Invited speakers

Matthias FischerMPI for Marine Microbiology

Vir­uses play an im­port­ant role in the en­vir­on­ment: They con­trol the health and growth of all or­gan­isms, in­flu­ence nu­tri­ent cycles, shift ge­netic in­form­a­tion and drive the evol­u­tion of their hosts. Vir­uses can be found wherever liv­ing or­gan­isms re­pro­duce - in salt and fresh wa­ter, in soil and sed­i­ments, even the at­mo­sphere con­tains aer­o­sols loaded with virus particles.

With the help of new tech­no­lo­gies, es­pe­cially the cost-ef­fect­ive se­quen­cing of DNA mo­lecules, it has been pos­sible to de­scribe an un­ima­gin­able vari­ety of vir­uses in re­cent dec­ades. We now know that a large part of the ge­netic reser­voir on our planet is stored in the gen­omes of vir­uses. However, ex­actly how in­di­vidual vir­uses have ad­ap­ted to their hosts and in­ter­act with their en­vir­on­ment re­mains largely un­known.

Matthias FischerMPI for Marine Microbiology

Vir­uses play an im­port­ant role in the en­vir­on­ment: They con­trol the health and growth of all or­gan­isms, in­flu­ence nu­tri­ent cycles, shift ge­netic in­form­a­tion and drive the evol­u­tion of their hosts. Vir­uses can be found wherever liv­ing or­gan­isms re­pro­duce - in salt and fresh wa­ter, in soil and sed­i­ments, even the at­mo­sphere con­tains aer­o­sols loaded with virus particles.

With the help of new tech­no­lo­gies, es­pe­cially the cost-ef­fect­ive se­quen­cing of DNA mo­lecules, it has been pos­sible to de­scribe an un­ima­gin­able vari­ety of vir­uses in re­cent dec­ades. We now know that a large part of the ge­netic reser­voir on our planet is stored in the gen­omes of vir­uses. However, ex­actly how in­di­vidual vir­uses have ad­ap­ted to their hosts and in­ter­act with their en­vir­on­ment re­mains largely un­known.

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Leanid LaganenkaMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

In nature, bacteria coordinate their behavior at the group level based on cell density and community structure through a process known as quorum sensing. Despite the molecular diversity of quorum sensing systems across bacterial species, all rely on the production and detection of small signaling molecules called autoinducers. While most autoinducers facilitate intraspecies communication, only one - autoinducer-2 (AI-2) - is known to be produced by a variety of bacteria, enabling interspecies and potentially even interdomain communication.

Using Klebsiella pneumoniae as a model organism, we aim to understand the principles of interspecies signaling in establishing bacteria-bacteria and bacteria-host interactions, including infection. Specifically, we investigate how AI-2 signaling regulates cell physiology, collective behavior, and host-microbe interactions in this lung pathogen. In particular, we explore how AI-2 signaling mediates interactions between K. pneumoniae and innate immune cells.

We are also interested in how AI-2 signaling in K. pneumoniae influences its ability to persist outside the human host and interact with environmental bacteria.

For these purposes, we utilize a combination of in vitro techniques (including proteomics, flow cytometry, and advanced imaging) and in vivo models (such as a mouse model of gut colonization and pneumonia).

Leanid LaganenkaMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

In nature, bacteria coordinate their behavior at the group level based on cell density and community structure through a process known as quorum sensing. Despite the molecular diversity of quorum sensing systems across bacterial species, all rely on the production and detection of small signaling molecules called autoinducers. While most autoinducers facilitate intraspecies communication, only one - autoinducer-2 (AI-2) - is known to be produced by a variety of bacteria, enabling interspecies and potentially even interdomain communication.

Using Klebsiella pneumoniae as a model organism, we aim to understand the principles of interspecies signaling in establishing bacteria-bacteria and bacteria-host interactions, including infection. Specifically, we investigate how AI-2 signaling regulates cell physiology, collective behavior, and host-microbe interactions in this lung pathogen. In particular, we explore how AI-2 signaling mediates interactions between K. pneumoniae and innate immune cells.

We are also interested in how AI-2 signaling in K. pneumoniae influences its ability to persist outside the human host and interact with environmental bacteria.

For these purposes, we utilize a combination of in vitro techniques (including proteomics, flow cytometry, and advanced imaging) and in vivo models (such as a mouse model of gut colonization and pneumonia).

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Adrian BunzelMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

The global energy crisis challenges us to develop more efficient strategies and innovative solutions to harness solar energy. Enzymes are nature's solutions to the challenges of catalysis, honed by billions of years of evolution. In our group, we combine computational design and directed evolution to engineer enzymes for solar energy conversion. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, we create photoenzymes for carbon capture, electricity production, and nitrogen fixation.

Adrian BunzelMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

The global energy crisis challenges us to develop more efficient strategies and innovative solutions to harness solar energy. Enzymes are nature's solutions to the challenges of catalysis, honed by billions of years of evolution. In our group, we combine computational design and directed evolution to engineer enzymes for solar energy conversion. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, we create photoenzymes for carbon capture, electricity production, and nitrogen fixation.

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Judith KlattMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

The Biogeochemistry lab aims at deepening our understanding of microbially driven element cycling in Earth’s present and past humid realm - by studying a wide range of ecosystems and microbial key players.

Judith KlattMPI for Terrestrial Microbiology

The Biogeochemistry lab aims at deepening our understanding of microbially driven element cycling in Earth’s present and past humid realm - by studying a wide range of ecosystems and microbial key players.

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Industry Talks

BIOSPRING

BioSpring is an industry leader in nucleic acid manufacturing technology.
As an expert in this field with a quarter century of experience, BioSpring successfully delivers innovative solutions for the manufacturing and analysis of nucleic acid therapeutics and diagnostics spanning the complete lifecycle: from discovery to commercial use. Clients can rely on BioSpring’s precision and strict cGMP compliance – guided by our expertise, passion for innovation and more than 25 years of experience.

Our aim is a highly collaborative partnership to unleash the full potential of our clients' technology - making great strides and breakthroughs possible.

https://www.biospring.de/

BIOSPRING

BioSpring is an industry leader in nucleic acid manufacturing technology.
As an expert in this field with a quarter century of experience, BioSpring successfully delivers innovative solutions for the manufacturing and analysis of nucleic acid therapeutics and diagnostics spanning the complete lifecycle: from discovery to commercial use. Clients can rely on BioSpring’s precision and strict cGMP compliance – guided by our expertise, passion for innovation and more than 25 years of experience.

Our aim is a highly collaborative partnership to unleash the full potential of our clients' technology - making great strides and breakthroughs possible.

https://www.biospring.de/

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CSL Behring

Leading the way on rare and serious diseases
We are a global biotechnology leader focused on serving patients’ needs. Our scientists use the latest technologies to develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat rare and serious diseases, including immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases, hereditary and acquired bleeding disorders, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), hereditary angioedema (HAE), and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, as well as transplantation and critical care.

CSL Behring

Leading the way on rare and serious diseases
We are a global biotechnology leader focused on serving patients’ needs. Our scientists use the latest technologies to develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat rare and serious diseases, including immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases, hereditary and acquired bleeding disorders, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), hereditary angioedema (HAE), and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, as well as transplantation and critical care.

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Contact us

 

Please, refer to your current PhD reps for any questions.

phd-reps@mpi-marburg.mpg.de