Vigo Heissmeyer

Vigo Heissmeyer is a Professor at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and leads the Department of Molecular Immunoregulation at Helmholtz Munich. His research focuses on decoding molecular mechanisms of T-cell-mediated immune responses, aiming to develop future therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.

• PhD in Signal Transduction at MDC Berlin
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School

His work centers on post-transcriptional gene regulation via RNA-binding proteins and mRNA modifications in T cells, exploring their roles in development, activation, differentiation, and effector/memory cell formation. This research bridges pathogen defense, tumor immunity, and dysregulation leading to autoimmunity/inflammation.

Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding T-cell receptor signaling, RNA modifications (e.g., N6-adenosine methylation), and immune checkpoint mechanisms (e.g., Roquin-1/Regnase-1 interactions). Themes include immunotherapy, autoimmune disease, and RNA biology.

• 2011: ERC Starting Grant

Heissmeyer’s group utilizes mouse models and primary cell systems, integrating molecular and cellular immunology with biochemical approaches to study immune regulation. Collaborations with institutions like Harvard Medical School and Helmholtz Zentrum München underscore his interdisciplinary focus.