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Ulrich ZachariaeView profile

Professor

• Computational Biophysics
• Molecular Biophysics
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• +7 more

Professor Ulrich Zachariae is a Professor of Molecular Biophysics at the University of Dundee , affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and the Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery department. He obtained his PhD in 2004 from the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry and held postdoctoral roles at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry before transitioning to industry at AstraZeneca. His research focuses on membrane protein function , particularly ion channels and cell surface receptors , and employs computational methods such as molecular simulations and data-driven approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance . Recent work includes elucidating ion selectivity mechanisms, improving antibiotic bioavailability, and developing tools like State-Specific Information (SSI) to analyze protein-water dynamics. Key trends in his publications span biomolecular simulations , computational drug discovery , and structural biology , with a strong emphasis on ion channels and GPCRs in 2025, antimicrobial resistance in 2024, and foundational work on K+ channels in 2018. Professor Zachariae leads the MSc in Biological Data Science program and contributes to teaching modules in Biomolecular Structure and Interactions . His collaborations include institutions like St Andrews University and Trinity College Dublin , with funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) .

Stephen E. AsmusView profile

Professor

• Developmental Neurobiology
• Neuroscience
• Neurotransmitter Specification
• +5 more

Stephen E. Asmus is the H.W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Professor of Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Centre College, where he has been a faculty member since 1996. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral training in Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University. Education: BS, Cleveland State University PhD, University of Michigan Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University Dr. Asmus specializes in developmental neurobiology, focusing on how neurons determine and potentially change their neurotransmitter identity during development. His research combines cell staining and microscopy to study neurotransmitter expression in sympathetic and cortical neurons. More recently, he has expanded into pedagogical research, exploring innovative methods in biochemistry and molecular biology education. His recent publications reflect a dual focus: neuroscience research on neurotransmitter plasticity and educational scholarship on active learning, student-driven labs, and the use of primary literature. These works demonstrate sustained engagement with both scientific discovery and teaching excellence. Scientific Awards: Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching (2001, 2016) Centre Scholar (2002, 2011) Dr. Asmus has secured research funding from the National Institutes of Health and regularly collaborates with undergraduate students on both research and educational publications. He mentors students in laboratory research and co-authors scholarly articles with them, fostering early scientific development. His work bridges fundamental neuroscience and transformative teaching practices. He is actively involved in the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Biology programs, contributing to curriculum development and student research initiatives. His lab emphasizes hands-on microscopy and cellular analysis techniques, providing students with authentic research experiences.

• Genomics
• Non-coding RNA research
• Phenotype-genotype relationships
• +7 more

Professor Marcel Dinger is a prominent academic and researcher currently serving as Professor and Head of School for Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at UNSW Sydney. With over 20 years of experience in genomics, he has established himself as a leading figure in both academic and entrepreneurial spheres within the field. He has published 153 papers with over 24,000 citations and maintains an h-index of 61 on Google Scholar. His leadership extends beyond academia as he serves as President of the Australasian Genomics Technologies Association (AGTA) and holds director positions at Pryzm Health and the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG). Professor Dinger's research laboratory focuses on establishing new links between phenotype and genotype, particularly examining rare and complex diseases in relation to underexplored regions of the genome including pseudogenes, repetitive elements, non-canonical DNA structures, and noncoding RNAs. His work harnesses population-scale genomic datasets and sophisticated data science methods to bring an objective perspective to understanding how the genome stores information and how it is transacted in biology. His research interests span genomics, non-coding RNA biology, clinical applications of genomic medicine, and the development of computational approaches for analyzing complex genomic data. Analysis of Professor Dinger's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on non-coding RNA research, particularly long noncoding RNAs and their roles in disease mechanisms. His work spans cancer genomics, neurological disorders, and fundamental genomic mechanisms including DNA secondary structures like i-motifs and G-quadruplexes. His research combines experimental approaches with advanced bioinformatics to address fundamental questions in genomic medicine and has significant translational implications for disease diagnosis and treatment. Highly Cited Researcher in Cross-Field category (2019, 2020, 2021) Fellow of the Faculty of Science (Research), Royal Society of Pathologists of Australasia (2016) NHMRC Career Development Award (2010) Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowship (2009) Foundation of Research, Science and Technology New Zealand Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005) Professor Dinger has been instrumental in establishing and leading several significant research initiatives including Genome.One, one of the first companies globally to provide clinical whole genome sequencing services, and the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. His entrepreneurial experience includes founding four biotechnology and IT startups. He serves on multiple governance boards including the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, focusing on using genomics to improve health outcomes for Australia's First Peoples. His laboratory at UNSW continues to advance our understanding of genomic regulation and its implications for human health and disease.

Thomas B BartnikasView profile

Associate Professor

• Metal Homeostasis
• Iron Metabolism
• Manganese Metabolism
• +3 more

Thomas B Bartnikas is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University and Director of the MD/PhD Program. His research focuses on metal homeostasis in human biology, particularly iron and manganese regulation in health and disease. Education: PhD in Molecular Cell Biology (Washington University in St. Louis, 2004) MD (Washington University in St. Louis, 2004) BA (Cornell University, 1996) Dr. Bartnikas investigates molecular mechanisms of metal absorption, distribution, and elimination using mouse and cell culture models. His work connects genetic mutations, dietary imbalances, and environmental exposures to metal-related disorders like hemochromatosis. Recent publications emphasize hepcidin regulation, divalent metal transport, and metal toxicity pathways. Scientific contributions include: NIH-funded research on iron and manganese homeostasis Development of novel animal models for metal disorders Key discoveries in transferrin and BMP signaling interactions He received the NIDDK K99/R00 DK084122 award and collaborates with international BioIron researchers. Dr. Bartnikas teaches BIOL 2860 - Molecular Mechanisms of Disease and contributes to biomedical science education through the MD/PhD program.

Ilya LeventalView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Molecular Physiology
• +4 more

Ilya Levental is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine , where he leads the Levental Laboratory of Membrane Biology . His research investigates how membranes and dietary lipids regulate cell physiology , with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets for human diseases. Education: BS in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology PhD in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral Fellowship, Max Planck Institute for Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany Research Interests: Levental's work focuses on the composition, biophysics, and physiology of cellular membranes . His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular and cell biology, membrane biophysics, protein biochemistry, and synthetic biology . Key areas include lipid rafts, membrane domain stability, protein-lipid interactions, and dietary lipid impacts on membrane function . Notable projects explore membrane phase behaviors in HIV entry, lipid asymmetry effects, and membrane regulation of signal transduction . Publication Trends: Articles span biophysics, cell biology, and lipid biology , with a focus on membrane domain partitioning, cholesterol dynamics, and phase separation in disease . Collaborations with institutions like Karolinska Institute, University of Michigan, and UT Health Science Center highlight the interdisciplinary nature of his work. Labs and Collaborations: The Levental Lab moved to the University of Virginia and is affiliated with the Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology . Current projects involve partnerships with researchers in Sweden, Germany, and the United States , utilizing computational modeling, cryo-EM, and synthetic biology to study membrane organization.

Rainer HeintzmannView profile

Professor

• Super-resolution microscopy
• Optical microscopy
• Point spread function calculation
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Rainer Heintzmann serves as Head of the Microscopy Department at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT) in Jena, Germany. His research focuses on advancing optical microscopy techniques, particularly super-resolution methods that surpass the diffraction limit to visualize cellular structures at nanoscale resolution. His primary research interests center on structured illumination microscopy (SIM), point spread function modeling, and computational imaging techniques. He has made significant contributions to developing automated multicolor SIM systems, extreme ultraviolet microscopy approaches, and deep learning-enhanced image analysis methods. His work bridges optical physics, computational algorithms, and biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on making advanced microscopy techniques more accessible through open-source hardware and software solutions. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on overcoming fundamental limitations in optical microscopy. His research spans from theoretical modeling of optical systems to practical implementations for biological imaging. Key trends include the development of more accurate point spread function calculations, expansion of super-resolution techniques to new wavelength regimes, and integration of machine learning for image analysis and segmentation. Prof. Heintzmann actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, as evidenced by his co-authorship on numerous interdisciplinary publications. His work has appeared in high-impact journals including Nature Methods, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, and Optics Express, reflecting the significance of his contributions to advancing microscopy techniques. His laboratory at Leibniz-IPHT appears to focus on developing novel microscopy instrumentation, particularly open-source implementations of super-resolution techniques. Recent projects include the openSIMMO platform for automated multicolor structured illumination microscopy and work on extreme ultraviolet microscopy that could potentially extend super-resolution capabilities into the X-ray regime.

Antonella Di PizioView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Chemistry
• Molecular Modeling
• GPCR Research
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Antonella Di Pizio (born 1984) is an Associate Professor for Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling at the Department of Molecular Life Sciences within the TUM School of Life Sciences at the Technical University of Munich. Since 2018, she has led the Molecular Modeling group at the Leibniz Institute of Food Systems Biology at TUM in Freising, Germany. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Chieti, Italy (2012), followed by research at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany, and a postdoc position at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Prof. Di Pizio's research focuses on computational approaches to understanding chemosensory G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly taste and smell receptors. Her work combines molecular modeling, chemoinformatics, and structural bioinformatics to investigate the molecular basis of ligand recognition and activation mechanisms. Her group develops predictive models for screening and designing bioactive compounds relevant to food reformulation and therapeutic applications. Analysis of Prof. Di Pizio's publication record reveals a strong focus on bitter taste receptors, particularly TAS2R family members, and odorant receptors. Her research spans computational modeling of receptor-ligand interactions, development of predictive algorithms for taste compound identification, and investigation of the structural basis of chemosensory perception. Recent work demonstrates increasing integration of machine learning approaches with traditional molecular modeling techniques. Scientific Recognition: Leibniz Best Minds Programme for Women Professors (2022) Platinum Manfred Rothe Excellence Award in Flavor Research (2019) Bernardo Nobile doctorate award VIII Edition (2013) Keystone Symposia Future of Science Fund Fellowship (2017) Prof. Di Pizio serves on the editorial board of Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences and is a Working Group Leader and Management Committee member of the ERNEST Cost Action CA18133. She teaches courses including 'Modeling and simulations of Biological Macromolecules' and 'Drug and Protein Design' at TUM. Her Molecular Modeling group collaborates extensively with other research groups at the Leibniz-LSB@TUM on interdisciplinary projects focused on food systems biology. The Molecular Modeling group, established relatively recently at the institute, investigates food-relevant molecules and their interactions using computational tools including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, pharmacophore modeling, QSAR, machine learning, and virtual screening. Their work aims to develop next-generation methodologies for food design that address current challenges in the food system.

Steve JacksonView profile

Professor

• DNA damage response
• Genome stability
• DNA repair
• +3 more

Steve Jackson is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, where he leads the Jackson Group focused on DNA damage response research. His work is affiliated with the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, reflecting the translational nature of his investigations into genome stability mechanisms. Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute Leader of the Jackson Research Group Professor Jackson's research centers on understanding how cells detect and repair DNA damage, particularly double-strand breaks. His work examines the structure and function of DNA damage response (DDR) proteins, how chromatin structure and cell cycle status affect DDR events, and the application of gene editing and whole genome sequencing to identify potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. His research has significant implications for understanding cancer development, neurodegenerative diseases, and premature aging. Analysis of Jackson's publication record reveals consistent focus on DNA repair mechanisms, with recent work (2018-2019) emphasizing chromatin dynamics in DNA damage response, BRCA1-related repair pathways, and connections between DNA damage and aging. His research bridges fundamental molecular biology with clinical applications, particularly in cancer therapeutics. Professor Jackson actively mentors the next generation of scientists, with his group accepting interns, undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. While specific grant details aren't provided in the text, his affiliation with Cancer Research UK suggests significant research funding supporting his work. The Jackson Group maintains a dedicated research facility focused on genome stability research, utilizing advanced techniques including gene editing and whole genome sequencing to investigate DNA damage response mechanisms and their relationship to human disease.

Graham ChristieView profile

Associate Professor

• Bacterial Spore Biology
• Structural Biology
• Protein Crystallography
• +2 more

Graham Christie serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. His research is centered on bacterial spore biology, with particular expertise in spore structure, germination mechanisms, and structural biology approaches including protein crystallography. Christie collaborates with Professor Ian Wilson and Professor Lisa Hall within the Cambridge research ecosystem. Christie's research interests focus on bacterial spore structure and germination , structural biology (protein crystallography) , and coronavirus testing and inactivation . His work bridges fundamental microbiology with practical applications in biotechnology and public health. He has made significant contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms of spore resistance and germination in Bacillus species, with implications for food safety, decontamination protocols, and antimicrobial development. Analysis of Christie's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on bacterial spore biology, particularly examining cortex lytic enzymes, germination triggers, and spore resistance mechanisms in Bacillus species. His research spans structural biology, molecular microbiology, and applied biotechnology, with increasing attention to antimicrobial applications and environmental microbiology. The publications demonstrate sophisticated integration of biochemical, genetic, and structural approaches to address fundamental questions in spore biology. Christie actively supervises PhD students and contributes to graduate education in chemical engineering and biotechnology at Cambridge. His research program appears to be well-funded through multiple projects examining spore biology from structural, functional, and applied perspectives. His work on holographic sensors for spore detection indicates translational research efforts with potential commercial applications. Christie maintains laboratory facilities within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with research groups focused on spore structure-function relationships, protein engineering related to spore biology, and antimicrobial applications derived from spore research. His work on coronavirus testing suggests adaptation of spore-related technologies to address pandemic challenges.

Sabine BegallView profile

Researcher

• Subterranean Mammals
• Animal Behavior
• Sensory Ecology
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Sabine Begall is a Researcher at the Department of General Zoology , Faculty of Biology , University of Duisburg-Essen. With over 25 years of experience, she focuses on the sensory ecology of subterranean mammals, particularly Fukomys anselli , exploring magnetoreception , acoustic communication , visual adaptations , and physiological responses to underground environments . Key Research Areas: Subterranean mammal sensory ecology Thyroid hormone regulation in aging Magnetic field orientation mechanisms Comparative auditory and visual systems Domestication syndrome in rodents Evolutionary adaptations in burrowing species Recent Article Trends: 2025 study on retinal ganglion cell diversity in microphthalmic mammals 2024 thyroid hormone and hypoxia research in mole-rats 2023 comparative analyses of burrow acoustics and dental structures Scientific Awards: Honor for outstanding dissertation (2001), University of Essen Fritz Frank Prize (2001), German Society for Mammalogy She serves as a reviewer for journals including Journal of Morphology , Animal Behaviour , and Scientific Reports , and has contributed to major publications on subterranean rodent ecology.

Christos OuzounisView profile

Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Digital Biology
• Biological Computation
• +5 more

Christos Ouzounis is a Professor of Bioinformatics at the Department of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , with a career spanning institutions including the European Bioinformatics Institute , King's College London , and University of Toronto . His work bridges Computational Biology , Digital Biology , and Metagenomics , focusing on large-scale data analysis, machine learning applications, and functional annotation of proteins. Education : BSc in Biological Sciences (1986), MSc in Biological Computation (1987), and DPhil in Computational Chemistry (1993) Key Roles : Director of the Bioinformatics Centre at King's College London (2007-2010), Research Director at IDEP-EKETA (2014-2020) His research interests include low-complexity protein sequences , Covid-19 seasonality patterns linked to UV radiation, and metagenomic analysis of urban microbiomes in cultural heritage sites. Current projects involve machine learning models for microbial coexistence networks, ontological classification of biomedical literature, and bioinformatics tool development . Publications highlight trends in archaeal genomics , functional dark matter in metagenomics, and epidemiological modelling . Notable collaborations include work on BioTextQuest v2.0 for concept discovery and MjCyc for metabolic pathway analysis.

Sara K. OlsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +8 more

Sara K. Olson is an Associate Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology at Pomona College, part of The Claremont Colleges. She has been at Pomona since 2012 and is based in Seaver Biology, where she leads a research lab focused on extracellular matrix dynamics during fertilization and early embryonic development in C. elegans . Her research explores the assembly and function of the nematode eggshell, using fluorescence microscopy, molecular genetics (including CRISPR), and biochemical approaches. A major goal is to identify evolutionarily conserved versus divergent mechanisms of eggshell formation, with implications for understanding basic developmental biology and targeting parasitic nematodes. Olson's scientific work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Research Corporation, and the Beckman Foundation. She has led or co-led several major grants, including an NSF CAREER Award and the Beckman Scholars Program. She is also deeply committed to inclusive pedagogy and undergraduate research, frequently involving students in authentic research experiences (CURE-based labs) and co-authoring publications with them. Her recent publications highlight a consistent focus on eggshell permeability, cortical granule exocytosis, proteoglycans, and glycan biology in C. elegans , with increasing integration of CRISPR and educational applications. The research demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach combining cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Wig Award for Teaching Excellence 7C Faculty Diversity Award for Teaching National Academies Education Fellow NIH IRACDA Postdoctoral Training Award Phi Beta Kappa She advises numerous undergraduate researchers and has mentored multiple students who have co-authored her publications. Her lab operates at the intersection of basic science and science education, promoting accessibility and diversity in STEM. She is also active in national efforts to bring CRISPR technology into undergraduate classrooms through networked teaching initiatives.

Yan JieView profile

Professor

• Biophysics
• Molecular Biology
• Mechanobiology
• +3 more

Professor Yan Jie is a distinguished academic at the National University of Singapore, holding faculty positions at the Mechanobiology Institute and the Department of Physics. He also maintains an affiliation with the Centre for BioImaging Sciences under the Department of Biological Sciences. Professor, Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), NUS Professor, Department of Physics, NUS Professor, Centre for BioImaging Sciences, NUS Dr. Yan's research lies at the intersection of biophysics, molecular biology, and mechanobiology. His work focuses on understanding how mechanical constraints influence biomolecular stability, including: Force-dependent conformations and interactions of nucleic acids and proteins Mechanosensing at cell-ECM adhesion and cell-cell junctions Chaperone-mediated protein folding mechanisms Chromosome packaging and DNA damage repair dynamics His recent publications highlight advancements in: Mechanical stabilization of biomolecular complexes via energy landscape modeling Multi-domain interactions in cytoskeletal proteins Force-transducing mechanisms in bacterial membranes Calcium signaling in stem cell mechanical properties Dr. Yan has mentored a diverse team including PhD students Kayo Kumadaki, Lin Yueying, Guo Yanyu, Sun Yuze, Liu Jingzhun, Dasvit Shetty, and former student Pang Si Ming. His lab integrates single-molecule biophysical methods with theoretical modeling to explore mechanical regulation at the molecular and cellular level.

Rachelle CrosbieView profile

Professor

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Protein biochemistry
• Muscle physiology
• +5 more

Rachelle Crosbie is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in Integrative Biology and Physiology. Her research focuses on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), sarcospan, and extracellular matrix interactions in muscle health and disease. She earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University (1989) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from UCLA (1994). Postdoctoral work was conducted at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Her lab investigates sarcospan's role in ameliorating dystrophic muscle by activating compensatory mechanisms. Research includes developing small molecule therapies, in vitro platforms for fibrosis studies, and multi-omics approaches to cytoskeletal remodeling. She leads an NIH T32 training grant for muscle research. Scientific awards include the UCLA Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Coalition Duchenne Lotus Award, and National Academies Education Scholar recognition. She developed an online DMD course for UC campuses and contributed to education research on student engagement in asynchronous learning.

Hendrik DietzView profile

Professor

• DNA Origami
• Molecular Nanotechnology
• Structural Biology
• +5 more

Professor Hendrik Dietz holds the Chair of Biomolecular Nanotechnology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , affiliated with the TUM School of Natural Sciences and the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence . His research focuses on constructing synthetic molecular devices and machines through DNA origami and self-assembly principles. Research Themes DNA origami for programmable nanodevices Self-assembly inspired by natural molecular systems Molecular visualization with cryo-EM Applications in medicine and synthetic biology Key Article Trends : Dietz's work explores DNA-based rotary motors, virus-trapping shells, and bio-inspired vesicle production. His recent articles highlight integrations of DNA origami with electrochemical sensing, deep learning, and transmembrane transport systems. Scientific Awards ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2015) Hoechst Lecturer Scholarship (2012) Arnold Sommerfeld Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant (2010) Collaborations and Grants : He receives funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) via the Excellence Clusters CIPSM and NIM, SFB863, and the Leibniz Prize program, as well as the European Research Council. Dietz collaborates with institutions like Harvard Medical School and the Max Planck School Matter to Life.