Welcome to the
Biochemical Institute
at Kiel University
News
January 2026: New paper released
New paper in collaboration with the UKE and Cathy Meyer-Schwesinger with involvement of group members of the Saftig Lab released (Cell 2026, January 8th) containing a newly described autoantibody-mediated podocyte membrane budding process and its involvement in autoimmune kidney disease.
Directors of the Biochemical Institute
The three directors of the Biochemical Institute head their respective departments of Degradomics, Tumor Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology.
Prof. Dr. Christoph Becker-Pauly
Christoph Becker-Pauly is spokesperson of the DFG-funded Research Training Group ReMPro and has published over 100 research papers on the structure and function of proteolytic enzymes. Proteases are considered central nodes in the regulation of the immune system, in neurodegeneration, and in cancer.His group is particularly interested in the characterization of metalloproteases (e.g. meprins, ADAM10/17, MMPs) using N-terminomics and pharmacological approaches.
Prof. Dr. Elmar Wolf
Elmar Wolf is a tumor biologist whose research focuses on oncogenic transcription factors and strategies to therapeutically target them. In collaboration with medicinal chemistry partners, he pursues the approach of directing tumorigenic proteins toward proteasomal degradation using PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras). These small molecules are not only powerful cell biological tools but also represent an entirely novel and unique therapeutic strategy.
Prof. Dr. Paul Saftig
Prof. Saftig’s work bridges fundamental cell biology (lysosomal trafficking, proteolysis, autophagy) with translational insights in neurodegeneration, lysosomal storage disorders, infectious disease, and cancer. His multidisciplinary contributions — spanning structural biology to in vivo therapies — have significantly advanced our understanding of lysosomal (dys)function and protease networks.
Joint projects & Supporters
Graduiertenkolleg zur Erforschung der Regulation von Membranproteinen
(GRK-ReMPro)
Exzellenzcluster Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation
(PMI)
Targeting transcriptional AddiCTion In Cancer (TACTIC)
Functionalizing the Ubiqitin System against Cancer
(CRC/Transregio 387)
European Research Council
Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP)
Studying at the Biochemical Institute
The Biochemical Institute is centrally located on the campus of Kiel University. The green courtyard between our two buildings is ideal for studying outdoors in good weather. Our lecture hall can accommodate approximately 250 students, and our seminar rooms and practical training rooms provide an ideal setting for in-depth study. We offer courses that lead to degrees in medicine and/or natural science. If you wanna learn more ...