Christian Behrends

Christian Behrends is a Professor for Systems Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases at LMU Munich and a full member of the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy). His research focuses on understanding cellular mechanisms related to neurodegenerative diseases through advanced proteomic approaches.

Dr. Behrends' research interests span multiple areas of cellular biology with a focus on:

• Autophagy and cellular quality control mechanisms
• Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like protein systems
• Lysosomal function and dysfunction
• Rare neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
• Systems biology approaches to understand disease mechanisms

His laboratory employs a range of cutting-edge techniques including proximity and interaction proteomics, organelle proteomics, ubiquitin proteomics, biochemistry, and cell biology to investigate the autophagy and ubiquitin systems. The research aims to systematically elucidate protein networks involved in regulating autophagic quality and quantity control of organelles and proteins, and to identify mechanisms by which disease states disrupt cellular homeostasis.

Dr. Behrends' recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying proteomic approaches to understand selective autophagy, ubiquitin signaling, and their roles in neurological disorders. His work bridges basic cellular mechanisms with disease pathogenesis, particularly in rare neurological conditions.

Dr. Behrends leads the Behrends Lab (http://www.behrendslab.com), which is part of the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology. The lab employs highly complementary strategies including biochemical and cell biological methods alongside quantitative proteomics and high-content imaging techniques to gain functional insights into complex cellular systems.