Michael Heide

Dr. Michael Heide is a Junior Research Group Leader at the German Primate Center in Göttingen, funded by an ERC Starting Grant. His research focuses on the developmental and evolutionary basis of primate neocortex morphology, particularly the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in size and folding across species. He holds a PhD from the University of Heidelberg and completed postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden.

His work employs brain organoid models to study species-specific genes like ARHGAP11B, comparing human, chimpanzee, and other primate species. Key research themes include neural stem/progenitor cell biology, evolutionary genetics, and comparative neuroanatomy. His ERC grant supports investigations into how primate-specific genes influence neocortex development.

Recent publications highlight discoveries about ARHGAP11B’s role in cortical expansion and folding, as well as single-cell genomic analyses of human brain development. His group collaborates with institutions like the MPI-CBG and the Max Planck Society.

Dr. Heide’s research integrates molecular genetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary perspectives to bridge gaps in understanding primate brain evolution. His lab is affiliated with the German Primate Center’s neurosciences and molecular biology programs.