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
Prof. Veronika Somoza is a leading academic in Nutritional Systems Biology, currently affiliated with the University of Vienna and Technical University of Munich (TUM). She holds a professorship in Molecular Food Science and has led key research groups such as the Institute of Physiological Chemistry and the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Bioactive Aromatics. Her career includes roles at institutions like the German Research Institute for Food Chemistry (Garching) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Education: Diplom (Justus Liebig University Giessen, 1991), PhD (University of Vienna, 1995), Habilitation (Kiel University, 2002) Research Focus: Bioactive food compounds, flavor chemistry, taste receptor signaling, and gastrointestinal physiology Her work bridges food science and human health, particularly in understanding how food ingredients influence digestion, inflammation, and disease. Notable contributions include discoveries on bitter peptide effects on gastric acid secretion and flavor perception modulation. Awards: FEMA Excellence in Flavor Science (2016), ACS AGFD Fellow (2020), Hans Adolf Krebs Prize (2004) Prof. Somoza has pioneered methodologies in atomic force microscopy for foodborne virus detection and developed bitterness-masking compounds for pharmaceuticals. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates nanobiophysics with nutrition to advance functional food design and clinical applications.
Prof. Ralph Hückelhoven is a Professor of Phytopathology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Life Sciences. His research focuses on the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying plant diseases, particularly plant immunity, pathogen exploitation of signal transduction, and host-pathogen interactions. He leads the Chair of Phytopathology at TUM since 2006, following academic roles at universities of Kiel and Hohenheim. Education: PhD (1999) and habilitation in molecular phytopathology (2005) from Justus Liebig University Giessen, after a biology degree at RWTH Aachen University. Awards: Julius Kühn Prize (2004) and leadership of a DFG Junior Research Group (2002-2006). His research spans plant immunity at cellular and molecular levels, including studies on receptor kinases (e.g., MIK2, LORE), RAC GTPases (e.g., RACB), and metabolomics-driven insights into pathogen resistance. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, examining topics like fungal toxins, volatile signaling, and crop disease management. Key publications include work on Arabidopsis immune receptors, barley powdery mildew susceptibility factors, and Fusarium head blight resistance. Research integrates genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics to advance disease-resistant crop development. His lab investigates host-pathogen interactions across scales—from molecular signaling to field epidemiology—contributing to sustainable agricultural strategies against plant pathogens.
Prof. Dr. habil. Katrin Giller leads the Department of Molecular Nutrition Science (140a) at the University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, Bio Building I, Room 151, Stuttgart. Her research focuses on livestock nutrition, with specific interests in methane mitigation, antioxidant mechanisms, and metabolic syndrome in agricultural animals. Department: Molecular Nutrition Science (140a) Contact: katrin.giller@uni-hohenheim.de Office Hours: By appointment Her work spans nutritional biochemistry , ruminal fermentation , and sustainable livestock systems , often examining interactions between dietary compounds (e.g., spirulina, polyphenols, n-3 fatty acids) and animal physiology. Recent studies investigate antioxidant gene expression , transgenerational metabolic impacts , and feed efficiency . Current advisees include B.Sc. Viola Gauly, Fernando Giugno, Jana Kornherr, Mira Kühn, Daniel Obermüller, and Helen Pötzsch. The department's website details research projects, teaching events, and publications.
Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter serves as Director of the Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis at Helmholtz Munich since 2011 and holds a Professorship in Microbiology at the Technical University of Munich since 2010. He concurrently acts as Principal Investigator at both the German Center for Lung Diseases (DZL) and the Central for Food and Nutrition (ZIEL) at TU Munich, driving interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental and human health through the "Planetary Health" framework. His educational foundation was built through diploma studies at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and doctoral research at the University of Bayreuth, followed by formative work in Brazil and the United States where he pioneered bioinocula development for stress-resilient agriculture. At Helmholtz Munich (formerly GSF), he evolved from group leader in soil microbial ecology (2001) to Research Unit Director, expanding his focus from agricultural systems to human microbiome-health connections. Dr. Schloter's research program centers on microbiome-host crosstalk across ecological scales, investigating how environmental microbiota interact with human and plant microbiomes to influence health outcomes. His work integrates ecological theory with microbiome analysis to decode host-microbe co-evolution patterns, with applications spanning sustainable agriculture, allergy prevention, and infection control. Key thematic pillars include holobiont theory, probiotic development, and microbiome-mediated disease prevention through environmental quality improvement. Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals a strategic research portfolio bridging fundamental and applied microbiome science. Agricultural studies dominate (maize, potato, apple systems), examining microbial inoculants and soil management, while human health investigations explore preterm birth complications and Antarctic mammal microbiomes. Computational approaches for antimicrobial resistance assessment and ecosystem-scale projects like JenaTron demonstrate methodological breadth, all converging on translating microbiome functionality into real-world sustainability solutions. Major recognitions include: Election to the Bavarian Academy of Science (2021) Consistent placement among the top 1% of highly cited global researchers (2019-2021) Heinrich Baur Research Award (2011) for agricultural microbiology contributions As Research Unit Director, Schloter leads large-scale collaborative initiatives including the DZL and ZIEL consortia, securing major funding for microbiome standardization projects and international research networks. His leadership extends to developing analytical frameworks for cross-ecosystem microbiome comparisons and establishing protocols for translating microbial ecology principles into clinical and agricultural applications. The Comparative Microbiome Analysis unit operates as a nexus for multi-host microbiome research, employing comparative genomics, field-scale agricultural trials, and clinical cohort studies to investigate microbiome dynamics across environmental, plant, and human systems. Current infrastructure includes advanced sequencing facilities and experimental platforms for plant-microbe and host-microbe interaction studies under controlled and natural conditions.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Dr. Timur Alexander Yorgan is a prominent researcher at the Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Holding a Dr. rer. nat. degree, he has established himself as a leading figure in bone biology with over 60 publications spanning from 2013 to 2025. His research is deeply integrated with key institutional research areas including the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and immunology research networks at UKE. Dr. Yorgan's research focuses on skeletal development, bone remodeling, and genetic bone disorders, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways and their role in bone homeostasis. His work spans multiple approaches from molecular genetics to translational studies, investigating osteoblast and osteocyte biology, genetic mechanisms underlying disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, and the effects of various mutations on skeletal integrity. Recent research has expanded into the gut-bone axis, mechanobiology of bone cells, and neuro-immune interactions affecting bone metabolism. Analysis of Dr. Yorgan's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in bone biology. His work increasingly explores interdisciplinary connections between bone metabolism and other physiological systems, with growing emphasis on translational approaches for therapeutic interventions. The research demonstrates sophisticated use of mouse models and molecular techniques to unravel complex bone disorders and identify potential treatment targets. Dr. Yorgan appears to be actively involved in collaborative research across multiple institutions, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with numerous co-authors from various departments and institutions. His work is frequently published in high-impact journals including Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Nature Communications, and Bone Research. The Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at UKE, where Dr. Yorgan is based, is part of a vibrant research ecosystem that includes the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and other key research networks focusing on immunology, oncology, and cardiovascular research. This collaborative environment enables interdisciplinary approaches to understanding skeletal disorders and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Martin Kaltenpoth serves as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena since 2020 and Professor for Evolutionary Ecology at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz since 2015. Previously, he led the Research Group Insect Symbiosis at the MPI for Chemical Ecology from 2009 to 2015. Education: PhD in Biology (summa cum laude), University of Würzburg, 2006 Diploma in Biology (with honors), University of Würzburg, 2003 His research centers on insect-bacterial symbioses , investigating evolutionary, ecological, and chemical dimensions of host-microbe interactions. Key foci include nutritional and defensive symbiosis in beetles, genomic adaptations of symbiotic bacteria, and chemical mediation of symbiotic relationships. His work bridges entomology, microbiology, and chemical ecology to unravel coevolutionary mechanisms. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in beetle-microbe systems, emphasizing symbiont roles in cuticle synthesis, antifungal defense, and host-plant adaptation. His studies frequently employ genomic, biochemical, and experimental approaches across diverse insect lineages. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. While specific advisees and grants remain unlisted, his leadership of research groups and dual academic appointments indicate active supervision of graduate researchers and externally funded projects in symbiosis evolution. Currently directing research at the Max Planck Institute, Kaltenpoth advances understanding of symbiotic systems with implications for evolutionary theory and sustainable pest management strategies.
Prof. Ellen Kandeler is a leading academic in soil biology and microbial ecology at the University of Hohenheim , heading the Department of Soil Biology within the Institute of Soil Science and Site Science. Her work focuses on microbial interactions, soil organic matter dynamics, and the impacts of land use and climate change on soil systems. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), including studies on mineral-organic matter associations, pesticide degradation, and agroecosystem resilience. Research interests include rhizosphere dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and the ecological functions of soil microorganisms, with applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. She is also involved in institutional roles as a Deputy Ombudsperson for Scientific Integrity and member of committees overseeing large-scale research infrastructure. Her recent publications emphasize climate-soil feedbacks, microbial community assembly, and the biodegradation of agrochemicals. Projects like the DFG-FOR 1695 on agricultural landscapes under climate change highlight her commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through soil science. Prof. Kandeler’s work bridges fundamental and applied research, with a focus on translating soil microbial processes into strategies for sustainable land management and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on soil health.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Martin A. Kriegel serves as full Professor and Department Head of the Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster, while maintaining an active laboratory at Yale School of Medicine. He leads the Section for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (SRKI) at Medical Clinic D, where his team integrates clinical care with cutting-edge microbiome research. His department operates from Röntgenstraße 21 and Von-Esmarch-Str. 54 in Münster, Germany, with extensive collaborations including the "Cells in Motion" research initiative and the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. Dr. Kriegel's research program focuses on the critical interface between host immunity and microbiota, particularly investigating how gut commensals translocate to host tissues and trigger autoimmune responses. His laboratory pioneered the discovery that specific pathobionts like Enterococcus gallinarum and certain Lactobacillus strains can translocate from the gut to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and other sites, driving autoimmune responses through molecular mimicry of human autoantigens. His work has established fundamental mechanisms by which microbiota influence rheumatic diseases, cutaneous autoimmunity, and cancer immunology, with particular emphasis on Ro60 autoantigen mimicry, TLR7-dependent pathways, and diet-microbiome interactions. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including gnotobiotic mouse models, humanized systems, and detailed molecular characterization of host-pathobiont interactions. Analysis of Dr. Kriegel's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research connecting microbiome dynamics to autoimmune pathogenesis. His most recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates increasingly sophisticated understanding of how specific bacterial strains influence disease phenotypes across multiple autoimmune conditions, with notable advances in identifying shared microbiome signatures across lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. The publications show progressive refinement from initial observations of microbial translocation to detailed mechanistic insights into tryptophan catabolism pathways, structural basis of molecular mimicry, and diet-sensitive microbial triggers. Dr. Kriegel's scientific recognition includes US Patent No. 11,058,756 B2 for compositions treating autoimmune diseases by reducing enterococcus, reflecting the translational potential of his research. His laboratory receives substantial funding, most notably a $3 million award from the Lupus Research Alliance for the TransLuMi project investigating gut pathobiont translocation in systemic lupus erythematosus. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Kriegel directs a substantial research team including multiple postdocs (Drs. Marcia Pereira, Nathalie Becker), PhD candidates (Anna Brinkhege, Carina Brune, Helen Fuhrmann), and laboratory specialists. He participates in the CiM-IMPRS graduate program and supervises medical students through the MedK program. His laboratory currently manages multiple significant research projects including: (A) intestinal wall permeability and pathobiont translocation in autoimmunity; (B) diet-environment-microbiome interactions; (C) microbiota disruption of immunological tolerance; and (D) microbiome roles in lymphoma development. The Kriegel laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities at both Münster and Yale, with specialized capabilities in gnotobiotic research, microbiome analysis, and immune profiling. His team collaborates with international partners including Dr. Eran Elinav at Weizmann Institute, Dr. Nissan Yissachar at Bar-Ilan University, Prof. George Tsokos at Harvard, and Prof. Ilana Brito at Cornell University. The laboratory's website (https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/mikrobiom/startseite/) details ongoing projects and research opportunities.
Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland FisheriesGermany
Sven Würtz is a Research Group Leader in the Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin. He leads the Molecular Fish Physiology research group, focusing on sustainable aquaculture, reproductive biology, stress, and nutritional physiology in fish. His research interests include Aquaculture Reproductive biology Stress physiology Nutritional physiology Molecular fish physiology Animal welfare in aquaculture Conservation of endangered fish species His recent publications reflect a strong trend in molecular and physiological research applied to aquaculture species such as sturgeon, pikeperch, tilapia, and turbot. Key themes include genomics of sex determination, stress responses, nutritional interventions (probiotics, creatine, carotenoids), animal welfare in RAS and crustacean farming, and responses to environmental stressors like algal toxins and nitrate. His work combines laboratory experimentation with field applications and policy-relevant outputs. Scientific contributions and projects include: Lead author on studies on shrimp and fish welfare Co-leader of the STURGEoNOMICS and CrustaWohl projects Contributor to IGB fact sheets on the Oder River environmental disaster Extensive collaboration with national and international researchers He mentors junior researchers and collaborates on projects involving grants and interdisciplinary teams. His work is often applied, aiming to improve aquaculture practices and conservation efforts. He is actively involved in research groups focusing on molecular mechanisms in fish and ecosystem resilience.
Karl H. Muehling is a Professor at the Institute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science within the Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences at Kiel University, Germany. He has held this position since 2007 and is recognized for his work at the intersection of ecology, plant production, and molecular plant biology. His research group focuses on plant-soil interactions, particularly the nutritional physiology of crop plants and soil fertility dynamics. Education: Dr. agr. habil. (Kiel University, 1998), PhD (University of Giessen, 1991), MSc (University of Giessen, 1987), BSc (University of Giessen, 1985) His research delves into ion signaling in leaf apoplasts, plant responses to nutrient stresses, proteomics under abiotic stress, and nutrient cycling (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur) after organic fertilization. He has mentored over 165 graduate and undergraduate students as primary supervisor and leads a research group comprising postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and technical staff. He has received competitive funding from DFG, BMEL, DAAD, industry partners, and the Ministry of Agriculture of Schleswig-Holstein. He has held significant administrative roles including Dean of his faculty (2020-2022) and leadership positions in scientific societies like the German Society of Plant Nutrition and the German Agricultural Research Alliance.
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchGermany
Hermann Lotze-Campen is an agricultural economist and Head of Research Department 2 'Climate Resilience' at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). He holds a professorship in Sustainable Land Use and Climate Change at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin within the Faculty of Life Science, Department of Agricultural Economics. His work bridges climate science, agricultural economics, and food systems research with significant policy implications. Lotze-Campen's research focuses on the interplay between climate change, food systems, land use, and economic modeling. His expertise spans agricultural economics, climate change impacts, land use modeling, food systems transformation, sustainable development pathways, and bioeconomy transitions. He has developed global land use modeling frameworks for assessing climate impacts, food and bioenergy demand, agricultural land and water use, trade, and environmental consequences. His research investigates economic model inter-comparisons, lifestyle impacts on food systems, and monitoring land use change and biodiversity transitions. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on food system transformations, dietary shifts, and their environmental and economic implications. His work increasingly examines China's food system, planetary boundaries, and the integration of climate mitigation with sustainable development goals. Lotze-Campen frequently employs economic modeling approaches including Applied General Equilibrium (AGE) modeling of agricultural policies and trade. His research demonstrates growing attention to equity considerations in bioeconomy transitions and the connections between food systems and climate targets. Lotze-Campen is actively involved in major international research initiatives including the Food System Economics Commission (FSEC), the FABLE initiative (Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy), and the World in 2050 initiative. He has contributed to significant policy reports including 'The Economics of the Food System Transformation: Global Policy Report' and 'Transformations to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.' His work has substantial policy relevance for climate mitigation strategies, food security, and sustainable land management. At PIK, Lotze-Campen leads the Climate Resilience research department and has been instrumental in developing integrated assessment models that connect climate science with economic and social dimensions. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Nature Sustainability, Nature Communications, and The Lancet Planetary Health, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature and policy relevance of his research.
Dr. Shahaf Peleg is the Head of the Energy Metabolism and Epigenetics Working Group at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN). His research focuses on aging biology, epigenetic mechanisms, and metabolic interventions. Key areas include histone acetylation regulation, mitochondrial function, and dietary effects on longevity. He uses models like Drosophila, C. elegans, and mice (e.g., Titan mouse) to study aging pathways. Leading interdisciplinary projects on energy metabolism and epigenetic interactions. Developing optogenetic tools for mitochondrial research. Expertise in lipidomics and circadian metabolism. Recent work emphasizes dietary interventions in obesity-related aging and optogenetic rejuvenation of cellular energetics. Active in collaborative networks like ARDD Emerging Science workshops. Publications span metabolic pathway analysis, alcohol's epigenetic impacts, and longevity biomarkers. His team's Titan mouse model is a key tool for testing frailty attenuation strategies.
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine ResearchGermany
Dr. Matthew James Slater is the Head of the Aquaculture Research Group at the Alfred Wegener Institute, focusing on sustainable marine bioeconomy. His work emphasizes integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), holothurian ecology, and economic development through aquaculture. He leads applied research with industry partners to develop sustainable feed solutions and improve aquaculture practices. Research interests include optimizing feed ingredients from by-products (e.g., black soldier fly larvae, shrimp processing remains) and exploring the ecological roles of sea cucumbers. He investigates the effects of environmental factors (soundscapes, light, temperature) on aquatic species and promotes circular economy principles in aquaculture. Key contributions span over 60 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work on microplastic contamination in fish and the economic value of small-scale fisheries. His research integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address global challenges in aquaculture sustainability and food security. Contact: matthew.james.slater@awi.de | +49(471)4831-2727 | Alfred Wegener Institute, Bussestraße 27, 27570 Bremerhaven
Wiebke Kirleis is Professor for Environmental Archaeology and Archaeobotany at the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU). She has held this position since May 2014 and was previously a junior professor at the same university from 2008 to 2014. She is actively involved in major interdisciplinary research projects, including the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS and the Collaborative Research Centre 1266 'Scales of Transformation', where she serves as co-speaker and technical platform speaker. PhD in Natural Sciences, University of Göttingen (2002) Diploma in Biology, University of Göttingen (1998) Studies in Botany, Anthropology, and Environmental History, University of Göttingen (1990–1998) Wiebke Kirleis' research centers on the interaction between humans and plants during the late Pleistocene and Holocene, with a focus on plant economy, domestication, agricultural development, and landscape transformation. Her work explores how wild and cultivated plants were used for nutrition, ritual, and technical purposes, and how agricultural innovations such as ploughing and manuring impacted Central European landscapes. She has a strong geographical focus on Northern and Central Germany, Southeastern Europe, the Near and Middle East, and Southeast and East Asia, particularly Indonesia. Her methodological expertise includes archaeobotany (analysis of charred and waterlogged plant remains), palynology (pollen and spore analysis from sediment cores), and anthracology (study of charcoal remains). Her recent research includes studies on broomcorn millet diffusion, early farming in Scandinavia and Russia, and plant use in Bronze Age settlements across Europe and Turkey. She leads and collaborates on numerous interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing the integration of botanical data into broader archaeological narratives. Her publications reflect a consistent trend in environmental archaeology, focusing on plant domestication, agricultural transitions, and human-induced landscape change. Keywords across her recent work include archaeobotany, palynology, Neolithic and Bronze Age subsistence, and environmental reconstruction. Her research spans subfields such as food security, cultural transmission of plant use, early monumentality, and socio-economic aspects of prehistoric agriculture. Board member, Cluster of Excellence ROOTS Co-speaker, CRC 1266 'Scales of Transformation' Speaker, ROOTS Technical Platform Board member, Johanna-Mestorf-Akademie Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Dithmarschen Stone Age Park (since 2023) Full member, German Archaeological Institute (DAI) Elected member, Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures (KAAK) Wiebke Kirleis has supervised numerous research projects funded by the DFG and other agencies, including the Graduate School 'Human Development in Landscapes'. She has advised students and collaborated internationally with institutions in Italy, Norway, Indonesia, and Australia. Her leadership roles in academic self-administration include serving on planning, budget, and equality committees at CAU Kiel. She is committed to science communication, having launched the digital exhibition 'Alles bleibt anders' and produced educational films on archaeobotany. She is also involved in mentoring female postdocs through the via:mento program. She leads the archaeobotanical component in the 'Superfood' module of the SFB 1266 digital exhibition and is actively involved in the ROOTS Cluster’s Subcluster 'Dietary ROOTS'. Her lab and research team operate within the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, contributing to the university’s strong focus on interdisciplinary landscape archaeology.
