An accomplished expert in bioengineering, particularly in the design of customized integrative organ-on chip-, microfluidics- and multi-omics analytical platforms, a recently signed cooperation agreement between Helmholtz Munich and the University of Leipzig enables Prof. Meier to continue part of his innovative technology-driven lab operations @HelmholtzMunich’s PioneerCampus.
The scientific motivation for this partnership is routed in the desire of both organizations to facilitate the seamless continuation of Prof. Meier’s extremely successful research toward the generation of genuine human pancreatic lineages from pluripotent stem cells for functional tissue replacement in diabetic patients, at the same time yielding fundamentally novel insights into the earliest stages of ductal pancreatic cancer formation.
Meier’s cross-departmental efforts integrate the hosting Helmholtz Munich Pioneer Campus, the Diabetes- and Computational Health Centers and have recently been recognized and accelerated through one of the Helmholtz Association´s validation project grants worth €1mio. ‘These successes beautifully illustrate the tech-development and translational ambition of Helmholtz Munich and the Helmholtz Association‘ states Prof. Matthias Tschöp, Vice President of Helmholtz Health, CEO of HelmholtzMunich and Humboldt Professor at the TU-Munich, the mastermind behind and one of the founding directors of the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus. Not the least, maintaining a functional lab in Munich enable Prof. Meier to proactively contribute to the thriving, inter-institutional organotypic research community that involves both Munich’s excellent universities and both regional and national partners.
In parallel, Matthias Meier conceptualizes the restructuring process of the Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the University of Leipzig toward a bioengineering concepts-driven transfer Institute in Saxony. ‚We very much welcome Matthias Meier’s move to Leipzig‘s Life Sciences Faculty’, states Prof. Matthias Blüher, Professor at Leipzig’s Medical Faculty and HI-MAG Director, a perfectly functioning and scientifically reputed cooperation between HelmholtzMunich und the Medical Faculty of the University of Leipzig. ‚This novel link will underscore and broaden the translational collaborations between HelmholtzMunich and the University of Leipzig, leveraging the huge potential of bioengineering concepts for 21st century biomedical solutions, diagnostics and therapies.’
Being able to continue prosperous collaborations while transitioning into a permanent academic position elsewhere also sets an intriguing example for current and future HelmholtzMunich Pioneers, respective other junior group leaders – maintaining and mutually exploring unique expertise, know-how and pursue technology innovations uninterruptedly, as showcased by Prof. Meier and his team throughout his tenure @HelmholtzMunich’s PioneerCampus.
As the German Research Center for Health and Environment, HelmholtzMunich pursues personalized medicine for diagnosis, therapy and prevention for common diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus and Lung diseases. Helmholtz Munich is a member of the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, the largest scientific organization in Germany. Excellence in science, education and infrastructure as well as targeted cooperation with thebest partners worldwide form the basis for his success in translation and technology transfer. HelmholtzMunich not only contributes to basic research, but also strives to support research that accelerates a healthier society.
Founded in 1409, the University of Leipzig is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is a full university with 14 faculties, 465 professorships and over 31,000 students. The Faculty of Life Sciences, and the Institute for Biochemistry in particular focuses on the development of medical technologies. In this context, two central research centers were established for the university: The “Center of Molecular Interactions in Biomedicine and Biotechnology" and the Biotechnological Biomedical Center (BBZ). Together with the medical faculty, our scientists aim at biological and biochemical research with the potential to transform basic research into applications in the clinic and/or in the open market.
see press release University of Leipzig