Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchGermany
Omer Bayraktar is a Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute , leading research in the Cellular Genomics Programme. His work focuses on decoding human brain cellular diversity using spatial transcriptomics , imaging , and functional screening to study neural complexity in health and disease. Bayraktar's educational background includes a PhD from HHMI under Chris Doe, investigating neural diversity development in Drosophila , followed by postdoctoral work at University of California, San Francisco and University of Cambridge as a Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellow. He developed a spatial transcriptomic pipeline during his postdoc to analyze astrocyte heterogeneity in the cerebral cortex. His research explores neural cell type mapping , glial-neuronal interactions , and cellular pathways in neurodevelopmental disorders . Recent publications emphasize 3D tissue mapping , multi-omic integration , and computational tools like Cell2fate and WebAtlas. His work bridges neurogenetics and computational biology to advance understanding of human tissue ecosystems. Bayraktar's lab collaborates with the Human Cell Atlas initiative and develops technologies such as automated histology pipelines and highly-multiplexed smFISH for molecular cell typing. His team also investigates glia-based therapies and astrocyte functional heterogeneity in neurodevelopmental contexts. Key scientific contributions include: Discovering astrocyte layer patterns independent of neuronal laminae Developing cell2location for spatial cell mapping Characterizing Drosophila neural stem cell models with human relevance Notable awards include the Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellowship during his postdoctoral training. His current group includes a PhD student , Senior Data Scientists , and Bioinformaticians .
Prof. Dr. Simon Schäfer leads the Schäfer Lab at the Technische Universität München , focusing on engineering advanced organoid systems to study human brain development, disease modeling, and repair mechanisms. His work bridges stem cell biology, gene editing, and bioengineering to develop personalized therapies for brain disorders. Stem Cell & Organoid Technology Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms Neurodegenerative Disease Models Gene Editing & Neuroimmune Interactions Translational Neuroscience Recent research emphasizes brain organoid development, microglia phenotypes, and neurodevelopmental timing anomalies in autism. His team’s work also explores zika virus interactions with glioblastoma stem cells and neuronal plasticity in psychiatric disorders. Scientific awards and funding include support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy). Collaborations span institutions like the TUM Center for Organoid Systems. Advises 6 students (2 PhD, 1 MSc, 3 associated) Labs include Schäfer Lab, COS@TranslaTUM Contact: simon.schafer@tum.de
Bertram Müller-Myhsok is a Research Professor and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany. His research focuses on statistical genetics and transcriptomic data analysis in psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and their treatment responses. He integrates machine learning with genetic and clinical data to develop predictive models and stratified treatment approaches. Professional activities include leadership roles in the International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry and collaborations with institutions like the Institut du Cerveau (Paris) and Bernhard Nocht Institute (Hamburg). His work spans genetic epidemiology, psychiatric genomics, and precision medicine, with over 400 publications in high-impact journals. Key research areas include identifying genetic risk factors for mental disorders, developing polygenic scores, and leveraging omics data to uncover disease mechanisms. He leads projects like Psych-STRATA, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative advancing personalized psychiatry through pharmacogenomics.
Dennis Nestvogel is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany, where he leads research in the department of Neural Dynamics and Behavior. His work focuses on understanding how behavioral states such as arousal, attention, and stress modulate sensory processing and decision-making in the brain. Research Interests: Dr. Nestvogel's research centers on thalamocortical network dynamics, brain oscillations, and state-dependent neural activity. He investigates how these processes influence sensory-guided behavior and how their disruption contributes to psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, ADHD, and PTSD. His approach integrates in vivo intracellular recordings, high-density neural recordings, optogenetics, and mouse behavioral paradigms. Publication Trends: His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the neural mechanisms underlying waking states, sensory processing, and cortical dynamics. Themes include alpha oscillations, synaptic regulation, neuromodulation, and the impact of genetic mutations on stress sensitivity in psychiatric conditions. His work bridges molecular, systems, and cognitive neuroscience. Scientific Contributions: Investigating how behavioral states gate sensory input in the cortex Elucidating the role of thalamocortical circuits in arousal and attention Linking synaptic proteins like CAPS-1 to sensory adaptation Exploring genetic underpinnings of stress sensitivity in bipolar disorder Advising and Grants: While no students are listed, Dr. Nestvogel leads an independent research group, indicating leadership in mentoring junior scientists and managing research projects. His affiliation with the Max Planck Institute suggests access to substantial institutional funding and collaborative resources. Labs and Teams: He heads the research group within the Neural Dynamics and Behavior unit at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, collaborating closely with leading neuroscientists such as David A. McCormick. His lab utilizes cutting-edge techniques to probe brain function in awake, behaving animals.
Nikolaus Rajewsky is a leading Professor at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin , where he founded and directs the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB) . His lab integrates experimental (biochemistry, molecular biology) and computational (bioinformatics, physics) approaches to study RNA regulation in gene expression , with applications to developmental biology, regeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer . Using model systems like C. elegans , planaria, and human brain organoids, his team pioneers cutting-edge methods such as MirDeep , DistMap , and FLAM-seq for RNA analysis. His research focuses on single-cell transcriptomics , spatial RNA sequencing , and circular RNA (circRNA) regulation , revealing novel roles for circRNAs like CDR1as in neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent work includes 3D tumor microenvironment mapping and computational modeling of RNA metabolism in diseases. Scientific Awards : Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2012) EMBO Membership (2010) Honorary PhD, Sapienza University of Rome (2014) Berlin Science Award (2009) His team's recent articles highlight breakthroughs in 3D spatial transcriptomics , circRNA degradation mechanisms , and mitochondrial disease modeling using human brain organoids. The lab actively collaborates with clinical partners across Charité and European institutions, driving the LifeTime initiative for cell-based interceptive medicine.
Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society (associated institute)Germany
Dr. Hermann Cuntz is an Independent Group Leader at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in cooperation with the Max Planck Society. He is also a Research Fellow at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) since 2014 and affiliated with the Goethe University Frankfurt via the Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy . His email address is hermann.neuro@gmail.com , and he is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Research Focus: Dr. Cuntz investigates principles of neuronal wiring, aiming to decode the "connection code" of the brain. His work bridges morphology and function using computational tools, mathematical laws, and morphological modeling. Key areas include dendritic constancy , structural plasticity , connectomics , and neuroinformatics , with applications in understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Education: PhD from the University of California at Berkeley and Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology (2000-2004). Diploma in biology from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (1994-2000). Recent Publications highlight research trends in dendritic structure, pattern separation, synaptic spine distribution, and cortical folding. His lab develops the TREES Toolbox , a MATLAB-based framework for neuronal morphology analysis. Scientific Awards: Bernstein Award (2013-2019) DFG Eigene Stelle (2014-2016) Feodor Lynen Fellowship (Alexander von Humboldt, 2006-2008) Minerva Fellowship (2004-2005) Wellcome Image Award (2011) 1st Prize Poster Competition, UCL Neuroscience Symposium (2010) Advising and Grants: Dr. Cuntz mentors numerous PhD and Master’s students, including Marcel Beining , Mariuss Schneider , and Marvin Weigand . His lab receives funding from the DFG , Bernstein Award , and collaborations with institutions like the 3R-Center Giessen and Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs (ICAR3R) . Labs and Collaborations: The Cuntz Lab specializes in computational neuroanatomy, with alumni working globally in academia and industry. Key collaborators include Prof. Peter Jedlicka (Justus Liebig University), Prof. Gaia Tavosanis (DZNE Bonn), and Prof. Alexander Borst (MPI Neurobiology).
Prof. Julijana Gjorgjieva is a tenured W3 Professor of Computational Neuroscience at the School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich (TUM). She leads an independent research group at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and is affiliated with the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the principles governing neural circuit development, balancing learning plasticity with functional stability through computational and theoretical approaches. Key interests include synaptic organization, energy-efficient neural computation, and evolutionary optimality principles. Education & Career: B.Sc. Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College (2006) M.A.St. in Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2007) Ph.D. Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2011) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Harvard University (2011-2014), Brandeis University (2014-2016) Max Planck Research Group Leader (2016-2022) W2/W3 Professor at TUM since 2016 Research Interests: Computational neuroscience, theoretical modeling of neural circuits, synaptic plasticity mechanisms, homeostatic regulation, and the interplay of development and evolution in shaping brain architecture. She employs mathematical frameworks to study how circuits achieve robustness while enabling adaptive learning. Awards: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2022) Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientist Prize (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2018) Multiple postdoctoral and early-career fellowships Grants & Funding: Includes DFG Collaborative Research Center on Neural Homeostasis, HFSP grants, and EU Horizon 2020 initiatives. Active in mentoring and promoting computational neuroscience through programs like Neuromatch Academy. Labs & Collaborations: Leads a multidisciplinary lab integrating experimental and theoretical approaches. Collaborates with institutions such as the Max Planck Society and international computational neuroscience networks.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Jakob Körbelin is a Principal Investigator at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and the II. Medical Clinic and Polyclinic. His research focuses on vascular biology, gene therapy, and neurological disorders, particularly targeting the blood-brain barrier using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. He leads studies on pulmonary hypertension, neurovascular interactions, and genetic diseases like Niemann-Pick type C2. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, emphasizing AAV engineering and therapeutic applications. Key research interests include endothelial cell biology, neuroinflammation, and the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Notably, he received the UCCH Hubertus Wald Young Investigator Award 2013 for his contributions. His lab explores mechanisms of vascular dysfunction, gene delivery optimization, and the impact of viral vectors in treating rare diseases. Collaborations span molecular neurobiology, immunology, and translational oncology. Publications highlight breakthroughs in AAV-mediated therapies, such as reversing neurodegeneration in NPC2 models and identifying novel targets for pulmonary hypertension. Ongoing projects address microvascular brain pathology in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the role of transcription factors in vascular diseases.
Siegrid Löwel is a Full Professor of Systems Neuroscience at the University of Göttingen, affiliated with the Department of Systems Neuroscience within the Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute for Zoology and Anthropology. She is also a Board Member of the Göttingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks since 2021, highlighting her leadership in interdisciplinary neuroscience research. Her educational background includes a Dr. phil. nat. from the University of Frankfurt am Main, completed under Prof. Wolf Singer at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. Her career includes professorships at the University of Jena (2005–2010), a guest professorship at Magdeburg, and a research associate professorship at the University of California, San Francisco. Siegrid Löwel's research focuses on the development and plasticity of neuronal circuits in the mammalian cortex. Her lab employs optical and 2-photon imaging, electrophysiology, and viral gene knockdown to study how experience and learning shape neural networks. Her work has pivotal implications for brain regeneration and rehabilitation after injury or disease. She was among the first to demonstrate that correlated neural activity underlies long-range cortical circuit development—famously summarized as 'neurons that fire together, wire together.' The recent publications reflect a strong focus on structural and functional cortical plasticity, particularly in the visual system. Themes include silent synapses, critical period regulation, optogenetic interventions for blindness, and the impact of environmental enrichment and exercise on neural plasticity. These studies span molecular, cellular, and systems levels, contributing to both basic neuroscience and translational applications. Scientific awards and recognitions include: Hertie Excellence Program Scholarship in Neurosciences (2004–2005) Dorothea Erxleben Guest Professorship, University of Magdeburg (2003–2004) Löwel leads an active research group and is affiliated with the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences (GGNB) in multiple programs, including Systems Neuroscience and Sensory and Motor Neuroscience. She has secured long-term research support through institutional roles and collaborative networks. While specific grant details are not listed, her sustained publication record and leadership positions indicate robust funding and research activity. Her lab continues to explore mechanisms of neural plasticity with potential clinical applications in stroke recovery, amblyopia, and neurodegenerative conditions. She is associated with the research group homepage: http://systemsneuroscience.uni-goettingen.de .
Michael Nothnagel is a Professor at the University of Cologne, where he leads the Department of Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics within the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG). His work spans statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and forensic genetics, focusing on methodological development and large-scale genomic data analysis. His research interests encompass theoretical and applied statistical genetics, with emphasis on human genetic diversity, disease etiology, and forensic applications. Key areas include Y-chromosomal phylogeography, genome-wide association studies for complex diseases, development of statistical methods for variant interpretation, and forensic marker optimization. His group leverages next-generation sequencing data and specialized forensic markers to address questions in population history, disease mechanisms, and identification systems. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on computational approaches to genetic analysis, including spatial frequency interpolation for haplogroup mapping, polygenic risk score applications for behavioral traits, and advanced methods for variant classification. His work demonstrates consistent integration of statistical theory with practical applications in medical and forensic genetics, often through international collaborations like the VISAGE Consortium. Nothnagel maintains active involvement in the Cologne Center for Genomics, contributing to seminars and collaborative projects including the upcoming 34th International Genetic Epidemiology Society meeting. His research group operates at the intersection of computational biology and medicine, with particular strengths in handling complex genomic datasets and developing novel analytical frameworks for genetic epidemiology.
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchGermany
Dr. Hilary Martin is a Group Leader in Human Genetics at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and a College Research Associate at St John's College, Cambridge. Her research focuses on medical and population genomics, analyzing high-throughput sequence and genotype data from large cohorts to address various medical and population genetic questions. She leads the Martin Group which studies the genetic architecture of rare and common disorders in diverse populations, with particular emphasis on populations with high levels of parental relatedness. BSc (Human Genetics) from the University of Queensland, Australia PhD from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics in Oxford Postdoctoral research at Sanger Institute with Jeff Barrett Group Leader at Sanger Institute since September 2018 Dr. Martin's research program spans several key areas in human genetics. Her group analyzes large-scale genetic and electronic health record data to explore fine-scale population structure, its impact on disease risk, and the genetic architecture of both rare and complex diseases. A particular focus is on populations with high levels of parental relatedness (consanguinity), where her team investigates how autozygosity affects disease risk across the phenotypic spectrum. Her work on developmental disorders examines the role of rare recessive variants and polygenic risk, while her research with South Asian populations explores the genetic basis of cardiometabolic diseases. Analyzing her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward multi-ancestry studies, particularly focusing on British Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations through the Genes & Health project. Her research increasingly integrates rare variant analysis with polygenic risk scores to understand the full genetic architecture of complex traits. There's also a growing emphasis on understanding how population structure, consanguinity, and founder effects influence disease risk across diverse populations. Her work bridges fundamental population genetics with clinical applications, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders and cardiometabolic diseases. Extensive publication record in top journals including Nature, Cell, and Nature Genetics Leadership in major collaborative projects like Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Key contributions to understanding the role of consanguinity in disease architecture Development of methods for analyzing recessive variants in diverse populations Dr. Martin leads a dynamic research group comprising PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff scientists. Her group works closely with multiple large-scale studies including the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), Millennium Cohort Study, Born in Bradford, Deciphering Developmental Disorders study, Genomics England, and Genes & Health. She maintains strong collaborations with clinical and research teams across the UK and internationally, particularly with groups studying South Asian populations. Her research has secured significant funding through institutional support and collaborative grants that enable large-scale genomic analyses. The Martin Group operates within the Human Genetics Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, maintaining close ties with the Hurles Group and other related teams. They collaborate extensively with the East London Genes and Health project, which is one of the world's largest community-based genetics studies focusing on people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage. The group maintains strict data security and confidentiality procedures while working closely with the communities they study through community engagement and dissemination of scientific findings.
Dr. Thomas Bergmann serves as a scientific collaborator at the Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University of Berlin, while maintaining clinical roles at the Evangelical Hospital Queen Elisabeth Herzberge and a teaching position at the University of the Arts, Berlin. He is concurrently pursuing doctoral studies at the Free University of Berlin's Department of Psychology. Academic Background: 1st State Examination in School Music and Jazz Studies (1988), University of Music and Performing Arts, Hamburg Diploma in Music Therapy (1999), University of the Arts, Berlin Ongoing Doctorate in Psychology (since 2011), Free University of Berlin Research Focus: Bergmann specializes in developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and co-occurring intellectual disabilities (ID). His work pioneers music-based assessment tools like MUSAD to address diagnostic gaps in low-verbal populations, emphasizing non-verbal communication analysis and socio-emotional development evaluation. He investigates severe behavioral disorders through interdisciplinary lenses, integrating clinical observation with therapeutic intervention design. Publication Trends: His 13 most recent publications (2010-2014) reveal a concentrated focus on adapting autism diagnostics for intellectually disabled adults. Key contributions include the Diagnostic Observation Sheet (DiBAS) and revisions to behavioral assessment instruments, demonstrating consistent innovation in methodology. His work bridges music therapy with clinical diagnostics, particularly through musical interaction analysis for non-verbal populations, while critically evaluating alternative interventions like animal-assisted techniques. Research Leadership: Bergmann directs two major funded projects: MUSAD (supported by Stiftung Irene) for music-based autism diagnostics in low-verbal adults, and AutKom for developing a 20-session group therapy program targeting social skills and stress regulation in ASD with mild ID. These initiatives emphasize practical clinical translation through caregiver involvement and multimodal assessment. Research Environment: Affiliated with the Dziobek Lab (dziobek-lab.org), Bergmann operates within a specialized research ecosystem focused on neurodevelopmental disorders. His work integrates clinical practice at Queen Elisabeth Herzberge with academic research, creating a continuous feedback loop between diagnostic innovation and therapeutic application for underserved adult populations.
Ullrich Ecker is a Professor at the School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia. His research focuses on cognitive psychology, memory processes, and the impact of misinformation in social contexts. He has supervised 14 PhD students since 2015, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary topics such as misinformation correction, climate change communication, and executive function mechanisms. His research interests span cognitive and behavioral responses to misinformation, memory dynamics, and the intersection of psychology with environmental and public health issues. Key themes include how social media environments shape susceptibility to misinformation, neurocognitive mechanisms underlying memory persistence, and strategies to counter pseudoscientific beliefs. Dr. Ecker has published 132 works, including 2 datasets and 12 grants, and holds an h-index of 44 with 10,274 citations. He actively mentors researchers and is involved in initiatives to address misinformation through evidence-based interventions. His work integrates experimental psychology, computational modeling, and real-world applications, contributing to fields like climate change communication and wildlife conservation through behavioral insights.
Andrea Schmitt is a Professor at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, affiliated with the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. She is a regular member of the Munich Clinic Network (MCN) and focuses on the neurobiology of schizophrenia. University: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Department: Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Academic Rank: Professor Her research integrates post-mortem studies, animal models, and gene expression analysis to explore schizophrenia's structural and molecular underpinnings. Recent work examines synaptic elements and immune-modulatory genes in the temporal cortex. The selected publications span 2008–2012, emphasizing stereology, neuroimaging, and molecular neuroscience. These studies investigate brain connectivity, synaptic dysfunction, and immune interactions in schizophrenia, utilizing post-mortem and preclinical models. Contact: Email | Phone: +49 (0)89 / 4400-53371 | Website: LMU Psychiatry Staff
