Jenn Brophy is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, developing technologies for genetic engineering of plants and microbes to address environmental stress resilience and agricultural sustainability. Her lab focuses on synthetic genetic circuits for plant root reprogramming and stress response optimization. B.S. in Bioengineering, UC Berkeley (2010) Ph.D. in Biological Engineering, MIT (2016) Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University (Biology) Research spans synthetic biology, plant genetics, and microbiome engineering, emphasizing climate adaptation and sustainable biotechnology. Current projects include: Plant-microbe interaction engineering Stress-responsive biosensors High-throughput genetic tool development Plant cell atlas integration Sustainable laboratory practices Her recent publications highlight advances in recombinase circuits, root architecture engineering, and plant cell mapping, with applications in climate resilience and microbiome design. Collaborators include José Dinneny (Stanford) in plant synthetic biology research.
Sampsa Hautaniemi is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Systems Biology of Drug Resistance in Cancer research group and holds docentship in the Faculty of Medicine. Professor Hautaniemi actively supervises doctoral students across multiple programs including the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, and Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science. His research focuses on systems biology approaches to understand drug resistance mechanisms in cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. His work integrates computational biology, genomics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics to develop precision medicine approaches for cancer treatment. His laboratory develops innovative computational methods and experimental models including patient-derived organoids to study tumor evolution, identify therapeutic targets, and predict treatment responses. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution during therapy, and the development of computational tools for cancer genomics. His work spans multiple disciplines including cancer biology, computational biology, immunology, and precision medicine, with a particular focus on high-grade serous ovarian cancer as a model system. Scientific Awards: The Anders Jahre Medical Prize to young medical scientists (2014) for outstanding research on systems biology and cancer The Finnish Medical Foundation 50-years jubileum award (2010) Professor Hautaniemi has supervised numerous doctoral students and early-career researchers, contributing significantly to cancer research education. His research is supported by multiple active projects including the DECIDER project (Clinical Decision via Integrating Multiple Data Levels to Overcome Chemotherapy Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer) funded until 2026, as well as projects from the Academy of Finland, Cancer Foundation, and industry partners like Orion Corporation. His laboratory maintains a patient-derived organoid biobank for high-grade serous ovarian cancer and develops computational tools like Jellyfish for visualizing tumor evolution.
Thomas Ouldridge is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader in Biomolecular Systems at the Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. He leads the 'Principles of Biomolecular Systems' group, which focuses on theoretical and computational modeling of complex biochemical systems, particularly exploring the interplay between molecular details and emergent behaviors like sensing, replication, and self-assembly. His work integrates natural systems analysis with synthetic biology applications, aiming to engineer artificial analogs of biological processes. His research spans interdisciplinary areas including stochastic thermodynamics, DNA-based computation, and molecular reaction networks. Key affiliations include the Physics of Life, Synthetic Biology Hub, and the Leverhulme Centre for Cellular Bionics. He has contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed articles since 2009, with recent work emphasizing energy-efficient molecular information processing and thermodynamic limits of biochemical systems. Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (current). Labs/Teams: Principles of Biomolecular Systems Group, collaborating with multiple centers including the Centre for Synthetic Biology and Institute of Chemical Biology. Grants/Positions: Maintains research funding through the Royal Society and UKRI grants, focusing on non-equilibrium biomolecular systems and synthetic biology tools. Recent publications highlight advances in DNA templating networks, stochastic thermodynamic modeling of computation, and optimal protocols for molecular copying systems. His work bridges foundational physics with applied biotechnology, aiming to push the boundaries of synthetic biological engineering.
Julian Knight is a Professor of Genomic Medicine at the University of Oxford, with affiliations including the Centre for Human Genetics , Merton College , and leadership roles in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and Central and South NHS Genomic Medicine Service . His work bridges clinical practice and research, focusing on translational genomics. Principal Investigator Deputy Director, Centre for Human Genetics Honorary Consultant Physician Tutor and Fellow, Merton College Director, Medical Sciences Division Graduate School Genomic Medicine Theme Lead, NIHR Oxford BRC Research interests include mechanisms of dysregulated immune responses in sepsis , autoimmune disease , and infection . Key contributions involve RNA signature stratification for sepsis outcomes and HLA allele associations in COVID-19 immunogenicity. Current work explores genetic/epigenetic modulators of innate immunity and causal relationships in multi-omic datasets. Recent publications highlight diverse applications of his group’s work: from pleural infection endotyping (2025) to TLR7 variants in severe COVID-19 (2024), with methodological advancements in single-cell demultiplexing (2024) and pathway analysis (2025). Keywords span genomic medicine , immunology , and multi-omic integration . Knight’s leadership extends to clinical implementation of genomics, education (DPhil/MSc programs), and public engagement. Collaborations span institutions including Imperial College , Wellcome Sanger Institute , and Queen Mary University of London .
Norbert O. Reich is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. He joined UCSB in 1987 after completing his Ph.D. at UCSF in 1984 and an NIH postdoctoral fellowship there. His research focuses on enzyme mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation and telomerase, with applications in antibiotic and cancer therapy design. He also develops innovative chemical biology tools, including gold nanoshell-based drug delivery systems and fluorescence-based protein tracking methods. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry from UCSF (1984). Awards: Regent's Junior Faculty Fellowship (1987), American Cancer Society Faculty Research Award (1991), UC President's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research (1994). Research Interests: Epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation in bacteria and mammals Enzyme mechanisms of DNA methyltransferases (e.g., DNMT3A, CcrM) Design of therapeutic inhibitors targeting epigenetic enzymes Light-controlled delivery of proteins/RNA via gold nanoshells Protein-DNA interaction analysis using microfluidic arrays Awards and Recognition: His honors reflect contributions to both research and education, emphasizing his dual impact in science and teaching. Lab and Collaborations: Leads the Reich Lab, collaborating with researchers like Tom Pettus (UCSB) and Erkki Ruoslahti. Projects include antibiotic development, cancer epigenetics, and nanotechnology-driven drug delivery. Future Work: Expanding applications of nanoshell technology for targeted gene silencing and exploring allosteric inhibitors of DNMT3A for cancer treatment.
Lori Passmore is a Research Fellow at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB), part of the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine. Her work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of multi-protein complexes involved in gene expression regulation and DNA repair. Studied pre-mRNA 3′-end processing via the Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factor (CPF) complex Investigated DNA crosslink repair through the Fanconi Anemia pathway Developed cryo-EM methodologies for structural analysis Her laboratory employs a hybrid approach combining electron cryo-microscopy , X-ray crystallography, biochemical assays, and genetic techniques to elucidate complex architectures and functional dynamics. Notable discoveries include structural insights into the FANCD2-FANCI complex and mechanisms of poly(A) tail length regulation. Current research spans topics such as: 3′-end processing coordination mRNA deadenylation pathways DNA replication stress responses Protein complex assembly principles Lori Passmore's group includes trainees and staff studying these fundamental biological processes. Their work contributes to understanding gene regulation, RNA metabolism, and DNA repair mechanisms critical for preventing diseases like cancer.
Prof. Torsten Ochsenreiter is a Group Leader at the Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, and part of the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID). His research focuses on molecular parasitology, particularly on trypanosomes and malaria parasites, utilizing advanced microscopy techniques to study fundamental biological processes. His primary research interests include mitochondrial biogenesis, kinetoplast genome maintenance, RNA editing mechanisms, and cytoskeletal dynamics in Trypanosoma brucei . He investigates how mitochondrial DNA is segregated during cell division and how post-translational modifications regulate parasite transmission. His work bridges cell biology, structural biology, and infectious disease research to understand pathogenic mechanisms in neglected tropical diseases. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the tripartite attachment complex (TAC), mitochondrial genome inheritance, and expansion microscopy applications. His research demonstrates how structural adaptations in parasite organelles enable survival and transmission, with significant implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies against African sleeping sickness and malaria. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Prof. Ochsenreiter advises students and leads an active research team at the University of Bern. The Ochsenreiter lab provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in cutting-edge parasitology research, though specific grant funding details were not provided in the text. The Ochsenreiter lab operates within the Institute of Cell Biology and specializes in molecular parasitology techniques including expansion microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, and genetic manipulation of trypanosomes. The team investigates mitochondrial biology and cytoskeletal organization to uncover vulnerabilities in parasite life cycles.
Mikhail Gelfand is a Full Professor and Director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), where he also serves as Vice President for Biomedical Research. His distinguished career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics. His educational background includes: 1985: MSc in mathematics (functional analysis) 1993: PhD in physics-mathematics (biophysics) 1998: DSc in biology (molecular biology) 2007: full professor (bioinformatics) Professor Gelfand's research focuses on molecular evolution, comparative genomics, systems biology, and metagenomics. His work examines eukaryotic processes including alternative splicing, mRNA editing, and chromatin structure, as well as bacterial genome evolution and transcription regulation. His lab combines data on three-dimensional chromatin structure, epigenetic states, and gene expression to obtain an integrated view of genome functioning across diverse organisms from humans to amoebae. One major research direction focuses on the evolution of transcript splicing and editing, while comparative analysis of bacterial genomes yields functional annotations of novel enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on RNA editing in cephalopods, bacterial genome analysis, and computational approaches to understanding chromatin structure. The work spans molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on how RNA editing contributes to adaptation and molecular evolution across metazoans. His research shows how edited adenines are more frequently substituted with guanine in evolution than their unedited counterparts, suggesting RNA editing may enhance adaptation. His notable awards include: The President of Russian Federation's Award for Young Doctors of Science (2000) The "Best Scientist of the Russian Academy of Sciences" award (2004) A. A. Baev Prize in Genomics and Genoinformatics (2007) Member of Academia Europaea (2010) As Director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Professor Gelfand leads a research group that combines computational and experimental approaches to study genome function and evolution. His lab's work has significant implications for understanding molecular mechanisms of evolution and adaptation across diverse biological systems, from bacteria to complex eukaryotes. His research on metagenomics extends to practical applications in areas including coral disease, aphids, and oil wells.
Dr. Shelley Wickham is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Sydney, holding joint appointments in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics. She serves as a Westpac Research Fellow and leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the Sydney Nano Institute. Dr. Wickham is also co-Champion of the Sydney Nano Institute Grand Challenge project in Molecular Nanorobotics for Health, co-lead of the School of Physics Grand Challenge on Nanoscale brain navigation for targeted drug delivery, and faculty mentor of the University of Sydney BIOMOD team. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physics from University of Sydney PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from University of Oxford Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wyss Institute Dr. Wickham's research focuses on self-assembling nanotechnology and molecular robotics, particularly in the design and assembly of programmable nanostructures out of DNA. Her work spans applications in cell biology, materials science, and nanomedicine. Current research projects include design and synthesis of self-assembling DNA nanostructures, proto-cells made of DNA gels that move under flow, new plasma fabrication methods for biomolecule micropatterning, and DNA computation circuits for navigating the brain using machine learning. Her research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Molecules to Materials, Preventing and Treating Disease & Disorder, and Next Generation Materials. Analysis of Dr. Wickham's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on DNA nanotechnology with increasing sophistication in structural complexity and biological applications. Her work has evolved from fundamental DNA origami structures to increasingly complex multi-component systems with practical applications in nanomedicine and biomimetic engineering. Recent publications show strong interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering disciplines, with emphasis on real-world applications including drug delivery systems and biomolecular sensors. ARC DECRA Fellow Westpac Research Fellow BIOMOD World Champions (2019) Dr. Wickham actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in her DNA nanotechnology group. She has secured significant research funding including ARC Discovery Projects, Westpac Scholarships, and NSW Health grants. Her current grants support projects such as '3D Bio-Nanomaterial Displays with Designer Architectures and Functions' and 'RNA aptamer sensing devices for rapid detection of blood clotting.' Dr. Wickham encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and maintains active collaborations with researchers at Harvard, Oxford, and other international institutions. Dr. Wickham leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the University of Sydney, which is part of the Sydney Nano Institute. Her lab focuses on building tools from DNA origami - including tweezers, spanners, wrenches and springs - to better understand biological processes at the nanoscale. The group has achieved notable success with the BIOMOD team winning world championships in 2019, and continues to develop innovative approaches to molecular robotics for healthcare applications.
Vinothan N. Manoharan is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Department of Physics at Harvard University. He joined Harvard in 2005 after a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research bridges colloidal science, biophysics, and materials engineering, focusing on self-assembly processes and advanced imaging techniques.
Pavel P. Kuksa is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, specializing in bioinformatics, computer science, and functional genomics. His work focuses on high-throughput sequencing analysis, chromatin interaction data, and developing scalable software platforms for genomics research.
Christopher D. Lima is a Professor and Chair of the Structural Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He holds the Alfred P. Sloan Chair. His research focuses on understanding the structural, biochemical, and functional mechanisms of macromolecules involved in post-translational protein modification by ubiquitin-like proteins (e.g., SUMO) and RNA processing pathways, including co- and post-transcriptional RNA maturation and decay. His lab employs cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, and biochemical reconstitution to study these processes. Education: PhD, 1994, Northwestern University BA, 1989, The Ohio State University Research Interests: Structural basis of ubiquitin and SUMO conjugation pathways Mechanisms of RNA surveillance and decay by the nuclear exosome Role of RNA processing in cell cycle control and disease Interactions between RNA helicases and exosome complexes Awards & Honors: Member, National Academy of Sciences (2020) Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017) HHMI Investigator (2013) Louise and Allston Boyer Young Investigator (2006) Advising & Grants: Lima mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His lab has received funding from the NIH, HHMI, and other institutions to support research into RNA processing and ubiquitin pathways. He collaborates widely, including with teams at MSKCC and other academic institutions. Labs & Teams: The Lima Lab is part of the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology and the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School. The lab has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding SUMOylation and RNA exosome mechanisms, with key findings published in Nature , Cell , and Science .
Professor Michael Thompson is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. He holds the Dwight C. Baum Professorship in Engineering and specializes in advanced materials processing, particularly semiconductor materials under pulsed laser exposure. His research focuses on transient thermal processing (nanosecond to sub-second timescales) for material property modification and characterization, with applications in semiconductors, EUV lithography, and photonic materials. Thompson has authored over 120 papers and 20 patents, emphasizing industrial challenges like front-end junction formation and flexible electronics. Education: B.S. in Physics (CalTech, 1979), M.S./Ph.D. in Physics (Cornell, 1982/1984). He has received prestigious awards including the North American Award for Technical Contribution to the Semiconductor Industry (2009), multiple Cornell Excellence in Teaching Awards, and the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow designation (2021). His teaching focuses on thermodynamics and electronic properties, with a commitment to making abstract concepts accessible through real-world examples. Service: Leads curriculum development, ABET accreditation, and industry outreach. His lab develops novel methods for autonomous materials discovery using AI-driven approaches. Current projects include laser spike annealing for semiconductor doping and high-throughput synthesis of metastable materials.
Senani N.H. Rathnayake is a Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Faculty of Science. He completed his PhD at UTS (2019-2024) and held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Groningen (2023-2024). His primary research focuses on respiratory diseases, particularly the molecular mechanisms of smoking-induced lung damage, COPD, and asthma. Key areas include gene expression profiling, epigenetic changes, and cellular responses to cigarette smoke exposure. Research Interests: Transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations in lung diseases Smoking cessation effects on airway biology Genetic regulation of COPD biomarkers (e.g., sRAGE) Sex chromosome influences on respiratory disease susceptibility Awards & Fellowships: 2023 TSANZ Past Presidents Scholarship Award 2022-2023 European Respiratory Society Short-Term Fellowship Recent Research Trends: His articles emphasize smoking's impact on bronchial epithelial cells, including transcriptomic shifts, mucus barrier dynamics, and CRISPR-based gene-editing applications. Recent work explores Y-chromosome effects on COPD and asthma pathogenesis. Professional Engagement: Co-chair of the 2023 TSANZ Annual Scientific Conference Member of Australian Society for Medical Research, European Respiratory Society, and Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
Prof. Dr. Job Boekhoven is an Associate Professor at the Department of Bioscience , TUM School of Natural Sciences , Technical University of Munich . His research focuses on synthetic life , chemically fueled self-assembly , and supramolecular materials , aiming to synthesize life from scratch. Research Interests include creating synthetic cells that compete for resources, replicate, and undergo Darwinian evolution . His lab designs molecules like lipids , peptides , and nucleic acids that self-assemble into active compartments regulated by chemical energy. These systems exhibit life-like hallmarks such as emergence , self-division , and controllable lifetimes . Scientific Awards include: ERC Consolidator Grant (2024) Lecturer Award by Association of the Chemical Industry (2024) ERC Starting Grant (2019) Volkswagen Foundation 'Life?' Grant (2019) Max Planck Fellow (2019) VCI Dozentenpreis (2021) Thieme Chemistry Journal Award (2017) Rubicon Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013) Publications highlight trends in nonequilibrium materials , dynamic combinatorial libraries , and protocell engineering . His work bridges synthetic chemistry with biophysics to explore life's origins and applications in materials science .
