Claudia Steinem

Claudia Steinem is a Full Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Göttingen, affiliated with the Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry. She holds additional roles as an MPG Fellow at the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization and a Matter to Life Fellow. Her research focuses on artificial membrane systems, membrane fusion/fission processes, and peptide/protein interactions with lipid membranes. She has pioneered techniques like pore-spanning membranes to study biochemical mechanisms under controlled conditions.

Education:

• Studies in Biology and Chemistry (Diploma in Chemistry, 1994) – University of Münster
• Doctorate in Chemistry (1997) – University of Münster
• Habilitation in Biochemistry (2001) – University of Münster
• Associate Professor at University of Regensburg (2001–2006)

Research Interests: Development of artificial membrane platforms to investigate quantitative biochemical processes, including channel-forming peptides (e.g., lugdunin), membrane-cytoskeleton interactions, and fusion/fission dynamics. Recent work explores SNARE-mediated fusion, actomyosin contractility, and lipid domain behavior under constrained geometries.

Awards & Fellowships:

• MPG Fellow (2017–present)
• Matter to Life Fellow (2018–present)
• Co-Speaker of the MBExC Cluster (2019–present)

Labs & Collaborations: Leads a multidisciplinary group combining organic chemistry, biophysics, and cell biology. Collaborates with the Max Planck Institute and maintains affiliations with the GGNB Graduate School programs in biomolecules and complex systems.