Kunihiko Kaneko is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, with a distinguished career in theoretical biophysics and complex systems. He received his PhD and MSc in Physics from the University of Tokyo, and has held leadership roles at the Universal Biology Institute and Center for Complex Systems Biology. PhD Physics, 1984 - University of Tokyo MSc Physics, 1981 - University of Tokyo His research spans five primary areas: Universal Biology, Evolutionary Constraints, Ecosystem Dynamics, Neural Cognition, and Universal Anthropology. He has published extensively on multi-level consistency principles, dimensional reduction in biological systems, and reciprocity between robustness and plasticity across scales. Recent publications show strong focus on microbial ecosystems (2025), evolutionary game theory (2025), neural modular architectures (2024), and dimensional reduction in cellular systems (2024). His work bridges physics and biology through dynamical systems theory applied to diverse phenomena from protocells to human societies.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Walther is a Professor of Macromolecular Materials and Systems at the Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. He is also a Research Fellow at the Gutenberg Research College and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. His research focuses on adaptive, bioinspired materials systems, self-assembly processes, and energy-driven functional materials. Key projects include the development of ATP-fueled systems, dissipative systems engineering, and light-actuated materials. Walther leads the Walther Lab, specializing in life-like materials and systems, and contributes to educational initiatives like the livMatS program. His expertise spans hierarchical self-assembly, biomimetic materials, and non-equilibrium systems. Recent work emphasizes communication in chemically fueled networks and programmable DNA coacervates. Publications highlight breakthroughs in ATP-responsive materials, scalable hydrogel synthesis, and light-controlled systems. Awards and grants include DFG funding for livMatS-related research. He advises two PhD students and collaborates widely across institutions.
Tom F.A. de Greef is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology's Biomedical Engineering department, leading pioneering research at the intersection of synthetic biology, molecular computing, and engineered living systems. He founded the Center of Living Technologies and serves as a Core Professor at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). Key research areas: Biological Computing Devices, DNA-based Data Storage, Engineered Living Materials, Synthetic Cell Engineering, Digital Chemistry, and Protocell Communication. His work has resulted in over 100 publications in Nature , Nature Chemistry , and Nature Nanotechnology , supported by prestigious awards including ERC Consolidator, Starting, and PoC grants, as well as NWO's VICI, VIDI, and VENI grants. He received the Cram-Lehn-Pedersen Prize in 2017 and was named a Groundbreaking TU/e Researcher in 2022. Leadership roles: Founding member of Center of Living Technologies, Principal Investigator at TU/e, and Fellow of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering. He supervises a large research group with >15 PhD students and leads collaborations across international institutions, focusing on programmable molecular systems and sustainable technologies aligned with UN SDGs.
Rosario Gil García is a Professor in the Department of Genetics at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia. She is affiliated with the Institute for Biological Systems Integration (I2SYSBIO) and leads research within the GENEVOL Evolutionary Genetics group. Her work bridges molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, and systems biology. Her research focuses on evolutionary genetics of microbial symbioses , particularly in insects. Key areas include genome reduction, minimal genomes, endosymbiont evolution (e.g., Buchnera , Tremblaya , Wolbachia ), and the functional dynamics of gut microbiota in cockroaches and aphids. She investigates how long-term symbiosis shapes genome architecture and metabolic dependencies. The recent publication trends highlight a strong emphasis on minimal cellular systems , synthetic biology applications , and vector control strategies using Wolbachia-mediated incompatibility in Aedes albopictus . Her work combines comparative genomics, experimental microbiology, and systems-level modeling to understand the limits of life and harness symbiosis for biotechnological innovation. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While no list of advisees is provided, her role as a PhD supervisor (having been supervised herself) and her leadership in a major research group suggest active mentoring. She is likely involved in competitive research grants related to evolutionary genomics and synthetic biology, though specific funding sources are not listed. Labs and Teams: She is an integral member of the GENEVOL Evolutionary Genetics research group and the I2SYSBIO institute, both of which foster interdisciplinary research in biological systems, evolution, and genomics. These affiliations provide a collaborative environment for advanced genomic and experimental studies.
Ainoa Guinart Planellas is a Researcher at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen , specializing in Synthetic Organic Chemistry . Her work bridges molecular nanotechnology with biological systems. University: University of Groningen School: Faculty of Science and Engineering Department: Synthetic Organic Chemistry Her research focuses on light-activated molecular rotary motors and their integration into biological membranes for applications in drug delivery , cell membrane engineering , and synthetic biology . Key areas include: Molecular Motor Design Membrane-Lipid Interactions Conformational Dynamics Protocell Communication Nanoscale Applications Click Chemistry for Bioconjugation Recent publications highlight her contributions to controlled cell uptake , lipid vesicle integration , and photoreceptor-like systems in artificial cells. Collaborations span institutions like ZENODO and Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, with datasets supporting reproducibility in nanoscale motor studies.
Dr. Tsvetomir Ivanov serves as Group Leader of the Biocondensate Systems group within the Artificial Cells project at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany. He completed his PhD in 2025 under Prof. Katharina Landfester after joining her department in 2020, following dual chemistry degrees from Hamburg University of Technology and Sofia's University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy. His academic background includes: Double Chemistry Degree: Hamburg University of Technology & University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia (DAAD scholarship) Diploma Thesis: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg (Prof. Kai Sundmacher) PhD in Polymer Research: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (2020-2025) Ivanov's research integrates organic chemistry, molecular biology, and engineering to develop multicompartmental artificial cell systems. His dual focus encompasses: (1) Engineering adaptive protocells with growth/division capabilities using stimuli-responsive block copolymers and integrated suborganelles, and (2) Constructing peptide-based coacervate systems to model biomolecular condensates for synthetic organelle communication. This work bridges materials science and cellular biology with direct applications in nanomedicine and synthetic cell networks. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in biomolecular condensates and compartmentalized catalysis, with consistent methodology using peptide-based coacervates and vesicular systems. The research spans synthetic biology, soft matter physics, and nanomedicine, emphasizing bottom-up assembly of functional microreactors for therapeutic applications. As Group Leader, Ivanov directs the Biocondensate Systems team within Prof. Landfester's department, overseeing the Artificial Cells project's development of minimal cell models. His position implies active supervision of junior researchers and management of research funding, though specific grant details remain unreported in the source material.
Dr. Luis Hernan serves as Lecturer in Spatial Narratives at the University of Sheffield's School of Architecture and Landscape, concurrently holding leadership positions as Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research and Lead of the PhD by Design programme. He co-edits the open-access journal field: and contributes to institutional initiatives including the SSoA Feminist Library and curriculum decolonization efforts, demonstrating deep integration within the university's academic ecosystem. Education: PhD in Architecture, Newcastle University MSc in Architecture, Newcastle University BA in Architecture, Mexico (institution unspecified) His research investigates narrative as fundamental to architectural and urban experience, critically examining how stories shape spatial understanding through Latin American literary traditions. Key trajectories include utopian domesticities in smart technologies, Mexico-US border spatial politics through science fiction tropes, and deindustrialization narratives in Northern England. His transdisciplinary methodology uniquely fuses critical theory with creative practice in photography, poetry, and ficto-critical writing. Publication analysis reveals consistent thematic evolution from digital spatial atmospheres (2012-2016) toward decolonial border studies and Empire critiques (2018-2023), with increasing emphasis on anti-racist praxis and climate-responsive urbanism. Collaborative patterns show sustained partnerships with Ramirez-Figueroa on border technologies and Cheatle on anti-racist architecture, while solo works develop his monograph on Silicon Valley's spatial narratives. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source materials Advising focuses on doctoral research in narrative architecture, decolonial theory, and speculative futures, though specific supervisees aren't named. Grant history isn't detailed, but collaborative publications indicate participation in bio-materialism projects (e.g., bacteria-based soil engineering) and digital humanities initiatives. He contributes to the Spaces, Culture and Politics Research Group and has collaborated on living systems projects involving bacterial hygromorphs and protocell research, suggesting engagement with interdisciplinary labs exploring biological computation and responsive materials at the architecture-technology interface.
Nishant Singh is a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM) within Universitat Jaume I, Spain. He leads the CIDEGENT Research Group RG11 (Dynamic Materials and Self-assembling Systems) since receiving the CIDEGENT Grant in 2022. PhD in Catalytic Hydrogels (2016, Marie Curie Fellowship) Postdoc at University of Nottingham (EPSRC-funded Biomaterials Discovery) Postdoc at University of Strasbourg (Marie Curie Fellowship for Non-Equilibrium Systems) His research focuses on supramolecular and systems chemistry , particularly non-equilibrium self-assemblies and reaction cycles. Key contributions include chemically fueled hydrogel dynamics, programmable coacervates, and combinatorial approaches to drug delivery systems. Recent publications highlight his work on Life-like budding in reactive coacervates (2025) Polymorphic Fmoc-leucine self-assemblies (2024) Chemically fueled dynamic materials (2024) with applications in biomaterials and adaptive systems. Scientific recognition includes Marie Curie Fellowship (Extraordinary Prize) EPSRC Next Generation Biomaterials Discovery Grant Marie Curie Individual Fellowship CIDEGENT Grant (2022) His lab explores pathways to create soft materials with emergent properties through bottom-up self-assembly.
Sebastien Lecommandoux is a Professor at the University of Bordeaux, affiliated with the National School of Chemistry and Physics of Bordeaux (ENSCPB) and the Department of Organic Polymer Chemistry. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Biomacromolecules (ACS) and directs the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO-CNRS). His career spans roles including Co-Director of the LCPO-L'OREAL Joint Laboratory and leadership in academic institutions. Research interests include: Design of biomimetic polymeric systems Stimuli-responsive drug delivery vehicles Self-assembly of polypeptides/polysaccharides Theranostic nanocarriers for cancer therapy Protocell architectures with cascade reaction capabilities Scientific achievements: Seqens Award (2019) Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) CNRS Bronze Medal (2004) His work on polymersomes and multicompartmentalized systems has appeared in top journals with over 9,700 citations (h-index 52). Key collaborations include institutions in France, USA, and Netherlands.
Nicolas Martin is a CNRS Researcher at the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), a joint research unit of the CNRS and the University of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac, France at 115 avenue Dr Schweitzer, he works as a member of the BIO 2.0 research team. His research focuses on liquid-liquid phase separation, coacervation, artificial cells, and stimuli-responsive systems. Dr. Martin's research centers on creating and studying synthetic cells using principles of liquid-liquid phase separation. His work explores how coacervate droplets serve as models for prebiotic protocells and how these systems can be engineered for various applications. He investigates stimuli-responsive systems that change properties in response to external triggers like light, with applications in synthetic biology and materials science. His research bridges chemistry, physics, and biology to understand and engineer compartmentalized systems that mimic cellular organization. Analysis of Dr. Martin's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on coacervate systems with increasing complexity. His work spans from fundamental studies of phase separation phenomena to practical applications in creating artificial cells. A notable trend is his growing emphasis on light-responsive systems and the integration of biological components into synthetic compartments. His research has evolved from studying basic coacervation phenomena to developing increasingly sophisticated protocell systems with multiple functionalities and environmental responsiveness. ANR PRC PROTOPOLYM (partner, 2025) ANR PRC SHEILA (partner, 2024) Doctoral Network SIGSYNCELL (partner, 2023) RIE U. Bordeaux Project (coordinator, 2023) ANR PRC CHEMinDROPS (partner, 2023) ANR PRC WalLesShape (partner, 2022) CEFIPRA (coordinator, 2022) ANR JCJC LASCO2 (coordinator, 2021) Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region Project (coordinator, 2020) ANR PRC CoSyCell (partner, 2019) IdEx Bordeaux Junior Chair (coordinator, 2018) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (declined, 2018) Dr. Martin has coordinated multiple significant research projects including the IdEx Bordeaux Junior Chair (2018), CEFIPRA (2022), and RIE U. Bordeaux Project (2023), demonstrating his leadership capabilities. He has served as a partner in numerous ANR-funded projects, indicating strong collaborative networks across French and international research institutions. His research has received consistent funding from various sources including the French National Research Agency, regional initiatives, and international collaborations. As a member of the BIO 2.0 team at CRPP, Dr. Martin collaborates with researchers working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics. His laboratory focuses on creating and studying synthetic cellular systems using principles of phase separation. The team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining experimental techniques from multiple scientific disciplines to engineer and characterize complex coacervate systems with potential applications in biotechnology and synthetic biology.
Ricard Solé is an ICREA Research Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra , where he leads the Complex Systems Lab at the PRBB (Biomedical Research Park). He is also an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and a founding member of the NASA-associated Center for Astrobiology. PhD in Physics (Polytechnic University of Catalonia) Degrees in Physics and Biology (University of Barcelona) His research bridges evolutionary biology and synthetic biology , focusing on reconstructing evolutionary innovations like protocells and multicellularity through synthetic approaches. Key themes include: Synthetic Major Transitions Unstable Evolutionary Dynamics in RNA viruses and cancer Terraforming ecosystems Complex biological network evolution His recent work (2024–2025) spans topics from synthetic multicellularity to AI-driven ecological control, with a focus on bifurcations, nonequilibrium dynamics, and resilience mechanisms. Notable scientific awards include: Barcelona City Award for Science (2004) James McDonnell Foundation Award in Complex Systems La Vanguardia Award for Science (2011) ERC Advanced Grant (2012) He has published over 250 papers (18,000+ citations) and actively collaborates with institutions like UCSF and the European Center for Living Technology.
Dr. Alexander Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Hamlyn Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation and the Department of Surgery & Cancer at Imperial College London. He leads the Clinical Photonics Lab and holds affiliations across multiple departments including Medicine, Chemistry, and Computing. He completed his PhD in Physics at Imperial College before advancing through roles as Postdoctoral Research Associate and Imperial College Research Fellow. His research focuses on developing low-cost biomedical diagnostic tools using optical technologies like spectroscopy and interferometry, with applications in cancer diagnosis, malnutrition assessment, and global health challenges. Key areas of expertise include endoscopic instrument development, protocell analysis through fluorescence imaging, Raman spectroscopy for infection diagnostics, and optical feedback mechanisms in microsurgical robotics. He collaborates extensively with academic and industry partners globally. Awarded membership in the World Economic Forum’s Young Scientists Community (2018), his work emphasizes translating optical physics innovations into clinical applications, particularly for resource-limited settings.
Alexander Mason is a DECRA Fellow at the University of Wollongong, leading the Synthetic Biomimetic Compartments research group. His work focuses on bottom-up synthetic cell design, integrating polymer chemistry, membrane engineering, and open-source hardware solutions like the DIB-BOT droplet interface bilayer robot. Mason holds a PhD and BSc in Nanotechnology from UNSW Sydney, with postdoctoral experience at Eindhoven University of Technology and UNSW. Educations: PhD in Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, 2017 BSc in Nanotechnology, UNSW Sydney, 2012 His research interests span synthetic cells, biomimetic compartments, and stochasticity in biological systems. Key projects include the DECRA-funded 'Building a synthetic chemical synapse through harnessed stochasticity' (2023–2027), exploring molecular fluctuations' impact on higher-order biological phenomena. Publications emphasize droplet-based systems (e.g., DIB-BOT), polymer vesicle engineering, and synthetic cell applications in tissue engineering. Notable recognition includes the 2023 ASB Best ECR Talk Award for his DIB-BOT work. Current supervision includes PhD projects on synthetic chemical synapses and neural progenitor cell guidance systems. The lab also develops DIY hardware solutions and collaborates on interdisciplinary biomaterials projects.
Konstantinos Beis is a Research Professor in Membrane Protein Structural Biology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences, part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on understanding bacterial pathogenesis and drug resistance mechanisms, particularly through the structural analysis of membrane proteins, ABC transporters, and antibacterial peptides. He holds affiliations with the Centre for Structural Biology, Research Complex at Harwell, and the Membrane Receptor Network. His work employs advanced structural biology techniques such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and biophysical methods like PELDOR/EPR and smFRET. Key research themes include the structural basis of drug resistance, the mechanism of ABC transporters, and the development of novel antibacterial strategies. Beis collaborates with institutions like Diamond Light Source Ltd and has contributed to studies on Klebsiella pneumoniae, antimicrobial peptides, and conjugation systems in bacteria. His publications span over two decades, with recent work emphasizing structural insights into transporters, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and innovative techniques in crystallography. Beis’s findings have implications for drug discovery and combating antibiotic resistance, reflecting his commitment to bridging structural biology and applied microbiology.
Pasquale Stano is an Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry (CHIM/06) at the University of Salento, where he has been employed since November 1, 2016. He is affiliated with the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, working at the Ecotekne Center in Lecce, Italy. His research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Stano's research interests focus on Synthetic Biology , Origins of Life , Systems Chemistry , and Artificial Life , with particular emphasis on developing chemical approaches to artificial intelligence. His work explores how synthetic cells can serve as platforms for wetware computing and how biological principles can inform new paradigms in AI. He investigates molecular communication, self-organization processes, and the construction of artificial cells with cognitive capabilities. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating synthetic biology with artificial intelligence, particularly through the development of chemical neural networks within synthetic cells. His research shows how bottom-up approaches to creating artificial cells can lead to systems capable of information processing, environmental sensing, and even rudimentary cognition. This work bridges traditionally separate fields, creating new interdisciplinary connections between chemistry, biology, computer science, and engineering. Winner of the 2021 Cozzarelli Prize (National Academy of Science, USA) in Class I (Physical and Mathematical Sciences) Dr. Stano leads the Org(SB-EAI) project (PRIN 2022), which focuses on an organizational approach to synthetic modeling of cognition based on synthetic biology and embodied AI. He has organized multiple satellite workshops at ALIFE conferences on topics including molecular communication approaches for wetware artificial life and synthetic biology's contributions to artificial intelligence. His research group actively collaborates across disciplinary boundaries, connecting chemists, biologists, computer scientists, and engineers to explore the frontiers of wetware computing and artificial life. Based at the Ecotekne Center, Dr. Stano's research group operates at the intersection of chemistry and biology, with a particular focus on creating synthetic cellular systems that can process information in ways analogous to biological cognition. His laboratory investigates how chemical systems can exhibit computational properties and how these properties might be harnessed for novel computing paradigms.
