{"id":53,"date":"2021-01-23T17:31:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T16:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.168.178.20\/wordpress\/?page_id=53"},"modified":"2025-12-20T11:50:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T10:50:04","slug":"people","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/people\/","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cIt seems that all eukaryotic cells either have, or once had (and then lost) mitochondria. In other words, possession of mitochondria is a sine qua non of the eukaryotic condition\u201d <\/p>\n Nick Lane, Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Current lab members<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Marlena Helms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PhD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: For my PhD project, I am looking to generate an interactome for Synj2bp (my protein of interest). Previous research from our lab has identified the Synj2bp kinase (AMPK). So, I would be looking into identifying the corresponding phosphatase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: Immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, live cell imaging, proximity ligation assays, immunocytochemistry staining<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Jana Lindner<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Technician and Lab Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: I’m working as a technician in the Harbauer Lab. My project is to make the lab run smoother. Sometimes trying to make the impossible possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: Phone and mind maps, as well as 5 Step problem solving technique: 1. identify the problem, 2. generate potential solutions, 3. choose one solution, 4. implement the chosen solution, 5. evaluate results<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Hariharan Murali Mahadevan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PhD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: Mounting evidences point towards mitochondria-RNA association of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial transcripts in neurons. I am interested in identifying the factors that determine the targeting of such RNAs to mitochondria and their subsequent local translation and import. Also, I investigate the implications and significance of such mito-RNA associations in mitochondrial and neuronal health and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: bulk RNA-seq and motif analyses, MitoTag-based mitochondria isolation, microscopy, gene-silencing using intravitreal injections, western blot, and in-vitro mitochondrial assays.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Luciano Rom\u00e1n Albasini<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PhD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: I investigate the neuron-type specificity of Pink1 mRNA transport and it\u2019s relevance in neuronal dynamics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: RNA In situ hybridization, live-cell imaging, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, RNAseq, label-free proteomics, Western blot, qPCR. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Alina R\u00fchmkorf<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PhD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: I investigate mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) and the tether proteins that mediate the contact. MERCS are known to be involved in Calcium signaling, lipid homeostasis, and autophagy. I examine if specific tether pair proteins are differently involved in the process of mitophagy and want to characterize the differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: I use the (split-)APEX to investigate protein interactions and surrounding proteome and combine it with Western Blot analyses or immunofluorescence. I also use imaging-based techniques, like the PLA where I investigate protein interactions with fixed cells.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Inmaculada Segura<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Postdoc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: I study how local translation is regulated at mitochondria, including the role of phosphatidyl-inositides on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: Live-time imaging, SunTag technology, mRNA-protein, protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Inga Spannaus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PhD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: I study how the PINK1 precursor is shielded prior to its import into mitochondria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: splitAPEX proteomics, SunTag imaging, ribosomal profiling<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Benjamin Chun-Kit Tong <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

PostDoc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My current project: Most of my previous work investigates autophagy, mitophagy, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease models. In cell models, we investigated how they affect the function of neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. In animal models, we investigate how they affect memory and learning functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools that I use: In vitro- CRISPR, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, FRET microscopy, western blots, immunoprecipitation, ELISA. In vivo- LTP assay, and behavior assays for mice to assay motor and memory function (e.g. CFC \/ NOR \/ Open field).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Alexander Zorn<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

MD candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My project revolves around the regulation of mitochondria-ER contact sites by the Parkinson-related kinase PINK1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tool I use are in vitro<\/em> phosphorylation assays, proximity ligation assays and confocal microscopy. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumni<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Isabel Geelhaar – MD candidate (Dr. med. sci.) – back to her clinical training<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Simone Wanderoy, PhD candidate – now PostDoc at MRC Cambridge (Whitworth lab)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Paatz<\/strong> – Internship student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domenik K\u00f6thnig<\/strong> – Master student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Tabitha Hees, PhD – now PostDoc at VU Amsterdam (Koppers lab<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marie de La Rochefoucauld – Master student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maxime D\u00f6pp – Master Student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viktoria Kubisova – Bachelor Student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrea Schneider – Master student – now PhD student at LMU Munich<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline Wei\u00df – Master student in collab. with Churchman lab (Harvard) – now PhD student at MPI Biochemistry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mariana Martins – Bachelor student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ezgi Senoglu – Master student – now PhD student at TU Dresden<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephanie Weber – Intern<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt seems that all eukaryotic cells either have, or once had (and then lost) mitochondria. In other words, possession of mitochondria is a sine qua non of the eukaryotic condition\u201d Nick Lane, Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life Current lab members Marlena Helms PhD candidate My current project: For my PhD project, I am looking to generate an interactome for Synj2bp (my protein of interest). Previous research from our lab has identified the Synj2bp kinase (AMPK). So, I would be looking into identifying the corresponding phosphatase. The tools that I use: Immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, live cell imaging, proximity ligation assays, immunocytochemistry staining Jana Lindner Technician and Lab Manager My current project: I’m working as a technician in the Harbauer Lab. My project is to make the lab run smoother. Sometimes trying to make the impossible possible. The tools that I use: Phone and mind maps, as well as 5 Step problem solving technique: 1. identify the problem, 2. generate potential solutions, 3. choose one solution, 4. implement the chosen solution, 5. evaluate results Hariharan Murali Mahadevan PhD candidate My current project: Mounting evidences point towards mitochondria-RNA association of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial transcripts in neurons. I am interested in identifying the factors that determine the targeting of such RNAs to mitochondria and their subsequent local translation and import. Also, I investigate the implications and significance of such mito-RNA associations in mitochondrial and neuronal health and maintenance. The tools that I use: bulk RNA-seq and motif analyses, MitoTag-based mitochondria isolation, microscopy, gene-silencing using intravitreal injections, western blot, and in-vitro mitochondrial assays. Luciano Rom\u00e1n Albasini PhD candidate My current project: I investigate the neuron-type specificity of Pink1 mRNA transport and it\u2019s relevance in neuronal dynamics.  The tools that I use: RNA In situ hybridization, live-cell imaging, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, RNAseq, label-free proteomics, Western blot, qPCR.  Alina R\u00fchmkorf PhD candidate My current project: I investigate mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) and the tether proteins that mediate the contact. MERCS are known to be involved in Calcium signaling, lipid homeostasis, and autophagy. I examine if specific tether pair proteins are differently involved in the process of mitophagy and want to characterize the differences. The tools that I use: I use the (split-)APEX to investigate protein interactions and surrounding proteome and combine it with Western Blot analyses or immunofluorescence. I also use imaging-based techniques, like the PLA where I investigate protein interactions with fixed cells. Inmaculada Segura Postdoc My current project: I study how local translation is regulated at mitochondria, including the role of phosphatidyl-inositides on it. The tools that I use: Live-time imaging, SunTag technology, mRNA-protein, protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions Inga Spannaus PhD candidate My current project: I study how the PINK1 precursor is shielded prior to its import into mitochondria. The tools that I use: splitAPEX proteomics, SunTag imaging, ribosomal profiling Benjamin Chun-Kit Tong PostDoc My current project: Most of my previous work investigates autophagy, mitophagy, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease models. In cell models, we investigated how they affect the function of neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. In animal models, we investigate how they affect memory and learning functions. The tools that I use: In vitro- CRISPR, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, FRET microscopy, western blots, immunoprecipitation, ELISA. In vivo- LTP assay, and behavior assays for mice to assay motor and memory function (e.g. CFC \/ NOR \/ Open field). Alexander Zorn MD candidate My project revolves around the regulation of mitochondria-ER contact sites by the Parkinson-related kinase PINK1. The tool I use are in vitro phosphorylation assays, proximity ligation assays and confocal microscopy. Alumni 2026 Isabel Geelhaar – MD candidate (Dr. med. sci.) – back to her clinical training 2025 Simone Wanderoy, PhD candidate – now PostDoc at MRC Cambridge (Whitworth lab) Sarah Paatz – Internship student Domenik K\u00f6thnig – Master student 2024 Tabitha Hees, PhD – now PostDoc at VU Amsterdam (Koppers lab) Marie de La Rochefoucauld – Master student 2023 Maxime D\u00f6pp – Master Student Viktoria Kubisova – Bachelor Student Andrea Schneider – Master student – now PhD student at LMU Munich 2022 Caroline Wei\u00df – Master student in collab. with Churchman lab (Harvard) – now PhD student at MPI Biochemistry Mariana Martins – Bachelor student 2021 Ezgi Senoglu – Master student – now PhD student at TU Dresden 2020 Stephanie Weber – Intern<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-53","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":555,"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53\/revisions\/555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.harbauerlab.de\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}