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Prof. Dr. Marie-Christine Simon has recently taken on the leadership of the new research group "Computational Microbiome & Brain Health" within the Bioinformatics Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI. This step further strengthens the institute's collaboration with the University of Bonn.
SANKT AUGUSTIN – Since January, Prof. Dr. Marie-Christine Simon has been the new group leader for "Computational Microbiome & Brain Health" in the Bioinformatics Department at Fraunhofer SCAI. Prof. Simon will assume this new position in addition to her position as Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn. This dual role strengthens the linkage between academic and applied research in computational life sciences, fostering knowledge transfer between these two domains.
Professor Simon specializes in the fields of nutrition, microbiota, and metabolism. Following career stations at the German Diabetes Center and the University of Gothenburg, she has been leading a junior research group since 2019 within the Diet-Body-Brain competence cluster at the University of Bonn. Her research focuses on the connection between the gut and the brain – the so-called "Gut-Brain Axis" – and on the role of microbiota in human health. She aims to apply this expertise to the algorithmic-driven environment of bioinformatics at Fraunhofer SCAI, working towards developing new approaches in the areas of "Healthy Aging," "Longevity," and "Brain Health."
With Professor Simon's recruitment, the group leadership positions in the Bioinformatics Department are now balanced, comprising two women and two men. This aligns with the Fraunhofer Society's commitment to increasing the representation of women in leadership positions.
New perspectives for Bioinformatics
Fraunhofer SCAI's Bioinformatics Department is dedicated to bridging the gap between biological data generation and computational analysis. "The division between 'wet lab' and 'in silico' is becoming increasingly obsolete. Today, all biology can be considered computational biology," explains Prof. Dr. Martin Hofmann-Apitius, Head of the Bioinformatics Department at Fraunhofer SCAI and a colleague of Professor Simon at the University of Bonn. "With Professor Simon joining our team, we are gaining a scientist who integrates academic insights with practical experience in intervention studies and data generation. Her work will guide our strategic direction toward innovative brain health and longevity solutions."
Professor Simon highlights the significance of collaboration between Fraunhofer SCAI and the University of Bonn, expressing her commitment to promoting new projects at the intersection of biological research and bioinformatics. "Research topics like the Gut-Brain Axis and Brain Health hold enormous potential for both science and industry," she states.
Furthermore, the new group leader will strengthen Fraunhofer SCAI's international collaborations, particularly with the Institute for Healthier Living (IHLAD) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. These efforts will focus on microbiota, nutrition, and health interactions.
Prof. Dr. Martin Hofmann-Apitius
Head of Business Area Bioinformatics
Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI
Schloss Birlinghoven 1, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Phone +49 2241 14-4103
Email: martin.hofmann-apitius@scai.fraunhofer.de
www.scai.fraunhofer.de/en/bio
https://www.scai.fraunhofer.de/en/press-releases/news-27-01-2025.html
New group leader "Computational Microbiome & Brain Health": Prof. Dr. Marie-Christine Simon
© Fraunhofer SCAI
Leadership team of the Bioinformatics Department: Prof. Dr. Holger Fröhlich, Dr. Alpha Tom Kodamulli ...
© Fraunhofer SCAI
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