Markus Riessland

Markus Riessland is an Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine, part of the Empire Innovation Program focused on the Aging Brain. He holds a PhD from the University of Cologne, Germany, specializing in molecular biology, neuroscience, and neurodegenerative diseases. His research centers on cellular senescence in neurons, particularly post-mitotic dopaminergic neurons linked to Parkinson’s disease. He discovered that these neurons can undergo senescence, a process typically absent in non-dividing cells, which has implications for aging and neurodegeneration.

Dr. Riessland’s lab employs stem cell models, mouse studies, and advanced sequencing techniques (TRAP-seq, RNA-seq) to investigate senescence mechanisms, identify genetic modifiers influencing neuronal vulnerability, and explore therapies to counteract senescence-driven pathology. His work bridges molecular biology and clinical implications, emphasizing translational approaches for age-related diseases. Notable achievements include an F1000 Exceptional Rating for his 2017 Cell Stem Cell paper and an AJHG Editor’s Corner Highlight for his ribosome profiling study.

His research has led to insights on SATB1’s role in senescence, lipid-driven senescence in dopaminergic neurons, and midbrain inflammation in Parkinson’s. Collaborative efforts span international projects on SMA and neuroprotective modifiers like Neurocalcin Delta. While no students are listed here, his work impacts therapeutic development in neurodegenerative diseases through senolytic strategies and genetic interventions.

• Education: PhD in Molecular Biology from University of Cologne, Germany.
• Awards: F1000 Exceptional Rating (2017), AJHG Editor’s Corner Highlight (2017).
• Labs/Teams: Leads research on neuronal senescence mechanisms and therapeutic targets, integrating stem cell biology and systems biology approaches.