BIOSS Professorship for Functional Proteomics successfully filled

Full Professor Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS Institute of Biology II University of Freiburg

Bettina Warscheid is the new Professor for Functional Proteomics and joined the BIOSS team in October 2010. Before Bettina moved to Freiburg, she worked at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where she was appointed as Professor for Clinical & Cellular Proteomics in 2009. Bettina received her doctorate degree in chemistry from the Technical University Dortmund in 2002 and then specialized in biological mass spectrometry and proteomics during her postdoctoral stay with Professor C. Fenselau at the University of Maryland, USA. After her return to Germany, she worked as group leader with Professor H. E. Meyer at the Medizinisches Proteom-Center in Bochum and was appointed Professor for Protein Mass Spectrometry at the Ruhr-University of Bochum in 2004.

Her research focuses on the characterization of organelles and subcellular structures using functional proteomic methodologies. One of her major interests lies in the elucidation of the intricate membrane protein interaction networks of peroxisomes and mitochondria from yeast to human in order to obtain new insights into the mechanisms underlying biogenesis or protein import processes and their regulation. Further research addresses intracellular signaling pathways associated with Z-disc function as well as GPCR-mediated signaling networks. In her research, high resolution mass spectrometry along with bioinformatics tools is employed as key technology and a collection of molecular biological, biochemical, and proteome analytical methods are used in combination.

Organelles and multiprotein complexes are highly dynamic functional entities within cells, which undergo specific changes in composition and abundance in response to internal or external cues. In the new Freiburger laboratory, the Warscheid group will delineate protein interaction networks and decipher the stoichiometry as well as the dynamics of membrane protein complexes and signaling pathways associated with mitochondria, peroxisomes and the Z-disc.

• What are you particularly looking forward to in Freiburg?

  Riding my bike to the office, working in a vivid and friendly atmosphere as well as discovering the regional products and surroundings.

• What is one of your major objectives in BIOSS?

  To further strengthen and implement functional proteomics research in BIOSS.

• What is your impression of your new work environment?

BIOSS is clearly a valued and vital part of the Freiburger scientific community. It’s fun to contribute and be part of it!