Ursula Klingmüller

Prof. Dr. Ursula Klingmüller is a Professor at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and Head of the Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction (B200) at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg since 2007. She holds a Venia Legendi in Cell Biology (Heidelberg University, 2004) and Molecular Biology & Genetics (University of Freiburg, 2000). Her career spans leadership roles in systems biology, integrating computational and experimental approaches to understand cellular signaling networks in cancer and other diseases.

• Education:
  • Diploma in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Virology (University of Heidelberg, 1988)
  • Bachelor of Science (University of Bayreuth, 1985)
  • Doctoral Thesis in Molecular Biology (Heidelberg University, 1992)

Research Interests focus on systems biology approaches to signal transduction, particularly the JAK2/STAT5, AKT/ERK, and TGF-β pathways, their roles in cell proliferation, cancer invasion, and dynamic threshold regulation. Her work emphasizes computational modeling of signaling networks and their integration with clinical applications in precision medicine.

Key Scientific Contributions include elucidating the context-specific dynamics of ERK phosphorylation, defining the regulatory roles of BAMBI in TGF-β signaling, and advancing personalized dose prediction models for erythropoietin therapies. Her publications reflect interdisciplinary research bridging molecular mechanisms with quantitative modeling.

• Scientific Awards:
  • FEBS Anniversary Prize (1997)
  • DAAD-Fellowship (1986)
  • DFG-Research Fellowship (1993-1994)
  • Election to the German Ethics Council (2016)

Labs & Teams include the Systems Biology of Signal Transduction division at DKFZ, collaborations with the German Cancer Research Center, and leadership in the Master Program Molecular Biosciences at Heidelberg University. She also serves on editorial boards, including as Associate Editor for Nature Systems Biology and Applications, and chairs the Executive Women's Initiative at DKFZ.