The physician relies on supercomputers and artificial intelligence for his research into the brain.
Happy return to the MHH: Professor Jan-Philipp Machtens. Copyright: Tina Götting / MHH
The Institute of Neurophysiology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) has a new director: Professor Dr. Jan-Philipp Machtens has been in charge since September 1. The 37-year-old succeeds Prof. Dr. Christian Wahl-Schott, who held the position until 2022. In the meantime, the institute was provisionally headed by Professor Dr. Theresia Kraft.
Innovative methods
Neurophysiology is the study of how the brain and nervous system function. "We want to get to the bottom of the processes at the molecular level in order to identify the causes of diseases and enable the targeted development of new drugs and individualized therapies," explains Professor Machtens. To achieve this goal, he relies on innovative technologies: By combining molecular simulation methods on the largest supercomputers in Europe and artificial intelligence (AI) with electrophysiological experiments, new insights into the functions and malfunctions of nerve cells are to be gained. In doing so, the scientist thinks beyond his field: "Our molecular simulation methods are generally applicable and can also be used in other areas of medicine."
Cooperation with Clinical Departments
Professor Machtens has several research priorities. One of these is neurotransmitter transporters and ion channels – these are proteins that play an important role in communication between nerve cells. He is also interested in the molecular mechanisms of hearing and pain transmission. Another focus is on functional disorders of the kidney and gastrointestinal tract. In his research, Professor Machtens will work closely with various clinical departments. "I am very much looking forward to this collaboration," says the neurophysiologist.
From Forschungszentrum Jülich to the MHH
The MHH is not new to Professor Machtens: he studied medicine there and completed his doctorate at the Institute of Neurophysiology in 2014. After that, his path led him from the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen to Forschungszentrum Jülich. There he headed the scientific working group "Computational Neurophysiology" from 2016. At the same time, he received a junior professorship at the Institute for Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen in 2019. From the imperial city, he went to Hannover. "I am very happy to be returning to the MHH as a university professor of neurophysiology," explains Professor Machtens.
Text: Tina Götting