Jens-Karl Eilers

Prof. Dr. Jens-Karl Eilers is a Professor of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He served as Managing Director of the Carl Ludwig Institute of Physiology from 2005 to 2022 and is currently the Vice-Rector for Excellence Development: Research and Transfer since April 2022. His academic journey includes a medical degree and doctorate from the University of Lübeck, and habilitation at Saarland University. He conducted research as a Heisenberg Fellow at Duke University and the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research.

His research focuses on neurophysiology, particularly the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal signal processing and neurotransmitter release. He employs high-resolution light microscopy, including two-photon imaging, to study these processes in live preparations. His work bridges fundamental neuroscience with implications for neurodegenerative diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, with a focus on synaptic dysfunction, motor neuron pathology, and molecular pathways involving p53, SMN, and neurotrophic signaling. These studies utilize mouse models and advanced imaging and electrophysiological techniques, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to understanding motor circuit pathology.

Among his scientific honors is the prestigious Heisenberg Fellowship from the DFG. He has held leadership roles in key research initiatives, including the Graduate School 'Brain Dynamics' and the 'Human and Brain' research profile area at Leipzig University. He was also a member of the DFG Review Board for Neuroscience from 2012 to 2020.

Prof. Eilers has supervised doctoral students and contributed significantly to medical education, teaching physiology to students in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. He has been involved in curriculum development and academic governance, including serving as Dean of Studies at the Faculty of Medicine from 2005 to 2008.

He has led externally funded research projects and collaborated with international scientists. His lab has been supported by major funding bodies, and his work has been published in high-impact journals such as Cell Reports, Nature Neuroscience, and Science Translational Medicine.