Theresia Stradal

Prof. Dr. Theresia Stradal is a full Professor at the Technische Universität Braunschweig and Head of the Department of Cell Biology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, Germany. She holds a W3 professorship in the Institute for Zoology and leads a research group focused on host-pathogen interactions, particularly how bacterial pathogens manipulate the host actin cytoskeleton and autophagy pathways.

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria (2000)
• Postdoctoral work at Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung (now HZI)
• W2 Professorship at University of Münster (2009–2014)
• W3 Professorship at TU Braunschweig (2014–present)
• Head of Department, Cell Biology, HZI (2014–present)

Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of infection, particularly actin cytoskeleton dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, and autophagy regulation. She investigates how pathogens like Salmonella and Yersinia hijack host cell signaling to promote invasion and survival. Her group also studies natural products such as cytochalasins and drimane sesquiterpenoids that modulate cytoskeletal and autophagic processes.

Her recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on cytoskeletal remodeling, WAVE regulatory complex signaling, actin-based motility, and the discovery of bioactive fungal metabolites. There is a clear trend toward understanding the intersection of autophagy and cytoskeletal dynamics in both infection and cancer contexts, using chemical biology and cell imaging approaches.

Prof. Stradal has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom are co-authors on her publications. While no specific grants are listed in the text, her sustained research output and leadership role at HZI suggest significant funding support. She has not received explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text.

She leads a research team at HZI’s Cell Biology department, collaborating closely with structural biologists, microbiologists, and chemists. Her lab investigates molecular mechanisms of infection using advanced cell biological and imaging techniques, often in conjunction with natural product chemistry and pharmacological tools.