Research

Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of gene transcription and the principles of genomic regulation in eukaryotic cells. In the past, we have analyzed the structure and function of RNA polymerases, the key cellular enzymes transcribing our genes. We use integrated structural biology to elucidate the three-dimensional architecture of macromolecular complexes.

In addition, we conduct a functional analysis that provides mechanistic insights. Finally, systemic and computational approaches are used to unravel the principles of genomic regulation. Our long-term aim is to bring together molecular biology and systems biology and understand the expression and regulation of the genome.

Image: Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

Career

• since 2014 Director, Max-Planck-Institute for biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen
• 2010-2013 Director, Department of Biochemistry, Munich University (LMU)
• 2004-2013 Director, Gene Center Munich, LMU
• 2004-2014 Professor of Biochemistry, LMU
• 2001-2003 Tenure-track Professor of Biochemistry, LMU
• 1999-2001 Postdoctoral fellow with R. D. Kornberg, Stanford University, USA
• 1998 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, EMBL and Heidelberg University, Germany
• 1995-1998 Predoctoral fellow with C. W. Müller, EMBL Grenoble, France
• 1994 Diploma thesis in the laboratory of Prof. A.R. Fersht, Cambridge University, UK
• 1989-1995 Studied Chemistry at the Universities of Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Bristol, and Cambridge

Projects

• since 2011 Coordinator, Bavarian Research Center for Molecular Biosystems, Germany
• since 2008 Coordinator, DFG research grant network Sonderforschungsbereich 646, Germany
• since 2006 Executive board member, National Cluster of Excellence “Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich” (CIPSM), Germany
• since 2006 Member, National Cluster of excellence “Nanosystems Initiative Munich” (NIM), Germany
• since 2003 Member, Research grant network Transregio 5 “Chromatin”

Functions

• since 2012 Member of Council, European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL
• since 2011 Member, Scientific Advisory Board of the Biochemistry Center Heidelberg, Germany
• since 2010 Member, editorial board of Transcription
• since 2010 Member, council (Zukunftsrat) of the Bavarian State Government, Germany
• since 2009 Member, Scientific Advisory Board of the Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
• since 2009 Member, editorial board of The EMBO Journal
• since 2008 Member, DFG selection committee for the Heinz-Maier-Leibniz-Prize, Germany
• 2008-2009 Member, scientific-technological council of the Bavarian State Government, Germany
• 2007-2009 Dean, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy of the LMU, Germany
• since 2007 Member, research board (Forschungsrat) of the LMU, Germany

Honours and Memberships

• 2021 Hector Science Award
• 2021 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine
• 2020 International Member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), USA
• 2020 Otto Warburg Medal, Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie (GBM e.V.) and Elsevier/Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)
• 2019 Ernst Schering Prize
• 2016 Centenary Award der British Biochemical Society
• 2016 ERC Advanced Investigator Grant
• 2015 Class of 1942 James B. Sumner Lectureship
• 2015 Arthur Burkhardt-Preis
• 2015 Guest Professor at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• 2012 Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) of the Federal Republic of Germany
• 2012 Paula und Richard von Hertwig-Preis
• 2012 Visiting Professorship of the Vallee Foundation
• 2011 Feldberg Foundation Prize
• 2010 Member of the Max Planck Society, Germany
• 2010 European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Investigator
• 2010 Medal of Honour of the Robert Koch Institute, Germany
• 2009 Elected member of the European Molecular Biology Society (EMBO)
• 2009 Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 2009 Ernst-Jung-Preis für Medizin
• 2009 Family Hansen Award of the Bayer Science & Education Foundation
• 2008 Bijvoet Medal, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands
• 2007 LMUexcellent Research Professorship
• 2007 Philip-Morris Research Award
• 2006 Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz Award of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
• 2004 10th Eppendorf Award for Young European Researchers
• 2002 GlaxoSmithKline Science Award
• 2000 EMBO Young Investigator
• 2000 MSC Future Investigator Award