Martin Bastmeyer

Prof. Dr. Martin Bastmeyer is a Full Professor and Head of the Department for Cell- and Neurobiology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). He holds leadership roles including former Dean of the Faculty for Chemistry and Biosciences at KIT and spokesperson for the Helmholtz Society's BioInterfaces Programme. His research focuses on cell-neurobiology, mechanobiology, and advanced biomaterials, particularly 3D microscaffolds for cell studies.

• Education: Diploma in Biology (1984), PhD in Cell Biology (1989), Habilitation in Cell- and Neurobiology (1996)

Research interests include cell-matrix interactions, stem cell engineering, and biophotonics applications. He pioneered studies on neural adhesion molecules and 3D-printed biomaterials for tissue engineering. Key achievements include developing mechano-responsive hydrogels and elucidating molecular mechanisms in cardiac maturation. Awards include the Erwin-Schrödinger-Prize (2016) for interdisciplinary research. His work bridges material science and biology through innovative microfabrication techniques and functional cell niches.

• Awards: BRIDGE Fellowship (2018), Heisenberg Fellowship (1998–2001)

Prof. Bastmeyer leads interdisciplinary teams in KIT's BioInterfaces and Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP), advancing biofunctional materials and cell-mechanics research. His labs utilize cutting-edge imaging and microengineering to study cellular responses to mechanical cues and environmental stimuli.