Thomas Reinard

Thomas Reinard is a Researcher at Leibniz University Hannover’s Institute of Plant Genetics, specializing in molecular biochemistry and diatom-based antibody production. He founded PHAEOSYNT GmbH to commercialize vegan diagnostic antibodies, with the first pregnancy test launching in 2025.

His research engineers Phaeodactylum tricornutum diatoms for pharmaceutical protein synthesis, achieving yields comparable to mammalian cells. Projects include CRISPR-mediated allergen removal in mustard (Bra j I) and BMBF-funded AniSAn animal-free secondary antibodies. The spin-off won top prize at Startup Impulse 2025.

Reinard teaches molecular biology and bioinformatics using inverted classrooms and digital tools. His textbook Molecular Biological Methods (2021, 3rd ed.) standardizes contemporary laboratory protocols. He coordinates the ISAP exchange with Northeastern University and advised award-winning iGEM teams on synthetic biology projects.