Mikael Simons

Professor Mikael Simons is a leading neuroscientist and W3 Professor at the Technical University Munich's Faculty of Medicine, where he serves as Director of the Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology. He also holds prominent positions at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich, including Head of Clinical Research & Clinical Trial Unit since 2020. His laboratory is located at the Center of Stroke and Dementia Research at Campus Grosshadern in Munich and maintains strong affiliations with multiple research institutions including the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research.

Prof. Simons completed his medical education at the University of Heidelberg in 1997, earning his MD thesis 'summa cum laude' under Prof. Dr. Konrad Beyreuther. He completed his neurology residency at the University of Tübingen, where he also earned his Facharzt qualification in Neurology in 2004 and Habilitation in Neurology in 2005.

His research focuses on the biology of glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes and microglia, and their roles in nervous system function and disease. Key research areas include myelin formation and regeneration, white matter aging, neuroinflammation, and the role of lipoproteins in neurodegenerative diseases. His laboratory combines genetic, molecular, biochemical, and advanced imaging techniques to investigate these processes in physiological and pathological contexts.

Analysis of Prof. Simons' recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of glial biology and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. His work demonstrates how myelin dysfunction contributes to amyloid-beta pathology and how microglial responses to white matter aging drive neurodegeneration. The research spans multiple model systems including mice, zebrafish, and human iPSC-derived cells, utilizing cutting-edge techniques like single-cell genomics, CRISPR/Cas9 screening, and advanced electron microscopy.

• National award for the best MD thesis in Germany (1995)
• EMBO Young Investigator Award (2008)
• Multiple ERC grants including Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants
• Ilse & Hans Breuer Award for Alzheimer Disease Research (2014)
• Election to the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2023)

Prof. Simons leads a substantial research team including multiple postdocs, PhD students, technicians, and clinical researchers. He has secured significant funding through collaborative research centers (TRR 274), the Adelson Medical Research Foundation, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. His laboratory is part of several hubs including the Electron Microscopic Hub and Single-cell Transcriptome Hub, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work. The lab actively investigates how glial cells contribute to brain function and how their dysfunction leads to disease, with particular emphasis on myelin biology and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative conditions.