Wolfgang Hoyer

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hoyer is a Junior Professor at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute of Physical Biology, within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He also holds a parallel appointment at IBI-7 (Structural Biochemistry), Research Center Jülich, and has led an independent research group since 2009.

Education:

• 2000–2004 PhD, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen (Labs of Tom Jovin & Vinod Subramaniam)
• 1995–2000 Diploma studies in Chemistry, Universities of Münster, York & Zürich

Research Interests:
His laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of amyloid formation underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Using an integrated toolkit of biophysical spectroscopy, single-molecule imaging, cryo-EM, and protein engineering, the group dissects the multi-step aggregation pathways of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) like α-synuclein, Aβ, and IAPP. A major focus is the design of β-wrapin artificial binding proteins that stabilize monomeric conformations, inhibit toxic oligomer formation, and prevent pathological spread of aggregates in vivo.

Themes span:
• Real-time TIRF microscopy of fibril growth
• Structural characterization of transient oligomers
• Inhibitory peptide and protein scaffolds
• Cellular seeding & toxicity assays

Publication Trends:
Over the past three years the group has published >20 papers elucidating atomic structures of amyloid fibrils, engineering novel inhibitors, and validating lead molecules in rodent models. The work bridges structural biology, computational design, and pre-clinical neuroprotection.

Scientific Awards:

• 2016 ERC Consolidator Grant
• 2016 Ulrich Hadding Research Prize
• 2009 Young Investigator Group Award, MIWF NRW
• 2008–2005 Multiple DFG & Swedish Research Council Scholarships
• 2004 Otto Hahn Medal, Max Planck Society
• 2001 Kekulé Stipend, Chemical Industry Fund
• 1998 German National Academic Foundation Scholarship

Advising & Funding:
Currently supervising four PhD students: Tatsiana Kupreichyk, Marie Schützmann, Celina Schulz, and Tina Jacob. His research is supported by the European Research Council, German Research Foundation (DFG), and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Laboratory & Collaborations:
The Hoyer Working Group is embedded in the Institute of Physical Biology, with state-of-the-art facilities for single-molecule fluorescence, cryo-EM, and protein production. Active collaborations include Research Center Jülich (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, and multiple international partners in structural biology and translational neuroscience.