Josef Penninger

Josef Penninger is a Professor of Genetics at the University of Vienna and Scientific Director at the Institute for Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He holds adjunct and honorary professorships at the University of Toronto and Peking Union Medical College, and serves as Vice-President of the European Research Institute on Intracellular Pathology.

• Medical University Vienna (Guest Professor)
• University of Toronto (Adjunct Full Professor, Immunology & Medical Biophysics)
• Peking Union Medical College (Honorary Professor)

His research focuses on genetic manipulation in mice to study developmental biology and disease pathogenesis, with major contributions to bone diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer research. Using Drosophila models, he explores obesity, diabetes, and innate immunity.

Scientific accolades include:

• Descartes Prize (EU's highest research award)
• ERC Advanced Grants
• AAAS Fellowship
• EMBO Membership
• Canadian Research Chair in Cell Biology

Penninger's work on ACE2, RANKL/RANK, and Cbl-b has led to novel therapeutic targets. He has pioneered haploid mouse ES cells and mitochondrial disease models, with over 385 PubMed publications and 550+ talks.