Matthias Altmeyer

Prof. Dr. Matthias Altmeyer is an Associate Professor in Quantitative Cell Biology at the University of Zurich's Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease. His research focuses on genome integrity maintenance, particularly how cells respond to DNA damage and replication stress in cancer and aging. He leads a multidisciplinary lab combining molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced imaging techniques.

Altmeyer studied Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Konstanz and completed his PhD in Zurich's Molecular Life Sciences program. He held postdoctoral positions at the Danish Cancer Society and University of Copenhagen, supported by EMBO and Danish Research Council fellowships. Key career milestones include an SNSF Assistant Professorship (2014) and an ERC Starting Grant (2016).

His research interests include genome instability's role in cancer, mechanobiology of DNA repair, and the interplay between replication stress and chromatin dynamics. Recent work explores RPA condensates' role in telomere maintenance and the impact of cell size on genome stability. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications reflect expertise in DNA damage response, poly-ADP-ribosylation, and PARP inhibitor mechanisms.

Grants and awards include the ERC Starting Grant, SNSF funding, and collaborations with institutions like the European Research Council and Zurich's Cancer Research Center. Current lab members include PhD students Julia Vornberger and Virginia Pasti, and Ambizione Fellow Sandhya Manohar.