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Kazunori KoideView profile

Professor

• Organic Chemistry
• Natural Products Synthesis
• Fluorescent Sensors
• +3 more

Kazunori Koide is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on organic synthesis of natural products, development of novel synthetic methodologies, and creation of fluorescent probes for biomedical applications. He leads the Koide Group, which explores anticancer compounds like FR901464 and stresgenin B, as well as sensors for metals such as palladium, copper, and platinum. Research interests include total synthesis of bioactive natural products, mechanistic studies of organic reactions, and design of fluorogenic probes for real-time imaging of biomolecules. Notable projects involve Birch reduction optimization, palladium detection technologies, and RNA splicing modulation therapies. His work has led to awards including the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award (2009) and the Merck Technology Collaboration Award (2014). Key contributions span medicinal chemistry, analytical methods, and drug discovery, with over 100 publications in top journals like J. Am. Chem. Soc. and Nature Catalysis . Lab activities emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining organic synthesis with cell biology and materials science. Collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions drive translational research in cancer therapy and environmental monitoring.

Heike KrebberView profile

Professor

• mRNA Quality Control
• ncRNA Functions
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Heike Krebber is a Professor for Molecular Genetics at Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. Her research focuses on mRNA quality control and non-coding RNA functions, using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. She has held positions at the DKFZ (Heidelberg), Harvard Medical School, and Philipps-Universität Marburg. Her work addresses how mRNA processing defects contribute to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Education & Positions: PhD (1996), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heisenberg Fellow (2006) Habilitation in Molecular Biology (2005) Professor since 2010 at Georg-August University Research Interests: Her lab investigates: RNA quality control mechanisms ensuring proper mRNA maturation and export Functions of non-coding RNAs (e.g., lncRNAs in iron metabolism and telomerase) Ribosome assembly and translation termination pathways Stress-induced bypass of mRNA quality control Awards: Heisenberg Fellowship (2006) Grants & Teams: Leads the Molecular Genetics group at the Institute for Microbiology and Genetics. Collaborates with the IMPRS Molecular Biology and GZMB (Molecular Biology of Cells) programs. Labs & Affiliations: Her group is part of the GGNB network, focusing on Microbiology and Biochemistry. The lab’s work spans fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational disease relevance.

Kushal DeyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Genomics
• Machine Learning
• +5 more

Kushal Dey, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Computational and Systems Biology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). His research develops machine learning models that integrate genetic, genomic, and epigenomic data (e.g., RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, Perturb-seq, spatial transcriptomics) to decode the causal functional architecture of heritable complex diseases, including immune-related disorders like Alzheimer’s and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as heritable cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Protein Informatics
• +3 more

Barış Ethem Süzek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Muğla Sitki Koçman University. His academic career spans institutions including Middle East Technical University (BS), Johns Hopkins University (MS), and George Mason University (PhD) in Computational Biology. He specializes in bioinformatics and computational biology, focusing on protein informatics, genetic analysis, and machine learning applications in medical research. Education BS: Middle East Technical University - Computer Engineering (1997) MS: Johns Hopkins University - Computer Science (2000) PhD: George Mason University - Computational Biology (2012) His research integrates bioinformatics with molecular dynamics, particularly in host-pathogen interactions, regenerative medicine, and genomic data analysis. He has developed machine learning tools for viral interaction prediction and variant analysis systems. His work with UniProt and cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid projects demonstrates expertise in large-scale biological data integration. Scientific awards include Collaboration, Outstanding Achievement, and Change Agent Awards from the cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid, plus multiple patent recognitions for biomedical systems. He has supervised numerous graduate students in bioinformatics, computational genetics, and forensic biology projects.

Patricia J. HillerenView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• RNA Biology
• +5 more

Patricia J. Hilleren is an Associate Professor of Biology and current Department Chair at Skidmore College , Saratoga Springs, NY. Her research focuses on nuclear mRNA quality control systems and gene expression accuracy in eukaryotic cells, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics from the University of Minnesota (1997) and completed postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Arizona (1997-2003). Education: B.S., Microbiology (1987), St. Cloud State University Ph.D., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics (1997), University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Research (1997-2003), Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Arizona Courses Taught: Liberal Sciences I Molecular Cell Biology (BI 242) Chromatin Structure, Maintenance and Function (BI 360) mRNA Synthesis, Processing, and Turnover (BI 363) Research Interests: Hilleren investigates nuclear quality control systems that ensure accurate gene expression, focusing on how defective pre-mRNAs are recognized, retained at transcription sites, and removed in eukaryotic cells. Her work addresses fundamental cellular mechanisms through yeast genetics and molecular biology approaches. Publication Trends: Her research spans RNA biology, gene expression regulation, and mRNA surveillance systems. Key themes include nuclear RNA processing errors, cytoplasmic degradation pathways, and molecular mechanisms of mRNA quality control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Contact: Office: Biology Department - CIS 210A Phone: (518) 580-8301 Email: phillere@skidmore.edu Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:30am-12noon, Thursdays 2:15pm-3:30pm

• DNA Repair Mechanisms
• Genetics
• Pharmacology
• +7 more

Colin R Campbell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota Medical School . His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms , particularly DNA-protein crosslink repair , homologous recombination , and mitochondrial DNA stability , with significant contributions to understanding cancer mechanisms and genetic toxicology . Research Themes DNA-Protein Crosslink Repair Homologous Recombination Pathways Mitochondrial DNA Maintenance Chemotherapy-Induced DNA Damage Enzymatic Processing Mechanisms Article Trends 2024-2025 work emphasizes transcription-coupled DNA repair and ubiquitin-mediated repair pathways 2020-2023 studies explore mitochondrial crosslink repair and interdisciplinary sustainability leadership 2000-2018 publications cover rad51 interactions , nitrogen mustard effects , and calpain-mediated repair enzyme degradation Grants & Projects NIH/NHLBI: Summer Research (2024-2029) NIH/NIEHS: DNA-Protein Crosslink Repair (2019-2025) NIH/NHLBI: Cellular Repair Mechanisms (2018-2024) Collaborations Natalia Tretyakova (Chemistry) Hoang D Nguyen (Microbiology) Paul B Bitterman (Medicine) Beverly S Moriarity (Genetics)

Christian FreundView profile

Professor

• Protein Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Structural Biology
• +3 more

Christian Freund is Professor of Protein Biochemistry at the Institute for Chemistry & Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, holding this W2 professorship since 2011. He serves as Coordinator of the FU Berlin-UCSF Collaborative Initiative and Founding Member/Vice-chair of the DFG Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TRR 186 on Molecular Switches in Cellular Signal Transmission, leading interdisciplinary research across Berlin and Heidelberg institutions. His academic foundation includes Chemistry studies at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (1983-1986) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1986-1989), followed by a PhD in Structural Biology at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry (1994) and Habilitation in Biochemistry at Freie Universität Berlin (2005). Freund's research integrates structural biology, biophysics, and immunology to investigate molecular mechanisms of antigen presentation and cellular signaling. His work centers on MHC class II dynamics, protein conformational switches, and nanoscale organization of signaling complexes, employing NMR spectroscopy, quantitative proteomics, and molecular engineering to dissect immune recognition pathways and neuronal signaling mechanisms. Analysis of his 2010-2019 publications reveals consistent focus on MHC-mediated antigen presentation (60% of works), with significant contributions to understanding peptide exchange dynamics and HLA-DM editing functions. Secondary research streams explore synaptic protein networks (25%) and T cell signaling machinery (15%), demonstrating methodological breadth across structural biology, proteomics, and cell biological approaches. His scientific recognition includes: Biofuture award from the German Ministry of Education and Research (1999) Swiss National Funds Post-doctoral Scholarship (1997) Innovationswettbewerb Medizintechnik grant (2009) As research group leader at Leibniz-Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (2000-2011) and current FU Berlin professor, Freund has secured major collaborative funding through DFG SFB/TRR 186 and the UCSF partnership. His mentorship spans postdoctoral fellows at Harvard/Dana-Farber and Leibniz-Institute, with current supervision of graduate students in the Berlin biochemistry program. Freund directs a research group within FU Berlin's Institute for Chemistry & Biochemistry, operating as core component of SFB/TRR 186. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with UCSF's QBI (Nevan Krogan) and Heidelberg-based structural biology teams, utilizing advanced NMR, cryo-EM, and single-molecule imaging facilities across the Berlin-Heidelberg research alliance.

• Systems Biology
• Genomics
• Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation
• +3 more

CHEN Wei is a Chair Professor at the Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China. He holds a Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (2006) and previously served as a Full Professor (W3) at the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (2015-2016). Prior to joining SUSTech, he led research groups at prestigious German institutions, contributing to large-scale genome centers and the Berlin Institute of Health. Education : Ph.D. (2006, Max Planck Institute), M.S. (2002, Sichuan University), B.S. (1993, Xiamen University) His research focuses on systems biology and genomics, particularly post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms and their roles in human diseases. His lab integrates next-generation sequencing technologies with computational approaches to study non-coding RNA functions, alternative splicing, and chromatin dynamics. Key projects include CRISPR-based functional studies, 3D genome analysis, and RNA editing in neurological and metabolic disorders. Recent publications highlight his work in Drosophila developmental genomics, chloroplast translation control, and cancer biology. The 2025 study on spatiotemporal multi-omics in Drosophila and 2024 articles on MatK's role in tRNA splicing and CRISPR-activated transcriptional regulation exemplify his interdisciplinary approach. Earlier works (2023-2022) address immune cell trafficking, alternative polyadenylation, and chromatin remodeling in cancer metastasis. At SUSTech, he leads a team with 4 research assistant professors, 2 postdoctoral fellows, 3 research assistants, and 7 graduate students. His lab has secured significant funding from EU and German agencies (€7M+), though specific awards are not detailed in the provided text. Teaching responsibilities include General Biology and Principles of Cell Biology.

Ralf HerwigView profile

Researcher

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Ralf Herwig is a computational biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, Germany. His work focuses on statistical methods for integrative analysis of gene expression, proteomics, and metabolomics data to model biological processes in human diseases like cancer and diabetes. He develops tools such as ConsensusPathDB for molecular interaction networks and IsoTools for long-read RNA-seq analysis. Education: Diploma in mathematics (Free University of Berlin), PhD in mathematics/statistics (FU Berlin) on clustering algorithms and information-theoretic methods. Research Interests include computational network biology, multi-omics data integration, machine learning for cancer survival predictions, and alternative splicing analysis. His group pioneered network propagation frameworks to explain drug toxicity and black-box ML models. Key Publications cover deep learning in drug combinations, long-read sequencing for cancer isoforms, and systems biology approaches to metabolic disorders. Tools developed by Herwig's lab are widely cited (~2,500 citations for ConsensusPathDB). Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Herwig Lab, collaborating on projects involving cancer, diabetes, and cardiotoxicity. The lab maintains critical computational resources for the biomedical community.

• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• RNA Splicing
• +5 more

Sita Reddy is an Associate Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Southern California (USC) and Co-Director of the Molecular Medicine PhD Program. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying genetic disorders, cellular aging, and cancer biology. Key areas include RNA splicing regulation by Muscleblind proteins, lamin A dysfunction, telomere biology, and progeroid syndromes. Her work integrates studies on myotonic dystrophy, telomere maintenance, and gene expression abnormalities. Notable contributions include unraveling the role of MBNL1 in RNA processing and identifying FOXQ1 as a mediator of lamin A-related pathologies. She also investigates how altered RNA metabolism and protein interactions drive disease progression in genetic disorders. Publications highlight her exploration of telomeric DNA processing by the Werner syndrome protein, the impact of prelamin A variants on cellular health, and the interplay between nuclear structure and aging. Her research bridges basic molecular biology with translational insights into aging-related diseases and cancer. Dr. Reddy’s scientific contributions are reflected in her extensive peer-reviewed publications, with a focus on high-impact journals like Cell , EMBO Journal , and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .

• Eukaryotic RNA processing
• Post-transcriptional gene regulation
• Spliceosome structure and mechanism
• +6 more

Melissa J. Moore, PhD, is Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, where she holds the Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair of Cancer Research and serves in the RNA Therapeutics Institute. She also holds appointments in the T. H. Chan School of Medicine (Department of Chemical Biology) and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, and Translational Science). Additional affiliations include campus-wide programs in Bioinformatics & Integrative Biology and Chemical Biology. Education: BS in Chemistry/Biology, College of William and Mary PhD in Biological Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Focus: Melissa Moore’s laboratory investigates post-transcriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes, with emphasis on three interconnected themes: (1) spliceosome structure and catalytic mechanism, (2) nuclear-to-cytoplasmic control of mRNA metabolism, and (3) quality control and clearance of defective ribosomal and messenger RNAs. The group combines biochemistry, single-molecule biophysics, RNA structural biology, and cell biology to dissect these processes at molecular and systems levels. Scientific Awards & Honors: Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair of Cancer Research Funding & Collaborations: Work is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and involves ongoing collaborations with investigators at Brandeis University, MIT, University of Rochester, and other institutions. Rotation projects for graduate students are available in all active research areas. Laboratory & Team: The Moore laboratory is located in the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA. The team employs state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging, mass spectrometry, and high-throughput sequencing to advance understanding of RNA biology and to translate insights into therapeutic RNA technologies.

Gil WestmeyerView profile

Professor

• Molecular Sensors
• Molecular Actuators
• Neuroimaging
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Gil Westmeyer is a Professor of Neurobiological Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding joint appointments at the TUM School of Natural Sciences and TUM School of Medicine and Health. He serves as Director of the Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine at Helmholtz-Zentrum München and leads the Chair of Neurobiological Engineering at TUM. His research program bridges molecular engineering, neuroimaging, and synthetic biology to develop next-generation tools for understanding and manipulating cellular networks. Westmeyer's educational background includes medical and philosophical studies in Munich, doctoral work on the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease under Professor Christian Haass, clinical training at Harvard Medical School, and postdoctoral research with Professor Alan Jasanoff at MIT. His laboratory focuses on creating genetically encoded molecular sensors and actuators that enable non-invasive imaging and remote control of cellular processes across multiple scales. His research spans three primary domains: molecular sensors for multimodal imaging (from electron microscopy to whole-organism optoacoustics), molecular actuators for spatiotemporal control of cellular processes, and neurobehavioral imaging in freely behaving model organisms. The lab's work integrates synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and advanced imaging techniques to create tools that map dynamic signaling processes and manipulate cellular functions with unprecedented precision. Westmeyer's publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in molecular engineering, with recent work focusing on genetically encoded barcodes for electron microscopy, intron-encoded reporting systems, multiplexed optoacoustic imaging, and magnetically responsive cellular compartments. His publications in high-impact journals like Nature Methods, Cell, and Nature Biotechnology reflect the significance of his contributions to molecular imaging and engineering. ERC Proof of Concept 'inteRNAlizer' (2023) ERC Consolidator Grant 'EMcapsulins' (2019) ERC Starting Grant 'MagnetoGenetics' (2013) Helmholtz Young Investigator's Group (2011) Westmeyer actively mentors students and researchers through multiple teaching positions at TUM, including courses in biological chemistry, genetic machine development (iGEM), mammalian cell technology, and neuro-recording methods. His laboratory develops technologies with clear translational potential for future neurotherapies and regenerative medicine applications, particularly through the creation of imaging-controlled cellular interventions. The lab maintains strong collaborations across disciplines and institutions, with research that contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing.

• Neurological Injuries
• Critical Care Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• +4 more

Quincy K. Tran is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. A physician-scientist with dual MD and PhD degrees in Biochemistry, he practices in the Critical Care Resuscitation Unit (CCRU) at the University of Maryland Medical Center, specializing in neurological injuries and critical care processes. Education: BS in Biochemistry (UC San Diego, 1996), PhD in Biochemistry (Virginia Commonwealth University, 2002), MD (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 2008). Clinical Expertise: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Resuscitation of transfer patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage and stroke. His research focuses on blood pressure management and improving outcomes for transferred critically ill patients, leveraging clinical data from the CCRU. He founded the Research Associate Program in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care to train future physician-scientists through mentorship and productivity-based learning. Publications highlight innovations in interhospital transfer systems, blood pressure variability analysis, and critical care logistics. His work bridges clinical practice and translational research. Scientific Awards: Excellence for Resident Research (2012) Hero Award (2017, R Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center) Distinguished Reviewer of the Year (2020, Western Journal of Emergency Medicine) Bronze Snapshot Abstract (2021, Society of Critical Care Medicine) As an editorial board member for multiple journals, he contributes to advancing emergency medicine research. His clinical and academic work emphasizes system-wide improvements in critical care delivery.

Yoseph BarashView profile

Associate Professor

• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +4 more

Yoseph Barash is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, jointly appointed in the Perelman School of Medicine's Department of Genetics and the School of Engineering and Applied Science's Department of Computer and Information Science. He leads the BioCiphers Lab, integrating machine learning with experimental biology to decode RNA biogenesis and splicing regulation in human disease. Education: B.Sc. in Physics and Computer Science, Hebrew University Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Hebrew University (2006) His research spans Machine Learning , Computational Biology , and Bioinformatics , focusing on predictive models for RNA splicing and its role in diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. He pioneered the splicing code (Barash et al., Nature 2010) and extended it to genetic variations (Xiong et al., Science 2015). Recent publications emphasize RNA splicing variations in cancer, tool development (e.g., MAJIQ V3, MAJIQ-CLIN), and machine learning for drug discovery (e.g., trametinib sensitivity in AML). His work bridges computational innovation with wet-lab validation, enabling novel high-throughput assays. Scientific Awards: Lap-Chee Tsui Publication Award (2010) NSERC EWR Steacie Fellowship Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Fellowship He advises companies in RNA therapeutics and has licensed splicing quantification tools to Pfizer, GSK, and Biogen. His lab collaborates extensively, training students and postdocs in interdisciplinary approaches to RNA biology.

Dinshaw PatelView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Biochemistry
• CRISPR-Cas Systems
• +7 more

Dinshaw Patel is a Professor at the Structural Biology Program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), holding the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Chair in Experimental Therapeutics. He has affiliations with Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medicine through collaborative research projects. PhD in Photochemistry, New York University Postdoctoral training in Biochemistry and Biophysics 17 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories Professor at Columbia University-Health Sciences His research focuses on structural biology of macromolecular recognition systems, particularly CRISPR-Cas surveillance complexes, cGAS-STING pathways, Structure Maintenance of Chromosomes (Smc5/6, MRX) complexes, and epigenetic regulation via histone/DNA modifications. His work spans RNA-mediated processes (siRNA/piRNA pathways), molecular chaperones, and riboswitches/ribozymes. Recent projects include structural characterization of bacterial antiphage defense systems (Lamassu, Kiwa), small molecule inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping machinery, and complexes involved in leukemias/lymphomas. Publications highlight structural elucidation of CRISPR-Cas systems using cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography, DNA repair mechanisms, and RNA-protein interaction dynamics. Key collaborations include Luciano Marraffini (Rockefeller), Xiaolan Zhao (MSKCC), and Thomas Tuschl (Rockefeller). National Academy of Sciences member AAAS member AT&T Bell Labs Distinguished Technical Staff Award New York University Distinguished Alumnus Award FEZANA Excellence in Profession Award Lifetime Achievement, American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research Students and trainees benefit from his expertise in structural biology techniques (NMR, crystallography, cryo-EM), biochemical assays, and biophysical approaches. His lab participates in the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology and maintains affiliations with multiple institutions including Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology and ETH Zürich.