Dr. Ralf Weiskirchen is a full professor and the head of the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC) at RWTH University Aachen. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, in 1994. With a strong academic background and extensive research experience, he has expertise in various biological disciplines, such as molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and genetics. His primary research focus is on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of hepatic diseases. Specifically, he investigates the immunobiology of the liver, ranging from its healthy state to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. He places special emphasis on studying cytokine/chemokine activities and identifying new laboratory biomarkers for specific conditions. In recognition of his contributions, he was selected for inclusion in the 2024 Highly Cited Researchers list from Clarivate.
Gerd Schmitz, Professor of Laboratory Medicine is a director of the Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine at University Hospital Regensburg. He has extensive expertise in pathobiochemistry and cytomics of in metabolic, cardiovascular, and degenerative and other diseases. Since 2008, the Institute has coordinated LipidomicNet, a large-scale FP7 collaborative project in which 26 partners form academia and industry are working on lipid droplets as dynamic organelles towards the identification of biomarkers related to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hepatic steatosis. Within the DEEP project, in close cooperation with FP7-LipidomicNet, the question will be addressed how epigenetic alterations contribute to diabesity and fully expressed metabolic syndrome.
