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Matthias Peter is a Professor of Biochemistry at ETH Zurich, leading research into mechanisms governing cell growth and division. His laboratory focuses on ubiquitin-dependent regulation of DNA replication and mitosis, and autophagy's role in cellular quality control. He chairs the Department of Biology (2011-2015) and holds leadership roles in Switzerland's research infrastructure, including Vice Chair of ScopeM's microscopy platform. His academic career includes roles at ISREC (1996-2002) and postdoctoral training at UCSF (1991-1996). Education: PhD in Biochemistry from ISREC (1991), ETH Zurich diploma in Gene Technology (1987). Research interests span molecular mechanisms of cell division, ubiquitin systems, and autophagy. Awards include ERC Advanced Grant (2011) and UBS Excellence in Research (2002). Leadership: Member of Swiss National Research Council, SNF selection committee, and SWTR council. Over 20 years of committee service in national research programs. His lab's work is published in top journals like Science, Nature, and Molecular Cell.

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Cell division
• +7 more

Iva Tolic is a Full Professor and Senior Research Group Leader at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, with tenure since 2019. She is an elected associate member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (2020) and an EMBO member (2018). Her work bridges molecular biology and biophysics to study mitotic spindle mechanics. Education: PhD in Biology (2002, University of Zagreb); Diploma in Molecular Biology (1996, University of Zagreb) Her research focuses on mitotic spindle dynamics, including microtubule sliding, kinetochore forces, and spindle chirality. She employs optogenetics, theoretical modeling, and advanced microscopy to uncover mechanisms preventing aneuploidy in human cells. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding spindle mechanics, including microtubule-sliding modules and biomechanics of chromosome alignment. She has secured major grants like the ERC Synergy Grant (2020) and ERC Consolidator Grant (2014). Scientific awards: ERC Synergy Grant (2020), Ignaz L. Lieben Award (2017), National Science Award of Croatia (2015), etc. With over 91 peer-reviewed papers and a Google Scholar h-index of 36, Tolic has delivered more than 150 invited talks globally. She leads interdisciplinary projects integrating microscopy protocols for biomedical research and investigates molecular origins of aneuploidies.

• Mitotic spindle
• Mitosis
• Biophysics
• +7 more

Christer Höög is a Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. His academic career spans over three decades, with key roles including membership in the research evaluation committee at the Danish Cancer Society (2009-2011) and chairman of the Swedish Cancer Society's research priority committee (2006-2009). He has been elected to prestigious institutions such as Academia Europaea (2009) and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO, 2003), and received the Distinguished Professor Award at Karolinska Institutet (2010). Research Focus: Höög's laboratory investigates meiotic chromosome segregation, emphasizing the role of the synaptonemal complex—a conserved protein structure critical for accurate chromosome pairing and segregation during germ cell division. His work explores how defects in this complex contribute to aneuploidy, a leading cause of miscarriages, congenital disorders, and mental retardation in humans. By combining genetic, biochemical, and ultrastructural approaches, his research aims to uncover molecular pathways underlying meiotic errors and improve assisted reproductive technologies. Scientific Leadership: Current and past committee memberships in cancer and biomedical research institutions Member of the Nobel Assembly in Physiology or Medicine (2007) Honors and Awards: Distinguished Professor Award, Karolinska Institutet (2010) Academia Europaea member (2009) Nobel Assembly member (2007) EMBO member (2003) Flormanska Award (2003)

• Meiosis
• Cell Cycle
• Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
• +5 more

Prof. Rene Medema serves as Scientific Director at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (since 2012) and previously held roles including Professor of Experimental Oncology at UMC Utrecht (2005–2011) and Associate Professor in Hematology (1995–2001). His research focuses on cell cycle regulation, checkpoint recovery mechanisms, and spindle assembly dynamics. Key contributions include elucidating FoxO/FoxM1 roles in cell cycle transitions and discovering Plk-1's role in DNA damage checkpoint recovery. He leads a lab challenging conventional spindle force models and exploring cancer therapeutic strategies exploiting tumor cell instability. Education: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (1993–1995) at Whitehead Institute, MIT Research interests span transcriptional control of cell division, oncogene regulation, and translational cancer biology. His work bridges basic cell biology with clinical oncology, emphasizing mechanisms of genomic instability in tumors. Awards: VICI Award (NWO 2004), EMBO Membership (2007), Academia Europaea (2012) Advises research groups focused on checkpoint recovery and spindle dynamics. Lab collaborations explore therapeutic vulnerabilities in chromosome unstable cancers. Active in research leadership roles including managing education divisions at UMC Utrecht (2010–2011). Led pioneering studies in forkhead transcription factors and Plk-1 biology, establishing his group as a global leader in cell cycle research. Current efforts integrate cellular mechanics with cancer therapy development.

• Cell cycle control
• Cell cycle checkpoints
• Mitosis
• +4 more

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

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