Matthias W. Hentze

Matthias W. Hentze is a leading scientist in molecular biology and RNA research, holding key positions as Director and Senior Scientist at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) since 2013 and 1998, respectively. He is also a PartTime Lecturer at Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg's Medical Faculty since 2005 and co-director of the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit since 2002. His career spans roles as EMBL Associate Director (2005–2013), Dean of Graduate Studies (1996–2005), and Group Leader (1989–present).

• Education: M.D. from Westfaelische-Wilhelms-University Muenster (1984) and habilitation in Medical Molecular Biology at Heidelberg (1990).

Dr. Hentze's research focuses on RNA biology, translational control, and iron homeostasis. He pioneered discoveries on RNA-binding proteins, iron-responsive elements, and microRNA-mediated translation inhibition. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with systemic metabolism regulation.

His publications since 1987 highlight groundbreaking contributions to RNA structure-function relationships, translational control, and iron metabolism. Themes include microRNA mechanisms (2007), mRNA-binding proteomes (2012), and iron regulatory protein functions (1987, 1992, 1998).

• Scientific Awards: Otto Warburg Medal (2025), RNA Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), Leibniz Prize (2000), EMBO Membership (1997), and others.