Thomas Leonard

Thomas Leonard is a tenured Professor at the Max Perutz Labs (University of Vienna), where he leads a research group focused on lipid-mediated signal transduction and structural mechanisms of kinase regulation. His lab combines structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to dissect how cells integrate spatial and temporal signals.

• PhD in Structural Biology (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge)
• Postdoctoral work at NIH, Bethesda

His research explores how lipid second messengers like PIP3 and PI3P control kinases such as Akt, PDK1, and Sgk3, with implications for cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, and metabolic diseases. Recent work redefined PHLPP1/2 as pseudophosphatases and revealed novel activation mechanisms in Protein Kinase D (PKD) and DMPK kinases.

The lab's publication trends highlight structural phylogenomics, membrane scaffolding, and allosteric regulation. Collaborations with institutions like LMU Munich and FWF-funded projects underscore their interdisciplinary approach.

• Lab Manager: Ronja Reinhardt
• PhD Students: Sumire Antonioli, Magdalena Otto, Lucas Piech, Eva Krotenheerdt, Felix Wolkenstein
• Master Students: Gabriela Ariza, Emese Galgóczi, Stefan Lenz

The lab actively recruits at Master, PhD, and Postdoc levels for molecular signaling research.