Everything you should know
ABOUT US
Kai Simons
Founder and CEO
In 1975, he moved to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, where he started the Cell Biology Program, which became the focal point for molecular cell biology in Europe. In 2001 Kai Simons moved to Dresden to build up the new Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. This Institute is today an internationally recognized center in its area of research.
His recent research has focused on cell membrane organization and function. He has pioneered the concept of lipid rafts as a membrane organizing principle, based on the phase-separating capabilities of sphingolipids and cholesterol in cell membranes. For his contributions to cell biology, Kai has received numerous accolades, including the Keith Porter Lecturer of the American Society for Cell Biology, a Harvey Society Lecturer, Dunham Lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and Li Lecturer, UC Berkeley.
He has received the Anders Jahre Prize for Medical Research, the Runeberg Prize, Finland, the Laurens van Deenen Medal, University of Utrecht, the Schleiden Medal of the Academy Leopoldina and the Äyräpää Prize, Finland.He is Doctor Honoris Causa at the Universities of Geneva, Oulu and Kuopio, Finland and Leuven, Belgium. Kai is a foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, and was the President of the European Life Scientist Organization. In 2007–2008 Kai was co-director of the Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies of the Chinese Academy of Science. His biotech experience includes co-founding the Biotech-Start-up Jado Technologies and membership in the scientific advisory boards of Biogen and Sanofi.
With Lipotype, 2013 winner of the start-up competition futuresax of the Free State of Saxony and 2015 winner of the cross-cluster competition “Emerging Industries”, Kai Simons is now focusing on translating lipidomics and lipid analysis to clinical and industrial applications.
Our Team: Leading Experts from multiple disciplines
Dr. Oliver Uecke
Head of Business Development and Finance
Dr. Oliver Uecke is Head of Business Development and Finance at Lipotype as legal representative with power of attorney (“Prokura”).
He holds a MBA and did his PhD in the field of technology transfer, entrepreneurship and innovation management in biotechnology. Prior to joining Lipotype he was working in a technology transfer office as manager for biotechnology start-ups. Oliver was also leading an EU interreg 4c project with 10 European partners titled “ETTBio – Effectiveness of technology transfer in biotechnology”. In his role as Head of Business Development and Finance Oliver is responsible for business operations at Lipotype with a primary focus on business development, marketing & sales and finances.
Dr. Christian Klose
Head of Research and Development
Dr. Christian Klose is Head of Research and Development at Lipotype.
After receiving his PhD on membrane biology and biophysics, he did a post-doc on mass spectrometry-based lipidomics with Andrej Shevchenko. As project leader of the EXIST-Forschungstransfer project “Lipotype” he was involved in the buildup of Lipotype from the start. Christian published numerous papers in the field of membrane biology and lipidomics. In his role as Head of R&D Christian enjoys developing novel technology and putting it into action for routine use.
Dr. Michał Surma
Head of Analytical Services
Dr. Michał Surma is Head of Analytical Services at Lipotype.
He comes from Wrocław in Poland and graduated from the International Max Planck Research School for Molecular Cell Biology and Bioengineering, working on his doctorate in MPI-CBG and UCSF. Lipids and lipidomics are Michał’s major speciality, but he is a trained cell biologist as well. His skills also include laboratory, data, inventory and equipment management, instrument maintenance, GLP & QM, and others. In his role as Head of Analytical Services Michal is responsible for analytical operations of the Lipotype Shotgun Lipidomics platform.
Dr. Ronny Herzog
Head of Software Development and IT-Infrastructure
Dr. Ronny Herzog is Head of Software Development and IT-Infrastructure at Lipotype.
He holds a Diploma in Informatics and did his PhD in Bioinformatics on software for lipid identification from mass spectrometers. He published several first author papers before moving to Lipotype. He is trained in a wide variety of programming languages and technologies while working with different companies and the Technische Universität Dresden. At Lipotype he refined his skills in professional software development and enjoys using new and innovative software technologies.
Dr. Mathias Gerl
Head of Bioanalytics and Data Analysis
Dr. Mathias Gerl is Head of Bioanalytics and Data Analysis at Lipotype.
Prior to Lipotype he was doing his PhD on lipidomics and cell biology of polarised cells and viruses in the laboratory of Kai Simons (MPI-CBG, Dresden). In his postdoctoral research with Britta Brügger in Heidelberg he was investigating protein-lipid interactions using click-chemistry and CRISPR knock-outs. Mathias was early on passionate about large multivariate datasets and their graphical representations. This he now combines at Lipotype with his know-how of lipids biochemistry, pathways and membrane biology. In his role as Head of Bioanalytics and Data Analysis Mathias is responsible for statistical inference and predictive modelling.