David Suter

David Suter is an Associate Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Bioengineering (IBI-SV), leading the UPSUTER research unit focused on Gene Regulation & Cell Identity. He is based in the AI building at Station 19, Lausanne, and holds active teaching and leadership roles across multiple departments, including Life Sciences Engineering. He serves as Director of the Doctoral Program in Molecular Life Sciences (EDMS), and is a member of the Doctoral School Committee and the PhD Program Committee for Computational and Quantitative Biology.

His research centers on the quantitative analysis of gene expression dynamics and cell identity, employing cutting-edge techniques such as ultrasensitive bioluminescence imaging, fluorescent protein timers, genome editing, and high-throughput genomics (ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN). His lab investigates transcriptional memory, proteostasis, transcription factor search dynamics, and cell fate decisions using embryonic stem cells and cancer cells as model systems. These approaches enable real-time, single-cell resolution studies of transcription factor behavior, mRNA production, and protein turnover across cell divisions.

The publication trends in his work emphasize live-cell imaging, quantitative molecular biology, and systems-level understanding of gene regulation. His articles reflect a strong focus on visualizing and quantifying biological processes in living cells, particularly around transcription factors like Sox2 and their role in pluripotency and differentiation. The integration of biophysical tools with molecular biology allows his team to decode the mechanisms underlying cell identity maintenance and fate transitions.

He actively supervises PhD students, both current and past, contributing significantly to doctoral education at EPFL. His leadership in the EDMS program underscores his commitment to training the next generation of scientists in molecular and quantitative life sciences. While no specific grants are mentioned in the text, his lab's advanced technological development (e.g., bioluminescence imaging tools) suggests strong funding support.

David Suter leads the Suter Lab, a multidisciplinary research group combining molecular and cell biology with computational and biophysical methods. The lab fosters close collaborations and maintains a strong technical core in imaging and genomics, enabling innovative research on the fundamental principles of gene regulation during development and disease.