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Awardees

Biosciences, life sciences

Prof. Dr. Janis Antonovics
Field of Research: Population genetics In Germany: 01.05.2013 - 31.10.2013 Host's project description Professor Antonovics is a leading authority in evolutionary biology. Most recently, he has made major contributions to our understanding of sexually transmitted diseases and host-pathogen coevolution. He is currently working on disease emergence, the role of pathogens in limiting species distribution and the evolution of host-pathogen genetic systems. During his stay in Berlin, he intends to model the co-evolutionary boundary between mututalism and parasitism and to formulate experimental work on fungal impact on plant communities.	Home Institute Department of Biology University of Virginia Gilmer Hall, McCormick Road 22904 Charlottesville Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Rillig Institut für Biologie Freie Universität Berlin Altensteinstr. 6 14195 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Janis Antonovics

Field of Research:

Population genetics

In Germany:

01.05.2013 - 31.10.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Biology
University of Virginia
Gilmer Hall, McCormick Road
22904 Charlottesville

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Rillig
Institut für Biologie
Freie Universität Berlin
Altensteinstr. 6
14195 Berlin

Dr. Isabel Bäurle
Field of Research: Plant genetics In Germany: 01.09.2010 - 31.08.2015 Host's project description Negative environmental influence causes stress for plants, resulting in crop failures – a problem that is probably being aggravated by climate change. The immediate response of plants to such influence has been well researched, unlike their adaptation to lasting or recurrent stress, although it is of considerable importance in nature. Plants are quite capable of remembering stressful situations and will respond to the reoccurrence of such situations. The basic molecular mechanisms involved here are largely unknown. With the “memory” of Arabidopsis (Thale Cress), Isabel Bäurle wants to demonstrate how plants store environmental influences at molecular level and generally develop a cellular memory although they lack a nervous system. She is investigating how this memory changes in the course of evolution to make plants adaptable to different habitats. The insights she hopes to obtain will also be of economic importance and could provide new approaches to optimising crop yields.	Home Institute Institut für Biochemie und Biologie Universität Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26 14476 Golm Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Bernd Müller-Röber Institut für Biochemie und Biologie Universität Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26 14476 Golm

Dr. Isabel Bäurle

Field of Research:

Plant genetics

In Germany:

01.09.2010 - 31.08.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Biochemie und Biologie
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26
14476 Golm

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Bernd Müller-Röber
Institut für Biochemie und Biologie
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26
14476 Golm

Dr. Camin Dean
Field of Research: Neurobiology In Germany: 01.08.2010 - 31.07.2015 Host's project description The brain is the body’s most complex organ. Thousands of millions of nerve cells and billions of links, the synapses, allow the control of vital functions ranging from breathing to the performance of multilayered mental tasks. The brain has to respond constantly to changes in the environment. One key to this is synaptic plasticity, the ability of the synapses to adapt and adjust the strength of the signals they are transmitting. However, if signal strength grows too much, this may result in damage or epileptic fits. Camin Dean is examining the mechanisms keeping the synapses in perfect balance so that the brain can work. She has found out which protein adjusts the strength of the synapses to a sensible range by controlling the release of a neurotrophine, a signal substance that not only responds to synaptic plasticity but also influences the formation of new synapses. Dean aims to study the basic mechanisms involved here and thus contribute to developing improved methods of treating diseases such as Alzheimer, Morbus Parkinson and epilepsy.	Home Institute European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G) Universität Göttingen Grisebachstr. 5 37077 Göttingen Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Walter Stühmer Universitätsmedizin Göttingen - European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G) Universität Göttingen Grisebachstr. 5 37077 Göttingen

Dr. Camin Dean

Field of Research:

Neurobiology

In Germany:

01.08.2010 - 31.07.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G)
Universität Göttingen
Grisebachstr. 5
37077 Göttingen

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Walter Stühmer
Universitätsmedizin Göttingen - European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G)
Universität Göttingen
Grisebachstr. 5
37077 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Felix Engel
Field of Research: Cell biology, cytobiology In Germany: 01.01.2013 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description The human heart is a unique organ in the true sense of the word: adult heart cells are unable to divide. If they die off as a result of a heart attack, for instance, the tissue cannot rebuild itself. Felix Engel is searching for a way of encouraging adult heart cells to divide - a capacity inherent in youthful cells, but one which they lose shortly after birth. As Felix Engel and his colleagues discovered, responsibility for this lies with a protein. If it is blocked, the cell regains its capacity to divide. What has worked in experiments on animals is now supposed to be used to treat humans successfully and thus be developed as an alternative to the controversial treatment with stem cells.	Home Institute Pathologisches Institut Universitätsklinikum Erlangen Krankenhausstr. 12 91054 Erlangen Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Thomas Braun Abt. für Entwicklung und Umbau des Herzens MPI für Herz- und Lungenforschung Ludwigstraße 43 61231 Bad Nauheim

Prof. Dr. Felix Engel

Field of Research:

Cell biology, cytobiology

In Germany:

01.01.2013 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Pathologisches Institut
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Krankenhausstr. 12
91054 Erlangen

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Thomas Braun
Abt. für Entwicklung und Umbau des Herzens
MPI für Herz- und Lungenforschung
Ludwigstraße 43
61231 Bad Nauheim

Dr. Dmitry A. Fedosov
Field of Research: Biophysics In Germany: 01.09.2012 - 31.08.2017 Host's project description Blood flow in microcirculation plays a fundamental role in a wide range of physiological processes and pathologies in the organism, including transport of molecules and cells, organism defense, haemostasis, and various diseases. A prominent example of the significance of microcirculatory blood flow is cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Blood flow in tumor microcirculation is essential for tumor growth and metastasis, but also it strongly affects tumor detection and treatment, since it is the main path for the delivery of imaging agents and drugs. In-silico modeling has a large potential to elucidate blood flow behavior in normal and tumor microcirculation and to guide and possibly drive the optimization of vascular drug delivery. Dr. Fedosov has developed a simulation technique to study blood flow under various conditions. He will use this approach to investigate blood flow and drug delivery by nanocarriers in normal and tumor microcirculation. Unlike vessels in a normal microvasculature, tumor vessels are tortuous and leaky and the effect of these properties on blood flow will be also explored. Drug delivery in normal and tumor microcirculation will be investigated in a few steps including margination of nanoparticles towards the vessel walls, their adhesion to the targeted sites, and trafficking and distribution within the microcirculation. The results will lead to a better understanding of drug delivery by nanocarriers and will help to identify promising strategies for efficient drug delivery to tumors.	Home Institute Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-2) Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gompper Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-2) Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich

Dr. Dmitry A. Fedosov

Field of Research:

Biophysics

In Germany:

01.09.2012 - 31.08.2017

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-2)
Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ)
Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße
52428 Jülich

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gompper
Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-2)
Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ)
Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße
52428 Jülich

Prof. Dr. Jörn Fischer
Field of Research: Terrestrial ecology and sociobiology In Germany: 01.11.2010 - 31.10.2015 Host's project description Rapid global change poses a serious threat to ecosystems and traditionally managed cultural landscapes, especially in poor countries. This is the focus of the transdisciplinary research programme led by Joern Fischer, which aims to examine and promote sustainable development in Eastern Europe. Particular emphasis will be placed on agricultural landscapes in Central Romania. This region may be poor in economic terms but has an unusual wealth of diversity in both natural and cultural heritage. Traditional farming methods without modern machinery or artificial fertilisers have conserved an unusually high level of biodiversity, ranging from rare plant species such as orchids to large mammals such as wolves and bears. Since Romania joined the European Union, the region now faces the difficult task of achieving a balance between material affluence and the conservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage. Joern Fischer’s research programme brings together natural scientists, social scientists, regional decision-makers and local people, to develop scenarios for the region’s sustainable development.	Home Institute Institut für Ökologie Universität Lüneburg Scharnhorststr. 1 21335 Lüneburg Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Stefan Schaltegger Institut für Ökologie Universität Lüneburg Scharnhorststr. 1 21335 Lüneburg

Prof. Dr. Jörn Fischer

Field of Research:

Terrestrial ecology and sociobiology

In Germany:

01.11.2010 - 31.10.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Ökologie
Universität Lüneburg
Scharnhorststr. 1
21335 Lüneburg

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Stefan Schaltegger
Institut für Ökologie
Universität Lüneburg
Scharnhorststr. 1
21335 Lüneburg

Prof. Dr. Brian C. Freeman
Field of Research: Biochemistry In Germany: 01.05.2013 - 31.05.2013 Host's project description Professor Freeman is an internationally recognized biochemist who has made important contributions on the roles and mechanisms of proteins that protect our cells, the so-called heat shock proteins. He has made seminal discoveries from the early recognition of some heat shock proteins serving as molecular chaperones for protein folding, to more recent insights on the roles of molecular chaperones in coordinating the dynamic of gene expression and genome stability. During his stay in Germany, he will expand his studies on the effects of molecular chaperones with DNA-associated proteins by incorporating biophysical approaches to gain more rigorous mechanistic insights.	Home Institute Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 601 South Goodwin Avenue 61801 Urbana Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Johannes Buchner Department für Chemie Technische Universität München Lichtenbergstr. 4 85748 Garching

Prof. Dr. Brian C. Freeman

Field of Research:

Biochemistry

In Germany:

01.05.2013 - 31.05.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
601 South Goodwin Avenue
61801 Urbana

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Johannes Buchner
Department für Chemie
Technische Universität München
Lichtenbergstr. 4
85748 Garching

Prof. Dr. Fabrizio Gabbiani
Field of Research: Neurophysiology In Germany: 01.08.2012 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor Gabbiani is a leading scientist in the field of computational neuroscience and the neurophysiology of insects. He is internationally renowed for analyzing the neural release mechanism of the escape response in grasshoppers, combining theory and experiment in a unique way. This led to the discovery of the mechanisms by which individual nerve cells perform some principle arithmetic operations, for example a multiplication of incoming signals. During his stay in Germany, he intends to study the neural circuit underlying motion vision in flies.	Home Institute Department of Neuroscience Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza 77030 Houston Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Alexander Borst Department of Systems and Computational Neurobiology MPI für Neurobiologie Am Klopferspitz 18a 82152 Planegg-Martinsried

Prof. Dr. Fabrizio Gabbiani

Field of Research:

Neurophysiology

In Germany:

01.08.2012 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Neuroscience
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
77030 Houston

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Alexander Borst
Department of Systems and Computational Neurobiology
MPI für Neurobiologie
Am Klopferspitz 18a
82152 Planegg-Martinsried

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Gaul
Field of Research: Animal genetics In Germany: 01.01.2009 - Host's project description Ulrike Gaul is a world leader and innovative expert in systems biology, a research field which has not yet fully established itself in Germany. Rather than isolating individual genes or proteins systems biology investigates their combined impact in the body. At the Munich Gene Centre, Gaul is expected to raise systems biology research to international cutting-edge level and network with other working groups through interdisciplinary collaboration.	Home Institute Gene Center at the Department of Chemistry Universität München Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25 81377 München

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Gaul

Field of Research:

Animal genetics

In Germany:

01.01.2009 -

Host's project description

Home Institute

Gene Center at the Department of Chemistry
Universität München
Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25
81377 München

Prof. Dr. Henrique P. von Gersdorff
Field of Research: Neurophysiology In Germany: 01.10.2012 - 30.09.2013 Host's project description Professor von Gersdorff is a leading neurophysiologist and expert in the field of synaptic transmission in sensory systems. With his work on synapses in the retina, inner ear and auditory pathway he has made seminal contributions to our understanding of synaptic transmission and sensory processing. In the nineteen nineties he pioneered studies of fundamental mechanisms of exocytosis and endocytosis at presynaptic active zones of retinal neurons. Professor von Gersdorff's interest in synaptic plasticity led him to highly recognized studies of short-term plasticity at the calyx of Held synapse in the auditory pathway. In Germany he continues his research on synapses in eye and ear.	Home Institute Vollum Institute Oregon Health & Science University 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road 97239 Portland Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Tobias Moser InnerEarLab, Department of Otolaryngology Universität Göttingen Robert-Koch-Str. 40 37075 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Henrique P. von Gersdorff

Field of Research:

Neurophysiology

In Germany:

01.10.2012 - 30.09.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Vollum Institute
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
97239 Portland

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Tobias Moser
InnerEarLab, Department of Otolaryngology
Universität Göttingen
Robert-Koch-Str. 40
37075 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Michael H. Glickman
Field of Research: Biochemistry In Germany: 01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013 Host's project description Professor Dr. Michael Glickman from the Technicon-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel Professor Glickman is internationally renowned for his research on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), an important mediator of cellular protein turnover involved in diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. In Berlin, he will continue his collaborative research at the MDC and participate in the new German-Israeli Helmholtz Research School "SignGene". Professor Glickman is hosted by Professors Rosenthal and Sommer at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin.	Home Institute Department of Biology Technion-Israel Institute of Technology 32000 Haifa Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Robert-Rössle-Str. 10 13122 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Michael H. Glickman

Field of Research:

Biochemistry

In Germany:

01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Biology
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
32000 Haifa

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC)
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10
13122 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Jochen Guck
Field of Research: Cell biophysics In Germany: 01.01.2012 - Host's project description Jochen Guck has the reputation of being one of the world’s best and most innovative researchers in the field of biophysics. A physicist by trade, he conducts research at the interface to biology and biomedicine. His work currently focuses on the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. Guck is to take over the chair of “Cellular Machines” at the Biotechnology Centre of TU Dresden (BIOTEC) and work with the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence, and the Collaborative Research Center for stem cell research, thereby strengthening Dresden’s leading international position in the field of bioengineering.	Home Institute Biotec - Biotechnologisches Zentrum Technische Universität Dresden Tatzberg 47/49 01307 Dresden

Prof. Dr. Jochen Guck

Field of Research:

Cell biophysics

In Germany:

01.01.2012 -

Host's project description

Home Institute

Biotec - Biotechnologisches Zentrum
Technische Universität Dresden
Tatzberg 47/49
01307 Dresden

Prof. Dr. Seyed E. Hasnain
Field of Research: Microbiology In Germany: 01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013 Host's project description Professor Hasnain is well known internationally for his outstanding research on the analyses of infectious diseases due to bacteria. He has made important contributions to the pathogenicity and epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Beside the development of methods to rapidly detect and type bacterial pathogens, especially mycobacteria, he identified new antigenic substances of M. tuberculosis which represent promising vaccine candidates against mycobacteria. In Germany, he continues his research on the population structure and genome content of pathogenic bacteria, especially Escherichia coli and staphylocci.	Home Institute School of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad Central University (PO) 500046 Hyderabad Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Jörg-Hinrich Hacker Leopoldina - Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Emil-Abderhalden Str. 37 06108 Halle (Saale)

Prof. Dr. Seyed E. Hasnain

Field of Research:

Microbiology

In Germany:

01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

School of Life Sciences
University of Hyderabad
Central University (PO)
500046 Hyderabad

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Jörg-Hinrich Hacker
Leopoldina - Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften
Emil-Abderhalden Str. 37
06108 Halle (Saale)

Prof. Erik Mathias Jorgensen
Field of Research: Neurobiology In Germany: 01.08.2012 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor Erik Jorgensen is one of the world's preeminent scientists in the field of synaptic transmission. Using the nematode C. elegans as a model organism, he has made groundbreaking contributions in providing a basic understanding of how synapses and their molecular players operate. During his stay in Germany, he intends to utilize combinatorial techniques to correlate the function of the central mammalian synapse during neurotransmitter release with corresponding changes to its ultrastructural organization.	Home Institute Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Utah 257 South 1400 East 84112-0840 Salt Lake City Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Christian Rosenmund Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Prof. Erik Mathias Jorgensen

Field of Research:

Neurobiology

In Germany:

01.08.2012 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
University of Utah
257 South 1400 East
84112-0840 Salt Lake City

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Christian Rosenmund
Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin

Dr. Kerstin Kaufmann
Field of Research: Pure research in plant biology In Germany: 01.12.2012 - 30.11.2017 Host's project description The development of flowers is one of the best understood and economically most important developmental processes in plants. Flower formation relies on the coordinated action of regulatory proteins, so-called transcription factors; these proteins control the spatial and time-dependent activity of myriads of other genes present in the organism. The goal of Dr. Kaufmann´s research is to unravel how one family of such master regulators (namely the MADS-box factors) coordinate cellular differentiation to generate specific floral organ morphologies. While her previous ground-breaking work focused on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), Dr. Kaufmann will now extend her studies to two other, closely related plant species, using a combination of cutting-edge genomics- and proteomics-based techniques, in conjunction with biocomputational data analysis. This research will reveal the degree of evolutionary conservation of floral master regulators and how the diversification of their target genes may have contributed to the morphological variation we see in the flowering part of our world.	Home Institute Institut für Biochemie und Biologie Universität Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26 14476 Golm Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Bernd Müller-Röber Institut für Biochemie und Biologie Universität Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26 14476 Golm

Dr. Kerstin Kaufmann

Field of Research:

Pure research in plant biology

In Germany:

01.12.2012 - 30.11.2017

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Biochemie und Biologie
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26
14476 Golm

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Bernd Müller-Röber
Institut für Biochemie und Biologie
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26
14476 Golm

Prof. Dr. Sabeeha Merchant
Field of Research: Plant biochemistry In Germany: 01.04.2013 - 30.06.2013 Host's project description Professor Merchant is a leading scientist in the field of plant molecular biology and biochemistry. She is best known for her pioneering studies on the biology of trace metal nutrition and her great contributions to genomics and photosynthesis in algae. Her research has established paradigms for metal cofactor sparing and recycling, the impact of which extends far beyond plant biology. During her stay in Germany, Professor Merchant intends to further develop systems biology approaches in algae and explore the functions of new proteins that are linked to the evolution of photosynthesis.	Home Institute Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 607 Charles E. Young Drive 90095-1569 Los Angeles Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Ralph Bock MPI für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie Am Mühlenberg 1 14476 Potsdam/Golm

Prof. Dr. Sabeeha Merchant

Field of Research:

Plant biochemistry

In Germany:

01.04.2013 - 30.06.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
607 Charles E. Young Drive
90095-1569 Los Angeles

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Ralph Bock
MPI für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie
Am Mühlenberg 1
14476 Potsdam/Golm

Prof. Dr. Andreas Möglich
Field of Research: Biophysical chemistry In Germany: 01.07.2010 - 30.06.2015 Host's project description To enable plants to grow towards the light, so-called photo-receptor proteins become active at molecular level. Light guides functions and behaviour in other organisms, too. Optogenetics, a new research field in which scientists like Andreas Möglich seek to influence or control genetically modified cells with the aid of light, takes advantage of this. In this manner, various naturally occurring photoreceptors have already been introduced in foreign organisms. Andreas Möglich aims to examine the function of natural photo-receptors more closely in order to make artificial photo-receptors. These artificial light switches can be employed and made use of in target organisms, for example to control the behaviour of laboratory animals such as worms or fruit-flies without involving any physical contact or to stimulate cells for therapeutic purposes.	Home Institute Institut für Biologie, Biophysik Humboldt-Universität Berlin Invalidenstr. 42 / Neubau 10115 Berlin Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Peter Hegemann Institut für Biologie, Biophysik Humboldt-Universität Berlin Invalidenstr. 42 / Neubau 10115 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Andreas Möglich

Field of Research:

Biophysical chemistry

In Germany:

01.07.2010 - 30.06.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Biologie, Biophysik
Humboldt-Universität Berlin
Invalidenstr. 42 / Neubau
10115 Berlin

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Peter Hegemann
Institut für Biologie, Biophysik
Humboldt-Universität Berlin
Invalidenstr. 42 / Neubau
10115 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Andrew Nok
Field of Research: Biochemistry In Germany: 01.03.2013 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor J. A. Nok from the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria Professor Nok is internationally well known for his outstanding research in molecular parasitology, such as African trypanosomiasis and malaria. In his ground breaking research he addresses both, fundamental questions and practical aspects of the diseases. During his stay in Germany he will pursue two innovative project lines, (1) to create DNA vaccines against these diseases and (2) to build an African network addressing the phylogenetic diversity of tsetse flies, the vector of trypansomes. Professor Nok is hosted by Professor Kelm at the Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen at the University Bremen.	Home Institute Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry Ahmadu Bello University Samaru ZA 800001 Zaria Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Sorge Kelm Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen (CBIB) Universität Bremen Leobener Straße 28359 Bremen

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Andrew Nok

Field of Research:

Biochemistry

In Germany:

01.03.2013 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry
Ahmadu Bello University
Samaru ZA
800001 Zaria

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Sorge Kelm
Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen (CBIB)
Universität Bremen
Leobener Straße
28359 Bremen

Dr. Ulf A. Orom
Field of Research: Molecular biology In Germany: 01.07.2012 - 30.06.2017 Host's project description The human genome contains tens of thousands of long noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), which constitute a major part of the regulatory network in higher eukaryotes. This adds an unprecedented layer of complexity to many yet unresolved questions in molecular biology. Ulf Ørom has identified and experimentally characterized long ncRNAs with regulatory roles in gene expression through various approaches. He has described long ncRNAs as enhancers of transcription, together with long-range regulatory effects on transcription. Now, he wants to unravel mechanistic details of long ncRNA function, with a special focus on their role in long-range transcriptional regulation of gene expression. His goal is to establish enhancer regulome networks to uncover the complexity of gene regulation in further detail. Understanding these mechanisms and the properties of long ncRNAs will have a vast potential for specific regulation of gene expression, with possible therapeutic prospect, due to the possibilities of regulating RNA expression in vivo.	Home Institute Abt. Bioinformatik MPI für molekulare Genetik Ihnestraße 63/73 14195 Berlin Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Martin Vingron Abt. Bioinformatik MPI für molekulare Genetik Ihnestraße 63/73 14195 Berlin

Dr. Ulf A. Orom

Field of Research:

Molecular biology

In Germany:

01.07.2012 - 30.06.2017

Host's project description

Home Institute

Abt. Bioinformatik
MPI für molekulare Genetik
Ihnestraße 63/73
14195 Berlin

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Martin Vingron
Abt. Bioinformatik
MPI für molekulare Genetik
Ihnestraße 63/73
14195 Berlin

Prof. Dr. Robert E. Page
Field of Research: Animal genetics In Germany: 01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013	Home Institute School of Life Sciences Arizona State University 85287-4501 Tempe Host in Germany Priv. Doz. Dr. Ricarda Scheiner Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, - Zoophysiologie - Universität Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26 14476 Potsdam

Prof. Dr. Robert E. Page

Field of Research:

Animal genetics

In Germany:

01.06.2013 - 30.06.2013

Home Institute

School of Life Sciences
Arizona State University
85287-4501 Tempe

Host in Germany

Priv. Doz. Dr. Ricarda Scheiner
Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, - Zoophysiologie -
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26
14476 Potsdam

Dr. Simone Pika
Field of Research: Behavioural physiology, ethology In Germany: 01.10.2010 - 30.09.2015 Host's project description Human speech is unique in the animal kingdom and has often been used to define what it means to 'be human'. Already during the first year of life, children start to use nascent forms of communicative skills, mainly pre-linguistic gestures. But how do these gestures differ within various human cultures or between humans and animals? Simone Pika is investigating this question by comparing the development and use of gestural communication in different human cultures as well as between closely related species such as humans, chimpanzees and bonobos and between species which live in comparable social systems like chimpanzees and ravens. This innovative approach will allow new insights into the gestural origins of human speech, its cognitive underpinnings and the interplay between ontogenetic and phylogenetic factors.	Home Institute Research Group "Comparative Gestural Signalling" MPI für Ornithologie Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse 82319 Seewiesen Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Bart Kempenaers Research Group "Comparative Gestural Signalling" MPI für Ornithologie Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse 82319 Seewiesen

Dr. Simone Pika

Field of Research:

Behavioural physiology, ethology

In Germany:

01.10.2010 - 30.09.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

Research Group "Comparative Gestural Signalling"
MPI für Ornithologie
Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse
82319 Seewiesen

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Bart Kempenaers
Research Group "Comparative Gestural Signalling"
MPI für Ornithologie
Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse
82319 Seewiesen

Prof. Dr. Janet Richmond
Field of Research: Neurophysiology In Germany: 01.05.2013 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor Janet Richmond has pioneered the neurophysiological analysis of the nematode C. elegans, a major model organism in the life sciences. She was the first biologist - and still is one of only a handful - to combine genetics and electrophysiology in order to study synaptic transmission by nerve cells in C. elegans. Through her groundbreaking work, Professor Richmond has characterized key steps in the neurotransmitter release process at nerve cell synapses. In Germany, she will study basic mechanisms of nerve cell function and their perturbations in disease models.	Home Institute Department of Biological Sciences, 4309 SEL M/C 067 University of Illinois at Chicago 840 West Taylor Street 60607 Chicago Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Nils Brose Abteilung Molekulare Neurobiologie MPI für experimentelle Medizin Hermann-Rein-Str. 3 37075 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Janet Richmond

Field of Research:

Neurophysiology

In Germany:

01.05.2013 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Biological Sciences, 4309 SEL M/C 067
University of Illinois at Chicago
840 West Taylor Street
60607 Chicago

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Nils Brose
Abteilung Molekulare Neurobiologie
MPI für experimentelle Medizin
Hermann-Rein-Str. 3
37075 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Burkhard Rost
Field of Research: Informatics in biology, computer science in biology In Germany: 01.06.2009 - Host's project description Burkhard Rost is one of the researchers who has decisively shaped the development of bioinformatics into the indispensable discipline we know today. He is expected to provide new impetus and be a driving force for his subject in Germany and also build a bridge between biological sciences and medicine. To this end he will gather together a top-flight researcher group.	Home Institute Fakultät für Informatik Technische Universität München Boltzmannstraße 3 85748 Garching

Prof. Dr. Burkhard Rost

Field of Research:

Informatics in biology, computer science in biology

In Germany:

01.06.2009 -

Host's project description

Home Institute

Fakultät für Informatik
Technische Universität München
Boltzmannstraße 3
85748 Garching

Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Siemens
Field of Research: Neurophysiology In Germany: 01.01.2009 - 31.12.2013 Host's project description Mammals including humans are homeothermic animals, which means that they maintain a very constant core body temperature around 37°C. It has long been known that a region of the brain called the hypothalamus contains neurons that sense tiny changes in temperature around the set-point of 37°C. The hypothalamus is also involved in controlling body temperature. It is increasingly appreciated that temperature sensors in the body may convey input to the hypothalamus to help this control center to maintian the correct core temperature. In essence one can view the hypothalamus as the central thermostat of the brain. Despite this knowledge there is remarkably little known about the molecular mechanisms by which neurons actually sense cooling and warming of the body. Dr. Siemens has already made key contributions to characterizing a thermosensitive ion channel called TRPM8 that is specifically activated by cooling. He now wishes to elucidate the contribution of this temperature sensor in helping the central thermostat to maintain normal core temperature. The discovery of molecules that are required for the maintenance of body temperature will be of fundamental importance as this is an unchartered frontier in molecular sensing.	Home Institute Pharmakologisches Institut, Abteilung Molekulare Pharmakologie Universität Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366 69120 Heidelberg Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Rohini Kuner Pharmakologisches Institut, Abteilung Molekulare Pharmakologie Universität Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 366 69120 Heidelberg

Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Siemens

Field of Research:

Neurophysiology

In Germany:

01.01.2009 - 31.12.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Pharmakologisches Institut, Abteilung Molekulare Pharmakologie
Universität Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366
69120 Heidelberg

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Rohini Kuner
Pharmakologisches Institut, Abteilung Molekulare Pharmakologie
Universität Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366
69120 Heidelberg

Dr. Athanasios Typas
Field of Research: Microbe genetics In Germany: 01.08.2012 - 31.07.2017 Host's project description Bacteria play a crucial role in life on Earth. They help us digest our food, dispose of our waste, and helped to create the planet's atmosphere. Others are deadly and the cause of numerous diseases. Bacteria often live in multispecies communities, and can be found in environments as diverse as deep-sea trenches and the human gut. Recent advances in sequencing technologies and fields such as metagenomics - which applies genomic analysis to entire communities of microbes - have led to an immense increase in genomic sequence information that could transform our understanding of the the role of bacteria in health and the environment. Yet crucial questions remain unanswered. Scientists know little about the role played by up to one third of known genes, even in the most commonly studied bacteria species. Less is known about how genes and proteins organise into modules and how these modules interconnect. Working on the intersection of systems approaches and molecular mechanisms, Dr. Typas' work could significantly increase our understanding of the function of genes, and how these genes organize in pathways, enabling the organism to proliferate in diverse enviroments, but also interact with each other. Dr. Typas' research focuses in particular on the cell envelope - the outer wall of a bacterium's cell, which selects what can and can't enter the cell, and through which the bacterium senses its environment. By unravelling its architecture, the research could shed light on a wide range of mechanisms, such as antibiotic resistance, virulence, and biofilm formation - mulitcellular communties of bacteria that attach to surfaces and can be highly resistant to antibiotics. The work could also lead to the identification of new potential drug targets.	Home Institute Genome Biology EMBL Heidelberg - European Molecular Biology Laboratory Meyerhofstrasse 1 69117 Heidelberg Host in Germany Dr. Lars Steinmetz Genome Biology EMBL Heidelberg - European Molecular Biology Laboratory Meyerhofstrasse 1 69117 Heidelberg

Dr. Athanasios Typas

Field of Research:

Microbe genetics

In Germany:

01.08.2012 - 31.07.2017

Host's project description

Home Institute

Genome Biology
EMBL Heidelberg - European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Meyerhofstrasse 1
69117 Heidelberg

Host in Germany

Dr. Lars Steinmetz
Genome Biology
EMBL Heidelberg - European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Meyerhofstrasse 1
69117 Heidelberg

Dr. Mirka Uhlirova
Field of Research: Molecular genetics In Germany: 01.11.2008 - 31.10.2013 Host's project description Cancer has many causes. Almost any mechanism in a cell can be modified by molecular defects in such a way that it is diverted from its normal function to a pathological function that contributes to the development of cancer. But it is not sufficient for a cell to change its internal controls to become a cancer cell: It also has to communicate with its environment, modify its surroundings, and inactivate or ignore control signals from its neighbours. Such interactions between signalling processes cannot easily be studied in isolated cells in vitro and are therefore only beginning to be discovered and understood. Dr. Uhlirova has chosen to study them in vivo in the whole organism, using the fruit fly Drosophila. She has discovered new genes involved in these processes and will determine their functions in cell migration and the communication between tumors and their environment.	Home Institute Institut für Genetik Universität Köln Luxemburger Straße 116 50939 Köln Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Thomas Michael Krieg Klinik und Poliklinik, Dermatologie und Venerologie Universität Köln Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9 50931 Köln Prof. Dr. Maria Leptin Institut für Genetik Universität Köln Luxemburger Straße 116 50939 Köln

Dr. Mirka Uhlirova

Field of Research:

Molecular genetics

In Germany:

01.11.2008 - 31.10.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Genetik
Universität Köln
Luxemburger Straße 116
50939 Köln

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Thomas Michael Krieg
Klinik und Poliklinik, Dermatologie und Venerologie
Universität Köln
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9
50931 Köln

Prof. Dr. Maria Leptin
Institut für Genetik
Universität Köln
Luxemburger Straße 116
50939 Köln

Dr. Dmitry Volodkin
Field of Research: Biotechnology In Germany: 01.11.2010 - 31.10.2015 Host's project description High hopes have been placed on the introduction of cell-based therapies in medicine. Stem cells are to serve the treatment of degenerative diseases in future, cells of the immune system are to be stimulated, and new drugs are to be tested more reliably, and without animal experiments, using tissue samples. For all these applications, it is necessary to be able to control the behaviour and development of cells. Adherent cells are important in such therapies. They can grow outside an organism on a surface and can also divide, and they will respond to the texture of the surface that they are growing on. Dmitry Volodkin is taking advantage of this by tailoring ultra-thin layers made out of a wide range of poly-electrolytes to suit the purpose of controlling the development of the cells. Additionally, he is modifying the poly-electrolyte layers so that their properties can be “switched on and off” by external stimuli, such as laser light, making it much easier to use them and extending the range of applications. He now wants to further examine the cellular biology, biochemical and physical aspects of this concept and attempt to enhance the potential for biomedical applications.	Home Institute Zelluläre Biotechnologie & Biochips Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (IBMT) Am Mühlenberg 13 14476 Potsdam/Golm Host in Germany Dr. Claus Duschl Zelluläre Biotechnologie & Biochips Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (IBMT) Am Mühlenberg 13 14476 Potsdam/Golm

Dr. Dmitry Volodkin

Field of Research:

Biotechnology

In Germany:

01.11.2010 - 31.10.2015

Host's project description

Home Institute

Zelluläre Biotechnologie & Biochips
Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (IBMT)
Am Mühlenberg 13
14476 Potsdam/Golm

Host in Germany

Dr. Claus Duschl
Zelluläre Biotechnologie & Biochips
Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (IBMT)
Am Mühlenberg 13
14476 Potsdam/Golm

Prof. Dr. Samuel Wagner
Field of Research: Microbiology In Germany: 01.06.2012 - 31.05.2017 Host's project description Bacteria can act on their environment through a variety of mechanisms. In particular pathogenic bacteria harbor nanomachines that can inject toxic bacterial proteins into host cells. Salmonellae accommodate several different machines of this kind, amongst others two so called type III secretion systems. How these systems secrete proteins through the bacterial cell envelope, and especially, how substrate proteins transverse the bacterial inner membrane is a hitherto poorly defined process that involves a specialized export apparatus in type III secretion systems. Dr. Wagner worked out the coordination of the assembly of the export apparatus and played an important role in uncovering a substrate sorting platform of type III secretion systems. Now, Dr. Wagner aims to elucidate the architecture of the export apparatus and to unravel the molecular mechanisms of substrate secretion. Since Salmonellae and other bacteria are unable to infect without the action of these nanomachines, Dr. Wagner's work bears great potential for developing novel antibiotics that inhibit these apparatus.	Home Institute Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie Universität Tübingen Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6 72070 Tübingen Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Ingo B. Autenrieth Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie Universität Tübingen Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6 72070 Tübingen

Prof. Dr. Samuel Wagner

Field of Research:

Microbiology

In Germany:

01.06.2012 - 31.05.2017

Host's project description

Home Institute

Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie
Universität Tübingen
Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6
72070 Tübingen

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Ingo B. Autenrieth
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie
Universität Tübingen
Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6
72070 Tübingen

Prof. Dr. Shimon Weiss
Field of Research: Biophysics In Germany: 01.06.2013 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor Weiss is a world-leading expert in the field of single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. His lab was the first to develop and introduce single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer, which has revolutionized the field of single-molecule spectroscopy. Among further achievements, he was a pioneer in introducing fluorescent semiconductor nano-crystals into the field of bioimaging, and he developed important methods of making these crystals bio-compatible and bio-conjugatable for live cell imaging. In Germany, he will continue his research on super-resolution bioimaging with fluorescence quantum dots.	Home Institute Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 607 Charles E. Young Drive East 90095-1569 Los Angeles Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Jörg Enderlein Drittes Physikalisches Institut - Biologische Physik/Komplexe Systeme Universität Göttingen Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1 37077 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Shimon Weiss

Field of Research:

Biophysics

In Germany:

01.06.2013 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
607 Charles E. Young Drive East
90095-1569 Los Angeles

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Jörg Enderlein
Drittes Physikalisches Institut - Biologische Physik/Komplexe Systeme
Universität Göttingen
Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1
37077 Göttingen

Prof. Dr. Klaas van Wijk
Field of Research: Pure research in plant biology In Germany: 01.01.2013 - 31.07.2013 Host's project description Professor van Wijk is internationally known for his outstanding work in proteomics in plants. Proteomics involves the use of cutting edge methods from chemistry and physics to study the abundance and characteristics of protein. His research is exemplified on the one hand by high technical proficiency and on the other hand by focused application to important biological questions related to photosynthesis. He is particularly renowned for his large scale systems comparative analysis of leaf development and cell-specific differentiation in leaves of species that perform photosynthesis solely via the Calvin-Benson cycle, and in species that additionally have a so-called C4 cycle. The C4 cycle is a cycle of carboxylation and decarboxylation of organic acids, linked to their movement between specialised cell types. It allows carbon dioxide to be concentrated inside the leaf, thus facilitating a higher rate of photosynthesis while decreasing the loss of water. His research provides important insights into how this is achieved, and provides one of the foundations for worldwide efforts to introduce this beneficial pathway into crop plants like rice and wheat.	Home Institute Department of Plant Biology Cornell University 412 Mann Library Building 14853 Ithaca Host in Germany Prof. Dr. Mark Stitt MPI für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie Am Mühlenberg 1 14476 Potsdam OT Golm

Prof. Dr. Klaas van Wijk

Field of Research:

Pure research in plant biology

In Germany:

01.01.2013 - 31.07.2013

Host's project description

Home Institute

Department of Plant Biology
Cornell University
412 Mann Library Building
14853 Ithaca

Host in Germany

Prof. Dr. Mark Stitt
MPI für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie
Am Mühlenberg 1
14476 Potsdam OT Golm