Dr. Ingmar Schäfer appointed as W2 professor and chair for Structural Membrane Biology at PLID and ZML in Dresden

Dr. Ingmar Schäfer has been appointed Professor and Chair of Structural Membrane Biology jointly at the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) and the Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research (ZML), effective April 1, 2024.

Dr. Ingmar Schäfer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, having previously worked as a Senior Scientist in the Department of Structural Cell Biology at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich. With a diploma in Human and Molecular Biology from Saarland University, Germany, and a PhD from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, he has gained an international reputation for his research in structural biology mainly employing cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) techniques. Throughout his entire career, Dr. Schäfer has focused on unraveling the structural and mechanistic underpinnings of cellular trafficking and signaling pathways as well as the biophysical and structural characterization of proteins involved in mRNA metabolism, critical research areas with profound implications for understanding fundamental cellular processes and disease mechanisms.

Dr. Schäfer's expertise in single particle cryoEM will be instrumental in advancing structural membrane biology research in Dresden. A remarkable feature of Dr. Schäfer's appointment is that the newly established chair is the first professorship to focus specifically on structural biology not only in Dresden but also in the entire Free State of Saxony and within the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). CryoEM technologies enable the visualization of biological structures at near-atomic resolution, providing unprecedented insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular function and disease pathology In his new position at the PLID/ZML, Dr. Schäfer will apply his expertise to perform structural and mechanistic studies of signaling pathways in pancreatic islet. The exploration of intricate membrane architectures and dynamic signaling processes will pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries with far-reaching implications in the field of diabetes research.

When asked about his decision to come to Dresden, Dr. Schäfer expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities for collaboration within the state-of-the-art research environment offered by the PLID/ZML, the Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and the broader research ecosystem in Dresden. He emphasized his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing scientific inquiry through innovative approaches.

"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter of my career at TU Dresden," said Ingmar Schäfer. "The opportunity to merge my expertise in structural and biochemical studies with the collaborative spirit and state-of-the-art facilities available here is truly unparalleled. I look forward to contributing to the vibrant scientific community in Dresden and beyond."

About TU Dresden

The Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) is one of Germany's niversities of Excellence, esteemed for its exceptional standards in research and teaching spanning diverse fields. The Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden is dedicated to propelling medical science and healthcare forward through interdisciplinary collaboration and pioneering research.

About PLID / ZML

The Paul Langerhans Institute of Helmholtz Munich at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden (PLID) contributes decisively to a better understanding of the mechanisms of the disease and to explore new therapeutic options. The institute is a founding-partner of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.) and has been a satellite institute of Helmholtz Munich since January 2015. Its program comprises research into the pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The main focus is on the mechanisms which cause the destruction and/or limited function of pancreatic beta cells and insufficient insulin secretion. In addition, the PLID also plays an outstanding role as only German transplant center for human pancreatic islet cells.

The Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research (ZML) is a research unit of the Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of the TU Dresden. Its mission is to foster basic lipid research and membrane biochemistry for a fundamental and systematic understanding of the molecular basis of metabolic diseases and cancer. The research center integrates analytical, biochemical, biophysical, computational and structural methods to understand lipid function, dysfunction and interaction with other molecules.

About DZD

The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is a national association that brings together experts in the field of diabetes research and combines basic research, translational research, epidemiology and clinical applications. The aim is to develop novel strategies for personalized prevention and treatment of diabetes. Members are Helmholtz Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, the German Diabetes Center in Düsseldorf, the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrücke, the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of Helmholtz Munich at the University Medical Center Carl Gustav Carus of the TU Dresden and the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of Helmholtz Munich at the Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen together