Dr. Heiner Kuhl is a Scientific Staff member in the Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB Berlin). His research focuses on molecular fish physiology, genetics, and evolution, particularly in sex determination, genome analysis, and aquatic species adaptation. Affiliation: IGB Berlin, Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture Role: Researcher His research spans comparative genomics, polyploidy, and biodiversity genomics, with a strong emphasis on aquatic vertebrates. Recent projects highlight his work on sex chromosome evolution and genome stability in invasive species. Dr. Kuhl has contributed to major publications in journals like Nature Communications , Molecular Ecology , and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society . His work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in genome assembly and evolutionary biology.
Prof. Dr. Katrin Marcus-Alic is a leading researcher at the Department of Medical Proteome Analysis, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI) at Ruhr University Bochum's Faculty of Medicine. Since 2014, she has headed the Medizinisches Proteom-Center, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease through advanced proteomic and lipidomic approaches. Role: Head of Medical Proteome Center Institution: Ruhr University Bochum Collaborations: Numerous international research partners Her research spans medical proteomics, functional proteomics, and bioinformatics, with recent work exploring mitochondrial biology, neuromelanin granules, and protein biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. She employs cutting-edge technologies such as mass spectrometry, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture systems. Key trends in her publications include proteomic profiling of neurodegenerative tissues, biomarker discovery in Parkinson's disease, and methodological advancements in data-independent acquisition. Her work emphasizes integrating OMICS data with clinical applications and developing targeted analysis strategies. Location: Gesundheitscampus 4, Bochum (Room E2.259) Contact: +49 (0)234 32-18106 Email: katrin.marcus@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Prof. Dr. Katharina Markmann is a leading academic at the Julius von Sachs Institute of Biosciences, University of Würzburg, Germany. She holds the Chair of Botany II – Plant Ecophysiology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms governing plant-microbe symbiosis and environmental adaptation. Her research addresses fundamental questions about root development, systemic communication, and stress resilience in legumes. Institution: University of Würzburg School: Julius von Sachs Institute of Biosciences Department: Botany II – Plant Ecophysiology Email: katharina.markmann@uni-wuerzburg.de Markmann’s research centers on root nodulation symbiosis , exploring how plants optimize nitrogen acquisition through genetic regulation and small RNA signaling. Her work investigates systemic communication mechanisms between plant organs during symbiosis and nutrient scarcity. She also analyzes ecophysiological adaptations in legumes under heat and drought stress, contributing to understanding plant resilience in extreme environments. Her publications reveal a focus on microRNA mobility in legumes, receptor kinase evolution , and nutrient foraging strategies . Key findings include the role of miR172 in symbiotic infection and the development of genetic tools like the LORE1 mutant resource. Her studies span molecular biology, plant physiology, and evolutionary genetics. Markmann contributes to teaching in Biology and Biosciences programs , including courses in botany for geography students. She is affiliated with the Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3 research facility in Würzburg, where her lab investigates plant adaptation mechanisms.
Horst Zitzelsberger is Head of the Research Unit Translational Metabolic Oncology at Helmholtz Zentrum München and an Associate Professor at the Medical Faculty of Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich. He earned his diploma in human genetics and doctorate in biology. His research focuses on translational radiation oncology with specialization in head and neck cancer, molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, multi-omics approaches, and personalized cancer treatment. Key interests include: Molecular cytogenetics and tumor heterogeneity Development of prognostic markers for therapeutic stratification Tumor metabolic processes and immune escape mechanisms Translational bioinformatics for precision oncology Recent publications (2017-2022) demonstrate strong emphasis on head and neck cancer biomarkers, miRNA signatures, transcriptomic classification, and therapy resistance mechanisms. Research consistently integrates multi-omics data with clinical outcomes to develop predictive models and therapeutic targets. He leads a translational research team comprising two laboratory groups: Translational Bioinformatics (Dr. Martin Selmansberger) Experimental Translational Oncology (Dr. Julia Hess) and maintains clinical collaborations with LMU University Clinics and national/international partners. The unit focuses on molecular characterization of therapy-resistant tumors and development of precision treatment strategies.
Prof. Heike Siebert is a Professor in the Department of Discrete Biomathematics at Freie Universität Berlin. Her work focuses on systems biology, regulatory network analysis, and mathematical modeling of biological processes. She leads research into Boolean networks, temporal networks, and control strategies within biological systems. Affiliations: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Institute of Bioinformatics Research Interests: Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Regulatory Networks, Dynamical Systems Her research emphasizes integrating discrete and continuous models, with notable contributions in PyBoolNet software for Boolean network analysis. Recent work explores pattern formation in gene circuits, network control via algebraic methods, and bioregionalization in ecological systems. Publications span 20+ years, focusing on core themes like attractor analysis in Boolean networks, model checking applications, and interdisciplinary approaches to biological systems.
Dr. Xin Lai is a researcher at the Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics , University of Rostock , within the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering . Their work combines mathematical modeling with systems biology to study microRNA regulation in cancer signaling pathways and aging-related processes . Key research areas include: MicroRNA-mediated gene regulatory networks Mathematical analysis of p53 and E2F1 signaling Chemoresistance mechanisms in cancer Applications of nonlinear dynamics , sensitivity analysis , and multiscale hybrid modeling Their publications span 2009-2018 , with recent focus on miRNA cooperation in apoptosis regulation and inflammatory signaling . A notable 2012 best poster award highlighted their work on miR-146a/NF-κB interactions in lung inflammation. Collaborations include Prof. Olaf Wolkenhauer and Prof. Julio Vera. Scientific contributions include: 2018 : Mechanistic insights into miR-205-5p/342-3p in chemotherapy resistance 2016 : Genotype-phenotype mapping for melanoma immune resistance 2014 : Hybrid ODE-logic modeling of signaling-transcription crosstalk 2013 : Kinetic analysis of E2F1-p73/DNp73-miR-205 network 2012 : Computational framework for target hub gene repression by miRNAs
Julien Béthune is a Professor for Molecular Biology and Cell Culture Techniques at the Department of Biotechnologie, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. His roles include leading research initiatives, teaching in both Bachelor and Master programs (Biotechnologie, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology), and chairing examination committees for multiple Master programs, including Biomedical Engineering and Process Engineering. Education Diplôme d'Ingénieur Chimiste, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (2000) Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville, USA (2000) PhD in Molecular Biology, Universität Heidelberg (2006) His research focuses on genome editing (CRISPR/Cas) , gene silencing (RNAi) , proximity-dependent proteomics (BioID) , and cellular assays . He has pioneered techniques like Split-BioID for analyzing context-specific protein complexes. His recent publications (2017-2022) span proteomics, molecular biology, and cell biology, with a focus on vesicle trafficking, RNA-binding protein functions, and innovative proximity-labeling methods. Notable journals include Nature Communications , Cell Reports , and EMBO Reports . As a scientific reviewer, he contributes to international funding bodies such as the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). He has supervised numerous bachelor, master, and PhD theses since 2013 and leads a research group integrating molecular biology with biotechnological applications.
Ying Cai is a prolific researcher with significant contributions across diverse domains of computer science, mathematics, and biomedical applications. Their work spans artificial intelligence, medical imaging, cybersecurity, and computational methods, as evidenced by recent publications in journals like Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence and IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging . Key research areas include lung cancer detection algorithms, distributed filtering under cyber-attacks, and cryptographic protocols. 2025: 9 publications 2024: 18 publications 2023: 8 publications Notable collaborations include work with Yang Zhao, Zeyu Zhang, and Daji Ergu on medical AI applications and computational techniques. Their recent articles demonstrate expertise in: Medical imaging and diagnostic automation Deep learning optimization Secure communication protocols Computational mathematical models Ying Cai's research bridges theoretical rigor with practical implementation across domains like health informatics, network security, and educational technology.
Professor Mengji Lu serves as the Director of the Working Group at the Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen. With extensive research experience in virology and immunology, Prof. Lu leads a dedicated team focusing on hepatitis B virus (HBV) research. The research group includes members such as Thekla Kemper (MTA), Xueyu Wang, Qian Li, and Shi Liu, all contributing to the comprehensive investigation of viral pathogenesis and immune responses. Prof. Lu's research interests center on the intricate relationship between hepatitis B virus infection and the host immune system. The team investigates the role of innate immune responses in controlling HBV infection, the regulation of HBV replication by miRNAs and host factors, and the development of immunotherapeutic approaches for chronic HBV treatment. A significant focus is placed on understanding the mutual influence between innate and adaptive immune responses during HBV infection, as well as exploring epigenetic control mechanisms related to cell differentiation, metabolism, and their connections to viral infection. The research employs various animal models to study HBV pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions. The extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent research trajectory in HBV virology, with recent work emphasizing cellular autophagy pathways, endosomal trafficking, viral replication mechanisms, and immune modulation. The publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary approach combining virology, immunology, cell biology, and molecular genetics to address fundamental questions about HBV persistence, clearance, and potential therapeutic targets. Key themes include the investigation of host factors that regulate viral replication, the complex interplay between viral components and host immune responses, and the development of novel strategies for HBV treatment. Prof. Lu's research group maintains active collaborations with numerous scientists across Germany and internationally, as evidenced by the co-authorship patterns in recent publications. The team receives funding for their research on HBV pathogenesis and immune responses, supporting both basic science investigations and translational research aimed at developing new therapeutic approaches for chronic hepatitis B infection. The laboratory utilizes advanced techniques in molecular virology, immunology, and cell biology to address critical questions in HBV research. The research group operates within the Institute of Virology at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where they maintain specialized facilities for virological research, including cell culture laboratories, molecular biology equipment, and animal models for HBV studies. The team contributes significantly to the understanding of HBV-host interactions and continues to explore innovative approaches for treating chronic hepatitis B infection.
Prof. Dr. Michael Sattler serves as Department Head of the Molecular Targets & Therapeutics Center and Director of the Institute of Structural Biology and Bavarian NMR Center at Helmholtz Munich. Concurrently, he holds the position of Professor of Biomolecular NMR in the Chemistry Department within the School of Natural Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). His academic background includes a Dr. phil. nat. in Chemistry from the University of Frankfurt (1995) and postdoctoral training at Abbott Labs, Chicago. He established his independent research group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg in 1997 before moving to Helmholtz Munich and TUM in 2007. Sattler pioneers integrative structural biology approaches combining NMR spectroscopy, small angle scattering, crystallography, and cryo-EM to elucidate molecular mechanisms in biological pathways. His research emphasizes dynamics and transient regulatory interactions in RNA-based gene regulation (including alternative splicing and miRNA processing), molecular chaperones (Hsp90), peroxisome biogenesis, and cellular signaling. This work directly enables innovative structure-based drug discovery for cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. His major honors include: 2020 Erwin-Schrödinger Prize/Stifterverband Science Award 2017 Elected Member of the Leopoldina, German National Academy of Sciences 2017 Elected Member ISMAR Council 2014 FEBS National Lecturer (SEBB, Granada) 2012 Elected EMBO Member 2011-2012 Visiting Professorship (Tianjin, China) 2005 Professor Invité (Ecole Normale Superieur, Paris) 2005 Jean-Francois Lefevre Lecturer (Strasbourg) He currently leads the ERC Synergy Consortium UNLEASH (2023-2029) on splicing code control and has coordinated major EU Horizon 2020 initiatives including ITNs AEGIS (2016-2020) and RNAct (2018-2022). His leadership extends to co-organizing the biennial EMBO Practical Course on NMR spectroscopy since 1999, the 2017 Keystone Symposium on NMR in Life Sciences, and the 2019 International Conference on New Frontiers in Structure-based Drug Discovery. Sattler directs the Bavarian NMR Center (www.bnmrz.org), which operates a 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer and cryo-EM facilities, and leads a research group focused on translating structural insights into therapeutic development for human diseases.
Dr. Marieke Verleih is a scientist at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf, Germany, where she has been a key member of the Fish Genetics Group since 2012. She currently holds a permanent scientific position, having previously served as a postdoctoral researcher. Her work is centered on improving fish welfare and productivity in aquaculture through genomic and molecular approaches. PhD in Molecular Biology (2012) Diploma in Biology from Philipps University of Marburg and the University of Rostock (2001–2007) Her research focuses on identifying early genomic and physiological indicators of stress and suboptimal housing conditions in farmed fish. She investigates the genetic basis of stress tolerance, immune function, and developmental processes in species such as rainbow trout and pikeperch. Her work integrates transcriptomics, genomics, and functional analyses to uncover mechanisms underlying adaptation and resilience. The trends in her recent publications highlight a strong emphasis on stress physiology, immune responses, and genomic characterization in aquaculture species. Her studies often explore the interaction between environmental stressors (temperature, hypoxia, stocking density) and molecular responses, contributing to the development of sustainable and welfare-oriented fish farming practices. Active scientific contributions to high-impact journals in aquaculture and molecular biology Extensive collaboration with leading researchers in fish genomics and immunology Dr. Verleih has not publicly listed any PhD or Master’s students, but her leadership in numerous collaborative research projects suggests a mentoring role within the Fish Genetics Group. She has been involved in multiple studies funded through institutional and national research programs, though specific grants are not detailed in the provided text. Her work supports the broader mission of FBN to advance sustainable animal production through biological research. She conducts her research within the Fish Genetics Group at FBN, a multidisciplinary team focused on the genetic improvement and welfare of farmed fish species. The group employs cutting-edge molecular and bioinformatic tools to address challenges in modern aquaculture.
Dr. Anne-Marie Galow is a Research Fellow at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf, Germany, where she conducts cutting-edge research within the Institute of Genome Biology and the Working Group Endocrinology of Farm Animals. Her work bridges regenerative medicine and functional genomics, focusing on stem cell applications for cardiovascular regeneration and aging mechanisms. Her academic foundation includes: Diploma in Human Biology from the University of Greifswald (2008-2013) Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Biophysics from the University of Rostock (2014-2017) Graduate Academy fellowship at the University of Rostock (2015-2017) Galow's research centers on regenerative and individualized medicine, with specialized expertise in adult stem cell populations and functional genome analysis. Her investigations into cardiomyocyte maturation, epigenetic aging clocks, and single-cell sequencing methodologies aim to develop novel therapeutic strategies for heart disease and age-related degeneration, emphasizing translational applications from farm animal models to human medicine. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in stem cell-driven cardiac regeneration, single-cell genomics, and aging epigenetics. Her work consistently integrates advanced sequencing techniques with functional studies, particularly examining mitochondrial RNA biases, macrophage-cardiomyocyte interactions, and hormone-mediated tissue maturation across diverse models from mice to porcine systems. As an active member of the Endocrinology of Farm Animals working group, Galow contributes to FBN's mission through collaborative projects investigating stem cell characteristics in agricultural species, with potential cross-species applications for human regenerative therapies and longevity research.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Giebel is a leading faculty member at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen. He leads the Giebel Lab, which is dedicated to advancing the understanding and clinical application of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly those derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). His research spans hematopoietic progenitor biology and EV-based therapeutics for inflammatory and neurological conditions. His research focuses on elucidating the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived EVs, having demonstrated efficacy in treating graft-versus-host disease and ischemic brain injury. His lab pioneers methods for EV isolation and characterization, including free-flow electrophoresis and imaging flow cytometry. He is deeply involved in standardizing EV research through initiatives like MISEV and EV-TRACK. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward clinical translation, with work on optimizing EV manufacturing, functional assays, and biomarker discovery. His team investigates EVs in stroke, neuroprotection, immunomodulation, and cancer immunotherapy, often using advanced preclinical models and multi-omics approaches. Founding President, German Society of Extracellular Vesicles (2017–2023) Chair, Exosome Committee, International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) Co-initiator, Mobility for Vesicles in Europe (MOVE) Active member, International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) Bernd Giebel mentors several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of EV scientists. His lab collaborates extensively with national and international experts, contributing to influential white papers and consensus guidelines. The research is supported by ongoing projects and publications in top-tier journals, indicating sustained funding and academic leadership. The Giebel Lab operates within the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and is part of the broader research ecosystem at University Hospital Essen, focusing on translational medicine and regenerative therapies.
Professor Tamir Tuller is a Full Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Engineering, where he leads the Laboratory of Computational Systems and Synthetic Biology. He also maintains affiliations with the Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics. His research spans computational biology, bioinformatics, and systems biology with a focus on developing mathematical models of gene expression and biological systems. Prof. Tuller's research interests include computational modeling of gene expression, engineering of gene expression systems, deciphering the gene expression code, evolutionary systems biology, computational study of molecular evolution, and gene expression in diseases. His work particularly focuses on developing computational predictive models to mathematically analyze and simulate gene translation processes, devising approaches for engineering gene expression for biotechnological objectives, and analyzing large-scale genomic data to understand how gene expression is encoded in transcripts. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong trend toward computational approaches for understanding and engineering biological systems. His work integrates mathematical modeling, machine learning, and large-scale genomic analysis to address challenges in virology, cancer research, synthetic biology, and genome editing. Key themes include the relationship between RNA structure and viral pathogenesis, computational prediction of CRISPR efficiency, AI-driven analysis of evolutionary patterns in codon usage, and the development of novel tools for gene expression modeling. Prof. Tuller leads an active research laboratory focused on computational systems and synthetic biology. His team develops comprehensive computational models to study intracellular processes, particularly mRNA translation dynamics, and applies these models to problems in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. The lab's work bridges theoretical computational approaches with experimental validation, as evidenced by numerous publications demonstrating practical applications of their computational models. His research has significant implications for vaccine development (particularly for viruses like Zika and Hepatitis C), cancer diagnostics and treatment, synthetic biology applications, and improving genome editing technologies. The lab's EXPosition tool for CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA evaluation represents a practical application of their computational models that has potential to enhance genome editing projects across multiple fields.
Miguel Andrade is a Professor in the Faculty of Biology at the University of Mainz and serves as Adjunct Director at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) since 2014. Previously, he was a Group Leader at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (2007-2014) and Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa (2003-2007). His research focuses on computational analysis of protein sequences, particularly tandem repeats and low complexity regions, with applications in neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's. His educational background includes: PhD in Biochemistry from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (1994) Professor Andrade's research spans bioinformatics and computational biology with emphasis on protein sequence evolution, structural implications of repetitive elements, and development of analytical tools. He investigates how tandem repeats and low complexity regions influence protein folding, aggregation, and interactions in diseases, while exploring evolutionary conservation across species. His work bridges computational methodologies with experimental validation in neurodegenerative contexts. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent innovation in protein sequence analysis, featuring computational tools for homorepeat detection, machine learning applications in proteomics, and multi-omics integration. Key themes include neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, immune system regulation, and evolutionary adaptations, with significant contributions to databases like RepeatsDB and tools such as REP2 and seqQscorer. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. While specific student names and grant details are unlisted, his leadership at IMB indicates supervision of graduate researchers and postdoctoral fellows. His collaborative network spans immunology, cancer research, and neuroscience, evidenced by co-authorship on diverse projects from lipid-disease associations to T-cell differentiation studies. He directs a research group at IMB Mainz focused on computational genomics, developing algorithms for protein sequence analysis and maintaining community resources. The team actively investigates polyglutamine dynamics in neurodegeneration and applies machine learning to proteome-wide challenges, maintaining strong ties with experimental laboratories for biological validation.
