5th June 2025

Science in 120 seconds

In this short interview, Prof. Dr. Dominik Niopek, winner of the Bridge Award 2020, gives us an insight into his impressive career and the significant progress he has made since receiving the award.

What were you researching at the time? On molecular tools for the precise modification of genomes in human cells by combining CRISPR effectors and light-controllable proteins. An important prerequisite for receiving the scholarship is also social commitment. What are you involved in? The award enabled me to conduct an exploratory research phase into new areas of protein engineering. Building on this, I was able to apply for an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council and expand my group. What do you do today? I am a professor at the University of Heidelberg. We design allosteric proteins by combining directed evolution with machine learning – for applications in research and medicine. Milestones since the award ceremony: iGEM team Heidelberg: Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Niopek and Prof. Dr. Wölfl, the student team won the iGEM competition, an international competition for students of synthetic biology. Cluster application “SynthImmune”: As “Core Principal Investigator” (lead researcher), Niopek is working on this cluster project to develop innovative immunotherapy approaches. “DaVinci-Switches” (ERC Starting Grant): This project, which emerged from funding from the Aventis Foundation, is Niopek’s central field of research. The aim is to develop protein switches that control cellular processes with drugs or light. “CompuGene Student Lab”: Niopek initiated a teaching format in which students at TU Darmstadt carry out independent research projects in synthetic biology.