André C. Stiel

Prof. André C. Stiel is a full professor at the University of Regensburg and Group Leader for Cell Engineering at Helmholtz Munich’s Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI). His research focuses on protein engineering, fluorescent proteins, optoacoustic imaging, and photoswitching technologies. He pioneered photo-switchable proteins for super-resolution imaging and developed optoacoustic contrast agents.

Education:

• Diploma in Biology (Ruhr University Bochum, Department of Biophysics)
• Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry (Max Planck Institute, Göttingen)
• Postdoc (Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen)

Research Interests: He advances genetically encoded optoacoustic probes, injectable imaging agents, and single-cell detection systems. His work bridges protein engineering with biomedical imaging, emphasizing applications for deep-tissue visualization and minimal cell detection.

Awards & Funding:

• ERC Consolidator Grant (2020)
• EIC Pathfinder Grant (2021)
• Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Consortium (2024)

Lab & Collaborations: Leads the CellEngineering group at Helmholtz Munich, collaborating with institutions like Janelia Farm and the University of Regensburg. Current projects aim to commercialize optoacoustic sensors and develop chip-based imaging systems.