Single-Cell Transcriptomics Professors and Supervisors in Austria

Ulrich TechnauView profile

Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Ulrich Technau is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology at the Faculty of Life Sciences. His research focuses on evolutionary developmental biology, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying body plan evolution in cnidarians such as Nematostella vectensis. He investigates germ layer formation, axial patterning, and the evolution of developmental signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt, β-catenin, Notch). His work integrates genomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and experimental embryology to explore ancestral animal body plans and cell-type diversification. Key projects include: Unraveling neuromuscular system evolution (2024–2029) Host-parasite interactions in Pirsonia-Coscinodiscus systems (2024–2027) Cnidarian muscle cell profiling (2021–2025) Research interests span marine model systems, regenerative biology, and the evolution of complex traits like pluripotency and germline specification. His contributions include seminal studies on cnidarian germ layer patterning, neuropeptide systems, and ancestral gene regulatory networks. Recent talks include presentations on sea anemone models for bilaterality and regeneration (2020), highlighting interdisciplinary approaches to EvoDevo questions.

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Christian BehmView profile

Associate Professor

Medical University of ViennaAustria

Christian Behm, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, and a member of the Competence Center Periodontal Research. His work focuses on understanding the heterogeneity of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from dental tissues, particularly periodontal ligament (PDL) and gingiva, using single-cell transcriptomics. This research aims to clarify how tissue-specific and donor-dependent variations affect MSC functionality in regenerative therapies for conditions like periodontitis and Crohn's disease. Behm's 2024 study in J Dent Res demonstrated that tissue- and donor-dependent transcriptomic differences in dental MSCs are confined to specific cellular pathways, highlighting the need for standardized cell characterization before clinical use. His findings underscore the complexity of MSC populations and the value of single-cell analysis to ensure therapeutic consistency. His research integrates molecular biology, computational analysis, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational advancements in regenerative medicine. Behm is affiliated with the Medical University of Vienna's dental clinic and collaborates on projects addressing MSC heterogeneity and clinical translation.

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Marco HeinView profile

Professor

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria

Marco Hein is a Professor of Molecular Biology at the Medical University of Vienna and Group Leader at the Max Perutz Labs, where he established his research group in November 2022. His lab focuses on systems-level analysis of virus-host interactions using cutting-edge genomic and proteomic technologies. He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and completed an EMBO postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF. His research investigates how viruses remodel host cells, with emphasis on: Repurposing of host pathways during viral infection Subcellular architectural changes induced by pathogens CRISPR-based functional genomics of viral replication Single-cell transcriptomics of infection trajectories Proteome-scale mapping of organelle dynamics Anellovirus biology and therapeutic applications His publications predominantly explore viral infection mechanisms through systems biology approaches, with recurring themes in host-pathogen interactions, single-cell genomics, and spatial proteomics. Recent work demonstrates advanced techniques like Perturb-seq to dissect viral life cycles and host defense mechanisms. Research Funding: Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF): €900,000 for 'Deconstructing and Reconstructing Anelloviruses' (2024-2028) He currently supervises 2 PhD students and 3 Master's students. His lab is affiliated with the Vienna Biocenter PhD program and collaborates with the MedUni Center for Virology on anellovirus research.

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Thomas PerlmannView profile

Professor

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Thomas Perlmann is a Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at Karolinska Institutet since 2001. He serves as Secretary-General of the Nobel Assembly and Nobel Committee (2016–present) and has held leadership roles, including Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (2007–2017) and Chairman of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (2003–2006). Education : PhD in Medical Science (Dr. Med. Sci.), Karolinska Institutet (1986–1991). Research Interests : The lab investigates how dopamine neurons are generated and maintained in the central nervous system, focusing on transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways. They explore early neurogenesis, adult neuronal maintenance, and regenerative medicine applications for Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Publications : Recent work includes transcriptomic atlases of dopamine neurons, studies on Sox and Otx transcription factors, and insights into Parkinsonism pathology. Their research spans developmental neuroscience, gene regulation, and neurodegenerative disease modeling. Scientific Awards : Torsten Söderberg Academy Professor in Medicine (2017), Hilda and Alfred Eriksson’s prize (2016), Rockefeller Nicholson Award (2011), and others. Advisory Roles : Thomas serves on the board of the Nobel Foundation (2016–present) and has participated in review panels for the European Research Council and German Cancer Research Center.

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Wilhelm T. S. HuckView profile

Professor

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Wilhelm T. S. Huck is Professor of Physical Organic Chemistry at Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He leads research at the Institute for Molecules and Materials, focusing on fundamental questions about life's chemical origins and cellular processes. Previously, he held professorships at the University of Cambridge (2007-2012) and directed the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis (2004-2010). Education includes a PhD from the University of Twente (1997, supervised by Prof. David Reinhoudt) and postdoctoral research with Prof. George Whitesides at Harvard University. His research explores out-of-equilibrium reaction networks in cellular environments, physical organic chemistry of living systems, and bottom-up construction of synthetic cells. The work integrates chemical biology, biophysics, and materials science to understand how molecular interactions create life-like behaviors in complex systems. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on interdisciplinary topics: 33% concern cellular mimicry and synthetic biology, 25% examine stem cell mechanobiology, 20% develop analytical methods for biological systems, 15% advance polymer nanotechnology, and 7% explore prebiotic chemistry. Recent work emphasizes quantitative approaches to protocell development and reaction dynamics. Major scientific awards include: Spinoza Prize (NWO, 2016) Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences membership (2012) NWO-Vici award (2011) ERC Advanced Grant (2010) Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award (2009) DuPont Young Professor Award (2004) He leads a research group supported by multiple prestigious grants including ERC Advanced and NWO-Vici funding. As co-founder of Sphere Fluidics and Cytofind Diagnostics, he bridges academic research with biotechnology applications. His laboratory develops experimental platforms for studying complex biochemical networks and synthetic cell construction.

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Huibert MansvelderView profile

Professor

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Huibert Mansvelder is a Full Professor of Neurophysiology at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research focuses on integrative neurophysiology, combining cellular and systems neuroscience approaches to study cortical function, cognition, and neuromodulation. He leads the department of Integrative Neurophysiology and directs the Bachelor Honours Programme at VU's Faculty of Science. Research interests include: Neurophysiological mechanisms of attention and cognitive control Cholinergic and nicotinic modulation of cortical circuits Comparative human-mouse neuronal physiology Ion channel biophysics in human cortical neurons Neurogenomics of cognitive disorders Neuronal network dynamics in prefrontal cortex Grant support includes: NIH Brain Initiative grants (BICCN and BICAN, 2017-2027) ERC Advanced Grant (2023-2028) NWO Gravitation Award 'Brainscapes' (2020-2030) Scientific awards : NWO VIDI (2006) and VICI (2014) awards ERC Consolidator (2011) and Proof-of-Concept (2015) grants ENI-Net Young Investigator (2007) Member of KNAW Young Academy (2006)

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Lopez-Garcia PurificacionView profile

Researcher

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Purificación López-García is a Researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), leading the DEEM group (Diversity, Ecology, Evolution Microbiennes) since 2019. Her career spans 25+ years, including roles as Research Director (Classe Exceptionnelle DRCE), Assistant Professor at Universidad de Alicante, and postdoctoral fellowships at Université Paris-Sud and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Current affiliation: CNRS, France Research focus: Microbial evolution, geobiology, origin of life Research Interests : López-García investigates microbial diversity in extreme environments, geobiological processes, and evolutionary transitions underlying eukaryotic and microbial origins. Her work integrates metagenomics, phylogenomics, and field studies across global extreme ecosystems like the Danakil Depression and Lake Baikal. Scientific Awards : Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2020) EMBO Member (2019) CNRS Silver Medal (2017) ERC Advanced Grant ProtistWorld (2013-2019) Grants and Leadership : She has led major grants including the French ANR Microbialites project (2019-2023) and the Marie Curie SINGEK ITN (2015-2019). Her team has hosted 6 current PhD students and organized 15+ international symposia.

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Nicole BorthView profile

Associate Professor

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria

Nicole Borth is Associate Professor (associate Univ.Prof.) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) and Deputy Head of the Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology . Her work sits at the intersection of cell engineering, systems biology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, with CHO and HEK293 cells as primary platforms. Research in a nutshell: Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas deletion and activation screens to map essential loci and boost recombinant protein titres. Epigenetic and synthetic-biology toolboxes (dCas9-DNMT, synthetic promoters, RNA devices) for multiplexed gene-control. Glyco-engineering and biomarker discovery to optimise critical quality attributes of monoclonal antibodies. Low-cost, animal-component-free media design and microfluidic single-cell cloning to shorten development timelines. Between 2022-2025 her group released a rapid succession of papers exploiting nanopore Cas9-targeted sequencing to pinpoint transgene integration sites, unveiled novel stress-biomarkers for difficult-to-express mAbs, and provided public-domain glyco-analytics for the NIST CHO reference line. Parallel projects apply similar tool-chains to AAV production in HEK293 and characterise human diamine oxidase biopharmaceuticals. Awards & funding: Specific prizes not enumerated in supplied text; however, the volume and recency of high-impact publications indicate sustained competitive funding. Contact: nicole.borth@boku.ac.at | Tel +43 1 47654-79064 | Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria.

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Andreas WanningerView profile

Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Andreas Wanninger is a full Professor and Head of the Department of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Vienna, Austria. His research focuses on Evolutionary Developmental Biology (EvoDevo) and MorphoEvoDevo , particularly in aquatic invertebrates with ciliated larvae (lophotrochozoans) and other protostomes. He leads the Wanninger Lab, which employs cutting-edge techniques such as immunolabeling, confocal microscopy, in situ hybridization, and single-cell RNA sequencing to explore comparative developmental genetics and morphology across diverse species. Editorial Leadership : Editor-in-Chief of Organisms Diversity and Evolution since 2011, Associate Editor for multiple journals. Research Impact : Over 150 peer-reviewed publications spanning molluscan neuroanatomy, Hox gene evolution, larval development, and environmental adaptation. Collaborative Networks : Coordinated the EU MOLMORPH network (2005–2010); active in international societies like the International Society for Invertebrate Morphology. Key Research Themes : Evolution of nervous and muscular systems in lophotrochozoans, molecular mechanisms of larval metamorphosis, comparative transcriptomics of shell and muscle formation, and phylogenetic implications of developmental patterns. His work bridges traditional morphology with modern molecular tools to address fundamental questions in animal evolution. Scientific Contributions : Notable for advancing understanding of molluscan Hox gene expression, neurogenesis in non-model taxa (e.g., bryozoans, sipunculans), and integrating morphological data with genomic insights. His lab maintains extensive stage-specific transcriptome databases for comparative studies. Contact & Affiliation : Based at the Unit for Integrative Zoology (Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna), he collaborates globally and invites researchers to join his team for projects on marine and freshwater invertebrates.

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Laura de RooijView profile

Researcher

University of ViennaAustria

Laura de Rooij is a Principal Investigator at CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences since September 2022. Her research combines single-cell omics with functional vascular assays to characterize endothelial cell heterogeneity in health, aging, and disease contexts. University of Amsterdam - Biomedical Sciences graduate McMaster University - RNA-binding protein research in leukemia VIB-KU Leuven - Postdoctoral work in angiogenesis and vascular metabolism CeMM - Lab leader since 2022 Research focus areas: Endothelial cell aging mechanisms across organs Disease-associated vascular rewiring in conditions like COVID-19 and cancer Development of 3D culture systems including vessel-on-chip platforms CRISPR-based functional interrogation of molecular circuitries in endothelial dysfunction Key publications highlight: Characterization of lipid-processing endothelial subtypes in breast cancer Identification of profibrotic endothelial phenotypes in pulmonary fibrosis Advances in single-cell transcriptome atlases across tissues Development of organotypic human endothelial models using iPSCs Laboratory resources: Lab website maintaining research continuity 3D culture platforms for EC functional analysis Collaborative networks across European research institutes

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Christoph BockView profile

Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Christoph Bock is a Principal Investigator at CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine and Professor/Head of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Medical University of Vienna. He leads the Biomedical Sequencing Facility and contributes to the Human Cell Atlas and ELLIS initiatives. Key research areas: Single-cell biology , Epigenetics , CRISPR screening , Machine learning , Cell therapy , Multi-omics Major contributions: CellWhisperer (natural language single-cell analysis), JAK-STAT signaling in immune homeostasis, LIQUORICE for liquid biopsies, and RnBeads software Scientific Awards include: ERC Starting Grant (2016) ERC Consolidator Grant (2021) Overton Prize (2017) Erwin Schrödinger Prize (2022) Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2019-2024) His lab develops bioinformatics tools (e.g., RnBeads, LIQUORICE) and applies systems immunology to understand disease mechanisms. Startup leadership : Co-founder of Myllia Biotechnology. Collaborations include clinical translations and tech development with the Biomedical Sequencing Facility.

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Georg BusslingerView profile

Researcher

University of ViennaAustria

Georg Busslinger is a group leader at the Medical University of Vienna, leading the Gastrointestinal Biology Research Group under the Department of Internal Medicine III and Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. His research focuses on epithelial cell biology of the human gastrointestinal tract, particularly the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, using organoid technology and single-cell genomics. University of Vienna (B.S. in Molecular Biology) ETH Zurich (Master’s in Molecular Biology) Rockefeller University (research on epigenetic regulation of interferon response) Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (Ph.D. on cohesin genome localization) Hubrecht Institute (postdoctoral work on organoid biology) His research utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and single-cell RNA sequencing to study transcriptional regulation, epithelial differentiation, and disease mechanisms in gastrointestinal organs. He investigates how nutrients and microbiome signals contribute to carcinogenesis and employs organoid models to dissect functional roles of cell types like acid-secreting parietal cells and hormone-producing enteroendocrine cells. Recent publications highlight his work on ulcerative colitis (2025), diet-induced mutations (2023), Barrett’s esophagus progression (2022), and foundational studies on single-cell characterization of gastrointestinal epithelia (2021). Collaborations with clinicians at UMC Utrecht explore organoid applications in precision oncology. Georg Busslinger's lab is funded by the FWF Stand-Alone Program (PAT6421424) and hosts predoctoral fellows including Katharina Kohl, Franziska Langner, Daria Pajak, and Gabriela Vladova. His team also includes Lab Manager Michael Gerstorfer.

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