Pal Westermark

Pal Westermark is a researcher and Head of the Department of Bioinformatics and Biomathematics at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf, Germany, a position he has held since 2016. He leads the Chronobiology and Bioinformatics Working Group and has previously held research and leadership roles at the Institute of Theoretical Biology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

• Doctorate (2005): Models of the Metabolism of the Pancreatic β-Cell, KTH Stockholm, Sweden
• Master's Degree (1999): Molecular Biotechnology, Uppsala University, Sweden

His research focuses on circadian rhythms in animals, regulation of gene expression and metabolic pathways, tissue homeostasis, biogerontology, and the application of time series analysis, control theory, and biostatistics to biological systems. He employs mathematical modeling and bioinformatics to understand the dynamics of biological clocks and their impact on metabolism and physiology.

The trends in his recent publications reveal a strong focus on circadian biology, particularly in muscle and liver tissues, using transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic approaches. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental data to dissect the mechanisms of circadian regulation, including promoter architecture, rhythmic degradation, and the effects of exercise. He has also contributed methodological tools like the RAIN algorithm and Seagull for analyzing biological rhythms and high-dimensional data.

While no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals such as PNAS, PLoS Genetics, and The Journal of Physiology underscores his significant contributions to the field.

Dr. Westermark mentors researchers within his working group and leads a research team focused on chronobiology and bioinformatics. His work is supported by institutional funding, though specific grants are not listed. His research program combines theoretical and computational approaches to advance understanding of biological timing systems.

He is actively involved in leading the Chronobiology and Bioinformatics Working Group at FBN, which conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, mathematics, and computer science. The team develops and applies computational models and bioinformatics tools to study circadian rhythms and their implications for animal and human health.