معرفی
Prof. Claire Jacob is a Professor in Cellular Neurobiology at the Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, holding this position since 2018. Previously, she served as Group Leader and Swiss National Science Foundation Professor at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland (2012-2019), with earlier research roles at ETH Zürich and UCSF. Her work centers on molecular mechanisms of myelination, demyelination, and nerve repair in peripheral and central nervous systems.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Rennes 1, France (2003)
- Master in Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Medicine Paris V, France (1999)
- Doctorate level in Pharmaceutical studies, University of Pharmacy Paris V, France (1998)
- Bachelor in Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Pharmacy Paris V and Medicine Paris XI, France (1997)
Prof. Jacob's research investigates epigenetic regulation of Schwann cell plasticity during nerve injury and repair, with emphasis on histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and protein deacetylation. Her work bridges fundamental neurobiology with translational applications for demyelinating disorders, particularly Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and multiple sclerosis. Key discoveries include elucidating HDAC-dependent pathways in myelin maintenance, identifying remyelination triggers like theophylline, and characterizing axon-Schwann cell signaling mechanisms in nerve degeneration.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on epigenetic control of remyelination (60% of articles), Schwann cell biology (35%), and innovative modeling techniques (5%). Her work demonstrates consistent progression from molecular mechanism discovery (2015-2017) toward therapeutic strategy development (2018-2023), with increasing emphasis on in vivo validation and clinical translation. Recurring themes include histone deacetylase functions, cytoskeletal dynamics in nerve repair, and lipid metabolism in neural cells.
Scientific Awards:
- Speaker of InteReg Carl Zeiss Stiftung initiative (2025)
- IRP Schellenberg Research Prize from the International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia (2018)
- Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize from the Swiss National Science Foundation (2012)
Prof. Jacob has secured substantial research funding including a prestigious Swiss National Science Foundation Professorship (2012-2017) and currently leads an independent research group at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Her lab actively engages in fundraising for multiple sclerosis clinical trials and collaborates with clinical partners to translate basic findings into therapeutic applications. She mentors doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers while maintaining strong international collaborations in neuroregeneration research.
The Jacob Lab at Mainz operates as a dynamic interdisciplinary unit combining molecular biology, advanced microscopy, and in vivo modeling to study nerve repair mechanisms. Current projects utilize microfluidic chamber systems to model PNS/CNS myelination and investigate lipid droplet dynamics in neural repair. The lab maintains active partnerships with clinical neurology departments and participates in the InteReg initiative focused on regenerative therapies for neurological disorders.
