Lilli Winter

Lilli Winter is a Group Leader at the Medical University of Vienna, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, since 2018. Previously, she worked at the University of Vienna (2010-2016), University Hospital Erlangen (2013-2015), and Max F. Perutz Laboratories.

• Current Role: Group Leader, Division of Cell and Developmental Biology
• Key Research Areas: Plectin and desmin functions in muscular dystrophies, mitochondrial dynamics, intermediate filament networks, and protein homeostasis

Research Interests: Her work explores how cytoskeletal proteins like plectin and desmin contribute to muscle pathology and neurological disorders. She investigates protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and biomechanical properties in muscular dystrophy models.

Grant Highlights:

• 2022-2025: FWF Austrian Science Fund - Plectin function in cardiac disease
• 2019-2022: Austrian Science Fund - Molecular mechanisms of plectin-related muscular dystrophy
• 2013-2014: ELAN program - Myofibrillar myopathy research

Scientific Recognition: Junior Price 2014 from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke for neuromuscular research.

Article Trends: Over the past decade, her publications have focused on cytoskeletal protein dysfunction in muscular dystrophies, particularly plectin and desmin. Key themes include mitochondrial pathology, protein aggregation, biomechanical failure in muscle fibers, and novel therapeutic approaches like AAV-mediated gene therapy and chemical chaperones.

Collaborative Networks: Regular co-authorship with experts in muscle biology (Wiche, Goldmann), neurodegeneration (Clemen, Schröder), and cell mechanics (Fischer, Walko). Active in international workshops like the ENMC initiative on protein aggregate myopathies.