Professor Thomas Bein is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) , where he leads the Functional Nanosystems research group. His work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanostructured materials with applications in energy, catalysis, and biomedical delivery. Mesoporous nanoparticles for drug delivery Semiconductor nano-morphologies for photovoltaics Photoelectrochemical water splitting Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Electroactive networks His research emphasizes atomic-scale control of material architectures using self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, and covalent interactions, enabling precise tuning of electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A review of his recent publications reveals cutting-edge investigations into covalent organic frameworks (COFs), perovskite-inspired solar materials, and functional nanoparticle systems. Key trends include optimizing energy conversion efficiency, enhancing stability in optoelectronic devices, and exploring bio-compatible nanocarriers for targeted therapies. Professor Bein’s group actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, with ongoing collaborations in solar energy, sustainable materials, and nanomedicine.
Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchGermany
Adam Runions is a researcher in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, leading the MPG Partner Group in computational analysis of leaf development through collaborative work with Miltos Tsiantis. His group is embedded in the Graphics Cluster, focusing on interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of computer science and developmental biology. University of Calgary - Department of Computer Science MPG Partner Group (2022) Graphics Cluster affiliation His research explores computational modeling and analysis of plant form and development across multiple scales, integrating geometric modeling, physically-based simulation, and computer-aided design. Key themes include plant morphogenesis, self-organization of natural forms, and cross-disciplinary applications in computer graphics and animation. Recent publications emphasize plant development (leaf shape, bark patterning), mathematical modeling (auxin-driven patterning), and geometric techniques (subdivision surfaces, PUPs). Collaborations span institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research. Scientific Awards Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Best Paper Award (International Conference on Cyberworlds 2015) Best Student Paper Award (Computer Graphics International 2011) The group actively recruits BSc, MSc, and PhD students with backgrounds in computer science and mathematics for projects on plant form simulation and digital content creation. Research integrates evolutionary biology, biomechanical modeling, and computational techniques.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Syed Hani Hassan Abidi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences , School of Medicine , Nazarbayev University , Kazakhstan. His research integrates virology , immunology , viral oncology , and bioinformatics , with a focus on HIV molecular epidemiology , viral evolution , and drug resistance . He has led international projects across Pakistan, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan, and is recognized for innovative teaching and MOOC development. Education: PhD in Virology and Immunology Research Interests: His laboratory employs bioinformatics (machine learning, AI), genomics , and proteomics to study HIV phylodynamics , viral co-infections , and oncogenic viruses like EBV in prostate cancer. He also explores microbiome-immunity interactions and designs antiviral drugs/vaccines . Recent Research Trends: His 2025 publications emphasize COVID-19 immunopathology , HIV/syphilis epidemiology in Pakistan , and particle physics contributions via ATLAS , showcasing interdisciplinary impact. Awards & Recognition: Outstanding Teachers Award (2019, Aga Khan University) Fellowship of Higher Education (UK, 2022) Teaching & Grants: He pioneered Pakistan’s first MOOC on Computer-Based Drug Discovery (2014) and received a 2022 SoTL grant for MOOC-based molecular biology education. His teaching integrates animations , films , and flipped classrooms . Collaborations & Labs: Leads projects on HIV drug resistance , HCV genomics in Kazakhstan , and AI-driven dementia diagnostics (Kazakh Brain Atlas). His lab collaborates with global institutions to advance viral disease surveillance and therapeutic innovation .
Qiaowei Pan is a Researcher at the University of Lausanne , focusing on Evolution and Ecology . They have held a Guest Researcher role at the Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB) in Mainz, Germany since 2023, and a Postdoctoral Researcher position at the University of Lausanne since 2018. Education: PhD in Molecular and Evolutionary Biology (2014-2018), INRAe, University of Rennes II, France Erasmus Mundus Master in Evolutionary Biology (MEME) (2012-2014), University of Groningen (Netherlands) & University of Montpellier II (France) BSc in Biology (2008-2012), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA Research Interests: Qiaowei Pan's work centers on the intersection of molecular genetics , evolutionary biology , and developmental biology , particularly in sex determination mechanisms across diverse animal models. Their studies span non-coding RNA regulation , sex chromosome evolution , and signal transduction pathways like TGF-β in reproductive systems. Publication Trends: Recent articles highlight expertise in sex determination systems (5/12 publications), genomic approaches (6/12), and fish developmental evolution . Collaborative work includes computational methods ( RADSex workflow ) and comparative studies across ant , goldfish , catfish , and cavefish models. Labs & Teams: Currently affiliated with the Keller-Valsecchi group at IMB and the Department of Evolution and Ecology at the University of Lausanne.
Max Planck Institute for Biological IntelligenceGermany
Maude Baldwin is the Director of the Evolution of Sensory and Physiological Systems department at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. Her research focuses on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying sensory receptor evolution in vertebrates, particularly in birds. Education : Ph.D. from Harvard University (Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, 2007-2014); B.A. from New York University (Gallatin School of Individualized Study, 2005). Research Interests include: Evolution of taste receptors, such as the repurposing of savory receptors for sweet detection in hummingbirds. Convergent evolution in sensory systems across vertebrates. Integrative approaches combining molecular methods, cell culture, and behavioral studies. Impact of dietary shifts on ecological and physiological adaptations. Publication Trends reveal a focus on comparative genomics , protein evolution , and sensory system adaptation , with specific attention to bird taste receptors , gene loss , and echolocation genetics . Labs & Teams : Baldwin leads a multidisciplinary team at the Max Planck Institute, recruiting researchers in comparative genomics , organoid technology , and vertebrate natural history . The group investigates sensory-diet coevolution and physiological trade-offs.
Professor Matthias Mann is a world-leading scientist serving as Director of the Proteomics and Signal Transduction department at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany, and Director of the Proteomics department at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. With an h-index exceeding 277 and over 350,000 citations, he is recognized as the highest cited German researcher and one of the most influential scientists globally in proteomics. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University (1988) Master's Degree in Physics from Georg August University Göttingen (1984) Bachelor's of Arts in Mathematics from Georg August University Göttingen (1982) Professor Mann's research focuses on advancing mass spectrometry-based proteomics to understand biological systems at the protein level. His work spans technological developments in mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and computational analysis, signal transduction and posttranslational modifications, and clinical proteomics applications for disease diagnosis and treatment. The Mann lab has pioneered groundbreaking methods like SILAC for quantitative proteomics and MaxQuant for proteome data analysis. Their vision is to translate proteomics knowledge into clinical practice for predictive, diagnostic, and preventive medicine, with recent work focusing on AI-guided platforms for analyzing proteomes from minimal tissue samples. Analysis of Professor Mann's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward clinical applications of proteomics, particularly in cancer research, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. His work increasingly integrates spatial proteomics, single-cell resolution techniques, and artificial intelligence approaches to uncover disease mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers, with a clear shift from basic technology development toward direct clinical applications and personalized medicine. Professor Mann has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career: 2025: Elected member of the American National Academy of Sciences 2024: Dr. H.P. Heineken Award for Biochemistry and Biophysics 2023: Otto Warburg Medal 2019: Nominated member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences 2013: Elected member of Leopoldina German National Academy of Sciences 2012: Körber European Science Award, Louis-Jeantet Foundation Prize for Medicine, Ernst Schering Prize, and Leibniz Prize Professor Mann leads a highly collaborative research team involved in multiple international networks including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, CLINSPECT-M, and Munich Heart Alliance. His lab has mentored numerous successful researchers, with several former postdocs receiving prestigious ERC Starting Grants. The Mann group has developed innovative clinical proteomics pipelines for analyzing archived tissue specimens and body fluids, aiming to identify protein markers for early detection of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The Mann lab operates across two major research centers with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry facilities. Their Clinical Knowledge Graph platform integrates multi-omics data with extensive metadata, creating an ecosystem for machine learning applications in proteomics. Current research focuses on developing highly sensitive methods that can profile thousands of proteins from minimal cell samples, enabling the identification of critical disease-related proteins and supporting the development of individualized therapies.
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
Michael Groll serves as Professor and Chair of Biochemistry at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he leads structural biology and enzymology research with a focus on proteasome mechanisms and inhibitor development. His laboratory, located at the Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Str. 8 campus in Garching, maintains active collaborations in drug discovery for cancer and infectious diseases. His primary research domains include proteasome inhibition, enzyme catalysis, and natural product biosynthesis, employing X-ray crystallography, biochemical assays, and bioengineering to dissect molecular mechanisms. Recent work emphasizes AI-guided enzyme optimization, bacterial stress response targeting, and structural characterization of halogenation enzymes, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches bridging chemistry and biology. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals consistent innovation in proteasome-targeted therapeutics, with 15 high-impact papers featuring structural insights into enzyme-inhibitor complexes and biosynthetic pathways. Key trends include engineering megasynthetases for immunoproteasome inhibitors, optical control of protein degradation, and elucidating metal-dependent mechanisms in antibiotic biosynthesis. No scientific awards were documented in the provided source material. While specific grant details and student mentorship records were not disclosed, his extensive publication record indicates leadership in collaborative research projects involving structural biology and chemical biology methodologies. The Chair of Biochemistry under Prof. Groll operates as a hub for structural enzymology, housing facilities for protein crystallography, enzyme kinetics, and natural product characterization. His team actively contributes to TUM's research ecosystem through partnerships with pharmaceutical groups and international structural biology consortia.
Prof. Dr. Peter Strasser is a faculty member at the Technische Universität Berlin , affiliated with the Institute of Chemistry and leading the Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Sciences Group within the Faculty II - Mathematics and Natural Sciences . His research spans electrocatalysis , fuel cell technology , and high-throughput materials testing , with a focus on nanostructured catalysts for clean energy systems. Research Interests : High Throughput Testing Fuel Cells Electrocatalysis Electrochemical Materials Water Splitting CO2 Conversion Scientific Contributions highlight trends in oxygen evolution reactions , dealloyed catalysts , and non-noble metal electrocatalysts . His work bridges materials science and energy storage , particularly for hydrogen fuel cells and magnesium batteries . Awards : Otto Roelen Medal 2016 Advising notable researchers like former PhD student Mehtap Özaslan , who established a junior research group at the University of Oldenburg and won the Umicore Scientific Award. Prof. Strasser's team collaborates with UniSysCat and has secured funding from the Federal Ministry of Research for catalyst innovation.
Helmholtz Association of German Research CentersGermany
Dr. Sabine Krabbe is a Group Leader at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn, Germany, where she leads research on neural circuit mechanisms underlying adaptive learning and state-dependent decision-making. Her work integrates neuroscience, molecular biology, and behavioral approaches to understand how internal states influence behavior and how these processes are disrupted in neurological disorders. Dr. Krabbe's research focuses on the interactions between midbrain circuits of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area with their output structures such as the striatum and amygdala. She investigates how these networks integrate internal states with environmental cues to produce appropriate behavioral responses. Her laboratory employs state-of-the-art techniques including deep-brain calcium imaging at single-cell resolution in mice, opto- and pharmacogenetic manipulations, anatomical tracings, and molecular approaches to characterize neural circuit elements in detail. Her recent publications reveal significant insights into amygdala interneuron plasticity during fear learning, brain-wide representational drift in memory consolidation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease progression. Her work demonstrates how activity patterns within specific neural circuits change in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases and how this dysfunction contributes to cognitive deficits and emotional disturbances. Dr. Krabbe is actively involved in the neuroscience community, organizing the BonnBrain Conference 2026 and sharing research through social media platforms. She has established herself as an emerging leader in the field of systems neuroscience with a particular focus on the neural basis of emotional states and decision-making processes.
Konstantinos Anastassiadis is a Professor at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) of Dresden University of Technology , leading the Stem Cell Engineering group at the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) . His research focuses on unraveling molecular pathways regulating stem cell self-renewal and lineage commitment, with a strong emphasis on genetic engineering tool development and epigenetic mechanisms during cellular reprogramming. The lab utilizes mouse and human embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in their investigations. Core Research Areas: Molecular regulation of stem cell fate Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., UTX/UTY histone demethylases) Genetic engineering tool development (Flp, Dre, Vika recombinases, CRISPR protocols) Conditional immortalization systems for rare cell expansion Publications highlight his contributions to understanding: Role of histone methyltransferases (MLL1, MLL2, Setd1b) in hematopoiesis and cancer Epigenetic regulation during mouse development and spermatogenesis Genetic tools for protein tagging, transposon-mediated BAC transgenesis Interactions between stem cells and niche microenvironments Transcriptional and mechanical markers during reprogramming Collaborations span immunology , developmental biology , and bioinformatics . The lab actively participates in teaching activities at CMCB and maintains a focus on translational applications of stem cell research.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Krüger is a behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist at Bielefeld University 's Faculty of Biology , where he leads the Department of Animal Behaviour since 2013. His research spans avian and marine mammal systems, focusing on life history strategies, parasite-host interactions, and environmental adaptation. Education: Biology studies at Bielefeld University (1994-1996) MSc in Oxford (1996-1997) PhD at Bielefeld University with Fritz Trillmich and Jan Lindström (1998-2000) Research Themes: Behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and population dynamics across tropical and temperate ecosystems. Key projects include NC³ (Niche Choice/Construction) and studies on Galápagos sea lions, common buzzards, and pinniped species. Scientific Leadership: Spokesperson, SFB TRR 212 "NC³" (2018-2025) Advisory Board member: German Ornithologists Union, IUCN SSC pinniped group, German Primate Centre Peer review roles: Humboldt Foundation, DFG, HFSP, NSF Awards: Leopoldina Prize (2001) Niko Tinbergen Award (2008) DFG Heisenberg Professorship (2010-2015)
Prof. Dr. Armido Studer is a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Münster (WWU Münster), Germany. He has been serving as a Full Professor (W3) since November 2009, following his appointment as a Full Professor (C4) in 2004. Studer also serves as the Spokesman of the International Research Training Group IRTG 2678 'Functional π-Systems: Activation, Interaction and Application (pi-Sys)' since 2021 and previously led the Collaborative Research Center SFB 858 'Synergetic Effects in Chemistry - From Additivity towards Cooperativity' from 2010 to 2021. Studer received his education at ETH Zürich, where he completed his diploma thesis and doctoral studies under Prof. Dr. D. Seebach. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh with Prof. Dr. D. P. Curran before returning to ETH Zürich for his habilitation. His academic career includes positions as Associate Professor at Philipps-Universität Marburg (2000-2004) and subsequent professorships at WWU Münster. Professor Studer's research focuses on radical chemistry, particularly in the development of new synthetic methods using radical intermediates. His work spans free radical chemistry, electron catalysis, and the application of nitroxides in organic synthesis. Recent research directions include 'Radical Chemistry with the Hydrogen Atom Through Water Activation (H-dot)' and 'The Electron as a Catalyst: e-cat', both funded by ERC Advanced Grants. His group has made significant contributions to C-H functionalization, skeletal editing of heterocycles, and cooperative catalysis involving photoredox and N-heterocyclic carbene systems. The research has applications in pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and sustainable chemical synthesis. Studer's publication record shows a strong focus on heterocyclic chemistry, radical reactions, and catalytic methodologies. His recent work demonstrates expertise in meta-selective functionalization of heteroarenes, skeletal editing techniques, and the development of novel radical cascade reactions. The group has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature, Science, JACS, and Angewandte Chemie. Adolf-von-Baeyer-Denkmünze (2025) Arthur C. Cope Late Career Scholars Award of the American Chemical Society (2024) ERC Advanced Grants (2024, 2016) Multiple Highly Cited Researcher designations (2017-2022) Elected member of multiple academies (European Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina) Pedler Award of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2019) Professor Studer has mentored over 100 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry worldwide. His research is supported by significant grants including multiple ERC Advanced Grants and funding from the German Research Council (DFG) for collaborative research centers. The Studer Group maintains numerous international collaborations, particularly with institutions in Japan, China, and the United States, reflecting his global impact in organic chemistry. The Studer Group operates state-of-the-art laboratories at the University of Münster, equipped for advanced organic synthesis, photochemistry, and materials characterization. The group is known for its collaborative culture and has been featured in numerous group photos documenting its evolution since the early 2000s, first at Philipps-Universität Marburg and then at WWU Münster.
Dieter Braun is a Professor in the Faculty of Physics at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), leading the Functional NanoSystems research group. He serves as speaker of the CRC 235 Emergence of Life and coordinates the Molecular Origins component of the Origins Cluster. Dr. Braun holds an ERC Synergy Grant (starting April 2025), leads the CRC 392 Molecular Evolution (starting April 2024), and is a Fellow in the Max Planck School Matter to Life (since October 2023). His research focuses on understanding the physical mechanisms that could have led to the emergence of Darwinian evolution from prebiotic molecules on early Earth. Braun's laboratory investigates non-equilibrium settings, particularly asymmetrically heated open cracks in rocks, which create intricate wet-dry cycles, temperature gradients, and fluidic effects that could drive molecular evolution. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to explore how dead molecules might combine through physical forces into autonomous mechanisms of evolution. Analysis of Braun's recent publications reveals a strong focus on thermal gradients and non-equilibrium physics in prebiotic environments. His research demonstrates how heat flows can concentrate molecules, drive polymerization, create pH gradients, and enable non-enzymatic replication of nucleic acids. The publications span high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Physics, and Nature Chemistry, showing interdisciplinary work connecting physics, chemistry, geology, and biology in the context of life's origins. Klung-Wilhelmy Weberbank Price (2011) Technology Transfer Price of the DPG (with LMU and NanoTemper) Deutscher Innovationspreis (2012) Step Award (2012) Dr. Braun has successfully mentored numerous PhD students, including Stefan Duhr and Philipp Baaske who founded the award-winning startup NanoTemper Technologies. His research is supported by multiple prestigious grants including ERC Starting, Advanced, and Synergy Grants, as well as funding from the Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life. His laboratory collaborates extensively with other researchers across disciplines and institutions, particularly with Hannes Mutschler in the new ERC Synergy project. The Braun laboratory operates within the CRC 235 Emergence of Life and the Origins Cluster at LMU Munich, with strong connections to the Max Planck Society through the Max Planck School Matter to Life. The research group maintains active collaborations with geochemists, biophysicists, and molecular biologists to create comprehensive experimental models of prebiotic environments.
Prof. Dr. Markus Meissner is a Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, leading the Chair of Experimental Parasitology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of host cell invasion and modulation by Apicomplexan parasites, particularly Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium species. Research Group: Meissner Laboratory Location: Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried Contact: markus.meissner@lmu.de His work investigates the secretory pathway of parasites, vesicular trafficking systems, and essential genes involved in host cell invasion and intracellular development. Toxoplasma gondii serves as a model organism for studying Apicomplexan biology, including nuclear division and CRMP complex functionality. Recent publications highlight the role of Rab GTPases in protein trafficking, chromatin remodeling in Plasmodium, and actin dynamics in parasite motility. Articles span topics such as egress factors, Golgi pathways, and lineage-specific organelle emergence, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, cell biology, and evolutionary analysis. The Meissner Lab includes PhD students (Peipei Qin, Yuan Song, Ella Schadt, Vitoria Catschor dos Santos) and postdocs (Dr. Wei Li, Dr. Miriam Rafajlovic). Research is conducted in Lena-Christ-Str. 48, Planegg-Martinsried, with a focus on experimental systems for studying parasite mechanisms.
