Boris Pfander

Boris Pfander is a full Professor of Cell Biology at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technische Universität Dortmund, within the Dortmund Life Science Center (DOLCE). His research focuses on DNA replication dynamics, genome maintenance mechanisms, and chromatin remodelling during DNA repair.

• Current research includes systems for unscheduled replication in G1 phase, DSB repair pathway choice, and nuclear proteostasis via autophagy.
• Major collaborations include labs at Columbia University, IRB Bellinzona, and Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.

His work has been cited over 5000 times, with key discoveries like the PCNA switch mechanism in replication stress and cell cycle-chromatin integration for DSB repair. He has received prestigious awards including the Otto Hahn Medal and Human Frontier Science Program fellowship.

Professor Pfander's lab has trained numerous PhD students, including Lorenzo Galanti and Martina Peritore, and received DFG funding for projects on replication stress and DNA repair. His recent publications highlight advances in replication fork stability, nucleosome remodelling domains, and double-strand break processing.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Otto Hahn Medal (2006)
  • Otto Hahn Award (2010-2017)
  • Human Frontier Science Program Fellowship (2007-2010)
• Grants:
  • DFG FOR5504 funding (2022 retreat)
  • DFG SFB1064 chromatin dynamics (441,600 Euro)
• Labs/Teams:
  • Moved lab from Martinsried to Dortmund (2024)
  • Collaborative teams with CECAD, IRB Bellinzona, and Columbia University