeutic Oncology Research. Children's Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern Medical Center Director, Tissue Regeneration Program Co-leader, Development and Cancer Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Medical Oncologist, Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital Dr. Zhu's research focuses on understanding how injury, regeneration, and wound healing influence organ function and cancer formation, using the liver as a model system. His laboratory believes that understanding somatic mosaicism is key to unraveling the complexities of wound healing. He employs human genomic approaches, in vivo genetic screening, and lineage tracing to investigate the functional implications of somatic mosaicism in chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Analysis of Dr. Zhu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on somatic mutations in liver disease, clonal expansion, and the relationship between regeneration and cancer. His work spans multiple disciplines including genetics, hepatology, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on understanding how genetic alterations in non-cancerous liver tissue can influence disease progression and cancer development. Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists (2012) CPRIT Scholar Award (2012) Stand Up To Cancer Innovative Research Grant (2016) Mark Foundation Emerging Leader Award (2021) Dr. Zhu has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His lab has received significant funding through various grants, including the CPRIT Scholar Award and Stand Up To Cancer grant. Current research in the Zhu Lab focuses on identifying the cellular sources of liver regeneration and cancer, understanding somatic mutations in liver disease, and exploring the relationship between regenerative capacity and cancer development. Dr. Zhu leads the Zhu Lab, which consists of multiple researchers including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research technicians. The lab collaborates with various institutions and has established itself as a leader in the field of liver regeneration and cancer biology.

Jinsong LiuView profile

Professor

• Cancer Research
• Oncology
• Pathology
• +5 more

Dr. Jinsong Liu serves as Professor with Tenure in the Department of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine and holds a joint appointment as Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Since 1999, he has been an integral member of MD Anderson's world-renowned gynecologic diagnostic pathology team, providing critical expertise in the multidisciplinary management of gynecologic cancers. His research program centers on ovarian cancer biology, with over 250 publications documenting key discoveries including the first genetically defined model of transformed human ovarian epithelial cells, elucidation of epithelial-stromal interactions in tumor progression, and the groundbreaking finding that polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) dedifferentiate into cancer stem cells via a novel giant cell cycle mechanism. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation through patient-derived models. Dr. Liu directs the ovarian cancer PDX core resource maintaining over 40 patient-derived xenograft models and developing corresponding organoids. He leads an NIH R01 grant and CPRIT-funded projects while serving as co-PI of the tissue pathology core for MD Anderson's SPORE in ovarian cancer. With 18 years of research leadership, his program focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting PGCC mechanisms in ovarian cancer.

• Chromosome biology
• Cytogenetics
• Plant genetics
• +5 more

Dr. Veit Schubert is a Senior Scientist at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany, with continuous employment since March 2002. Holding the academic qualification PD Dr. habil., he operates as a research-focused academic within Germany's premier plant genomics institute. His research spans chromosome biology , centromere dynamics , holocentric systems , and duckweed genomics , utilizing advanced cytogenetic techniques to study chromosome segregation, heterochromatin organization, and meiotic mechanisms. Recent work reveals evolutionary transitions between mono- and holocentric chromosomes through satellite DNA analysis. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) shows dominant focus on centromere evolution (6 articles), duckweed genomics (5 articles), and meiotic mechanisms (4 articles), with methodologies emphasizing super-resolution microscopy, genome assembly, and epigenetic profiling. Scientific contributions include: Discovery of repeat-based holocentromeres in woodrush ( Luzula sylvatica ) Mechanistic insights into KNL2 regulation in centromere integrity Characterization of triploid hybridization in duckweed complexes Evolutionary models for holocentric chromosome emergence Dr. Schubert maintains active international collaborations across Europe and North America, with frequent co-authorships indicating strong grant support. His work bridges fundamental chromosome biology with practical applications in plant genome evolution and stability.

• Forest Genetics
• Tree Domestication
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +4 more

Erik Dahl Kjær serves as Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on forest genetics and climate adaptation, leading the Forest Genetics and Diversity research group studying over 25 European tree species including Quercus, Fraxinus, Tilia, and Pinus . He manages the Hørsholm Arboretum (Denmark's national arboretum with 1,500+ woody species) and maintains international collaborations with West Africa and India on tropical species. His research interests integrate genomic techniques with dendroecology to address climate challenges. Key areas include genetically sustainable forest management , microbiome interactions in tree health , and adaptive capacity of native species like Danish oak. Recent work examines ash dieback tolerance mechanisms and polyploid advantages in stress environments. Publication trends show strong emphasis on genomic applications for conservation (2025 articles dominate output), with significant focus on European forest genetic resources and microbiome-mediated adaptation. His work bridges fundamental genetics with practical forestry guidelines for climate-resilient management. Professional activities include committee leadership in Danish forest reproductive material governance and international research assessment roles. His teaching encompasses all academic levels (BSc to postdoc) with deputy head responsibilities for departmental teaching. Fieldwork spans European common garden trials, tropical species studies in West Africa, and three-decade teak research in India. Current major projects address oak adaptation to warmer/drier conditions and ash forest recovery strategies following pathogen outbreaks.

• Plant Genetics
• Genomics
• Systematic Botany
• +2 more

Dr. Nomar Espinosa Waminal is a plant genomics researcher affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences, specializing in systematic botany and polyploid evolution. His work focuses on Mediterranean and Balkan flora, particularly Crocus taxonomy and Brassicaceae genome dynamics. His research spans Genome architecture in polyploid complexes Chromosome evolution through dysploidy Molecular authentication of medicinal plants Karyotype analysis using cytogenetic techniques Recent publication trends (2019-2025) show increasing emphasis on computational genomics, with 60% of articles featuring bioinformatic analyses of whole-genome duplications and repeat elements. His work bridges classical cytology with modern sequencing approaches. Collaborative networks include Albanian botanists (Shuka brothers) German genomics experts (Harpke, Blattner) Korean agricultural researchers (Kim, Huh) Current research directions involve pan-genome analysis of Crocus species and developing molecular tools for conservation of endemic Balkan flora.

• Cytogenetics
• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Moshe Feldman is a Professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science, affiliated with the Plant Genetic Department. He previously served as head of both the Plant Genetic Department and the Wheat Center at the same institution, demonstrating leadership in plant genetics research. His research program centers on cytogenetic, genomic, and evolutionary mechanisms in wheat and its wild relatives. Key investigations include: Genetic variability mechanisms in wheat species Genes controlling meiotic pairing in wheat hybrids Genetic and epigenetic changes induced by chromosome doubling in polyploids Applied exploitation of wild gene resources for wheat improvement Prof. Feldman discovered a new wild wheat species during field research, naming it after his mentor Earnie Sears. His work bridges fundamental evolutionary biology with practical agricultural applications through the Wheat Center, which serves as the operational hub for his research group focusing on wheat genetics and breeding innovations.

Craig WoodardView profile

Professor

• Steroid Hormone Signaling
• Animal Development
• Gene Expression
• +3 more

Craig Woodard serves as the Christianna Smith Professor of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke College, where he directs the "Fly Room" laboratory focused on Drosophila melanogaster research. His work examines steroid hormone regulation of animal development and metamorphosis. Woodard holds a Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.S. from Yale University and a B.S. from Bates College. His research program investigates how genes control developmental transitions, with implications for understanding human health through model organism studies. His primary research interests center on steroid hormone signaling pathways , gene expression during metamorphosis , and Drosophila developmental genetics . Through meticulous analysis of larval-to-adult transitions, his lab identifies conserved molecular mechanisms governing animal development. Recent publications reveal trends in Drosophila metabolism , hybrid embryo viability , and neurodegenerative modeling , demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches spanning molecular genetics, physiology, and evolutionary biology. His work consistently employs Drosophila as a model for fundamental biological processes. Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Woodard actively mentors undergraduate researchers in his laboratory and has served as Faculty Mentor for the Beckman Scholars Program. His research has secured continuous funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and the George I. Alden Trust. He emphasizes hands-on research training within his "Fly Room" laboratory environment. The laboratory maintains active Drosophila breeding colonies for metamorphosis studies and collaborates with campus microscopy facilities supported by NSF instrumentation grants. Current projects investigate metabolic influences on development and conserved genetic pathways in model organisms.

Isla P. GarrawayView profile

Professor

• Prostate cancer
• Urologic Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Isla P. Garraway is a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She serves as an Attending Urologist at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System and is a Member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. As a surgeon-scientist, Dr. Garraway leads a basic/translational science laboratory focused on characterizing molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental interactions associated with metastatic prostate cancer. Her research interests include prostate stem cells and development, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the prostate, functional biomarkers of prostate cancer progression and metastasis, prostate cancer health disparities, prostate cancer biorepositories, multi-omic platform analysis of lethal prostate cancer, digital image analysis applications in prostate cancer, and single cell sequencing of prostate tumor populations. Dr. Garraway's work particularly emphasizes understanding the etiologies of racial/ethnic disparities in prostate cancer. Dr. Garraway's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on prostate cancer genomics, tumor heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance mechanisms, and health disparities research. Her work spans basic molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer progression to clinical implementation of precision oncology approaches, particularly within veteran populations. She has led significant efforts in prostate cancer screening guidelines for Black men and research on metastatic progression mechanisms. Donald S. Coffey Career Development Award from Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award from Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award from Prostate Cancer Foundation Super Doctors® Southern California, 2022-2025 2018 Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctors American Society of Clinical Investigators Outstanding Research Award 2004 Dr. Garraway has secured substantial research funding from the National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense, Veterans Health Administration, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Jean Perkins Foundation. Her leadership extends to directing research efforts in the Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate and ensuring equity within the Veterans Health Administration's role in the presidential Cancer Moonshot initiative. She also actively engages in community education about prostate cancer and early detection.

• Plant Genetics
• Chromosome Biology
• Meiosis
• +3 more

Ewa Weronika Piskorz is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany, working in the Meiosis Laboratory under the Independent Research Groups Department. She completed her Dr rer. nat. at IPK in 2022 after doctoral research in the Applied Chromosome Biology Laboratory. Her academic background includes: Dr rer. nat. in Applied Chromosome Biology (IPK, 2018-2022) BSc and MSc in Biotechnology (University of Wrocław, 2012-2017) Erasmus intern in Biomedical Science (University of Sheffield, 2017-2018) Erasmus student in Molecular Cell Biology (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 2015) Dr. Piskorz's research centers on plant chromosome dynamics during meiosis, specializing in epigenetic mechanisms and gamete formation in Arabidopsis thaliana . Her work integrates cytological analysis with molecular genetics to investigate polyploidy induction pathways and chromosome behavior, contributing to fundamental understanding of plant reproduction and breeding techniques. Current projects examine meiocyte size regulation and DNA methylation patterns during double-haploid induction. Her 2022 publications reveal critical links between cellular morphology and genetic outcomes in plant reproduction, establishing new frameworks for epigenetic variation analysis during haploidization. These studies demonstrate how cytological parameters directly influence chromosomal stability and epigenetic reprogramming in model systems. She actively contributes to the Meiosis Laboratory's research program at IPK, utilizing advanced cytogenetic and molecular techniques to dissect meiotic mechanisms with implications for crop improvement strategies.