People
Principal Investigator
Barbara Treutlein studied chemistry at the Universities of Tübingen and Mainz and at UC Berkeley in 2001-2007. From 2007-2012, she performed her doctoral research in single-molecule biophysics with Jens Michaelis at LMU Munich, Germany. During her Postdoc with Stephen Quake at Stanford University from 2012-2014, she pioneered the use of microfluidic-based single-cell transcriptomics to dissect the cellular composition of complex tissues, and to elucidate differentiation pathways during lung development and cell reprogramming. 2015-2018, she was a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig and held a tenure-track assistant professorship at TU Munich. Since 2019, Barbara is Professor for Quantitative Developmental Biology at the ETH Zürich D-BSSE, Switzerland. Her group uses and develops single-cell genomics approaches in combination with stem cell based 2- and 3-dimensional culture systems to study human organogenesis. For her work, Barbara has received multiple awards including the Friedmund Neumann Prize of the Schering Foundation and the Dr. Susan Lim Award for Outstanding Young Investigator of the International Society of Stem Cell Research.
Senior Scientist/Established Researcher
I received my undergraduate degree in Bioinformatics in Zhejiang University, China, and Ph.D in Philipp Khaitovich’s lab in CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology in Shanghai, studying molecular evolution of primate brains. After joining the Treutlein lab in 2018, my research focuses on understanding cell fate specification and maturation during human brain development, by incorporating single-cell genomics, computational modeling and various model systems particularly human brain organoids. I am also a lecturer of "Systems Genomics" and "Single Cell Technologies", the contact person of SCOUT Clinics in D-BSSE for single-cell and spatial genomic data analysis, and the data manager in the lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading and staying with family, and I am a passionate video game player.
Lab Manager/Technician
I am the lab manager responsible for organizing and maintaining our cell culture facilities. As the first point of contact for new and current cell culture members, I ensure smooth operations and provide guidance when needed. I work with induced pluripotent stem cells from primate species and generate brain organoids from different regions using various protocols. I also specialize in RNA workflows and library preparations, and I enjoy contributing to different projects across the lab. Outside of work, I like bouldering and exploring science fiction worlds.
I received my Ph. D. from Ochanomizu Univ. in Tokyo, Japan. After my postdoc period in Walter Gehring lab at Biozentrum University of Basel, I joined D-BSSE ETH Zurich as a technical assistant and lab manager. I am now at the Treutlein lab, where I provide technical support and manage lab operations. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, crafts, hiking and various sports.
Postdocs
I received my undergraduate degree in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and completed my Masters in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley. Prior to my PhD I was a research assistant at the Wyss Institute in Boston working on organ-on-chips. In the Treutlein lab, I'm applying my engineering background to building complex organoid models, using microfluidics and cell fate engineering. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing tennis, cooking, and drinking good wine.
I received my undergraduate degree in Bioscience Engineering and my Ph.D. in Molecular Neuroscience in the Stein Aerts lab at the VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research and KU Leuven in Belgium. I am eager to decipher the regulatory code of the genome to understand the diversity, evolution, and origins of human cell types. Beyond the lab, I can be found running, playing tennis or padel, or diving since recently getting my PADI certification. I am also constantly on the hunt for new additions to my ever-expanding homegrown jungle.
I studied Physics and Applied Maths at the Universities of Freiburg, Imperial College London and Oxford and I completed my PhD in Computational Biology at Helmholtz Munich in the lab of Fabian Theis. In the Treutlein lab, I’m developing computational models to further our understanding of early human brain development using single-cell and spatial genomics data. Outside of the lab, I like cross-country skiing, windsurfing, sailing, and quite a few other sports, and I enjoy cooking and spending time with friends & family.
I studied biomedical engineering and obtained my Bachelor and Master of Engineering degrees at Korea University, where I worked on BioMEMS applications for biomedical research, including brain-on-a-chip, in the Intelligent BioMEMS Lab led by the late Professor Sang-Hoon Lee. I then completed my PhD in Biotechnology and Bioengineering at EPFL in the Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering led by Professor Matthias Lutolf, focusing on developing neural tube organoids and microfluidic devices for morphogen gradient formation. At the QuaDBio Lab, I am working on microfluidic device-based morphogen-driven spatial patterning studies on human brain organoids. I love interdisciplinary projects that contribute to innovative solutions in the organoid field. Outside the lab, I enjoy art, music, sports, and cultural exploration.
I received my undergraduate degree and a dual Master from the University of Pisa and the Scuola Normale Superiore. I completed my Ph.D. in Malin Parmar’s lab at Lund University, investigating human midbrain dopaminergic neuron development using 3D organoids, in vivo transplantation, and single-cell RNA sequencing. At the QuaDBio lab, I am interested in uncovering the extrinsic mechanisms that shape human brain development and connectivity, with the ultimate goal of advancing cell replacement therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Huntington’s disease. Outside the lab, I enjoy drawing, painting, and preparing homemade pasta.
I studied physics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich with a focus on single-molecule biophysics. During my PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry at the Lab of Ralf Jungmann, I developed highly multiplexed DNA-PAINT super-resolution technologies and revealed the synaptic composition of mouse neurons at individual protein level. In the Treutlein lab I aim to transfer these technologies study human iPSC and brain organoids. By enhancing throughput and 3D imaging capacity, brain organoid regions could be characterized from their large-scale cellular arrangement and connectivity on mm scale down to individual cell morphology and protein arrangements on nm level. Outside of the lab I am a dedicated boulderer and road cyclist and generally enjoying time in nature and with family and friends.
I’m originally from Budapest, Hungary, and completed my BSc in Molecular Biotechnology at the Technical University of Munich. During my MSc and PhD, I studied RNA modifications in the Schwartz lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Driven by my long-standing fascination with dolphins and whales, I joined the Treutlein lab as a postdoctoral fellow, where I investigate skin evolution and wound healing in marine mammals using single-cell and organoid technologies. In my free time, I enjoy traveling the world, hiking, and reading (as well as occasionally writing) fantasy and science fiction.
Guest Scientist
I studied chemistry at the University of Vienna. After graduating I decided I was more interested in ‘living things’ and pursued a research internship with Bon-Kyoung Koo at IMBA Vienna where I studied stem cell quiescence in the stomach epithelium. In Barbara’s lab I am developing an imaging tool that allows the live tracking of single mRNAs in complex tissues such as neural organoids, which allows me to investigate the role of mRNA localisation and transport in neurodevelopment. Other than tending to my cells, I am a music nerd and love to go dancing and to concerts.
PhD Students
I received my Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Heidelberg and completed my Master's in Biotechnology at ETH Zurich. After an exchange year at Harvard, I returned to ETH Zurich to pursue a PhD. I am interested in the capacity of multicellular systems to self-organize and the diversity of species that results therefrom. During my PhD in the Treutlein lab, I am employing computational approaches to describe mechanisms involved in forming new neurons during development, homeostasis and regeneration of the axolotl brain. Beyond science, I enjoy sports, music, art, and meeting people from different cultures.
I received my Master’s degree in Bioengineering and Bioinformatics from Lomonosov Moscow State University. At the QuadBio lab, I’m excited to push forward how high-throughput human organoid screens can be designed and used to uncover the principles of tissue patterning and signal transduction. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing touch rugby and padel, and I’m currently learning German.
I received my B.Sc. in Biosciences from University of Heidelberg – Ruperto Carola studying RNA-directed DNA methylation in plants. I went on to complete my M.Sc. in Biotechnology at ETH Zurich studying DNA methylation during brain organoid development. As a PhD student in the Treutlein Lab, I am interested in programming neuronal cell fates from pluripotency using transcription factor co-expression strategies. In my free time I enjoy spending time in nature and sports.
I completed my Master's in Systems Biology at ETH Zürich in 2021, specializing in machine learning and computational biology. At the Treutlein lab, I develop computer vision models and analyses for large-scale imaging data, studying how proteins and cell morphology change during early human brain development. I'm particularly interested in how tissue architecture and morphology are coupled to molecular information. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, mushroom foraging, and diving.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from University Zürich and my master’s degree in Biotechnology from ETH Zürich, in Basel. At the QuaDBio lab, I investigate how microglia influence brain development and disease using live imaging, and spatial techniques, with an emphasis on leveraging in-vitro organoid systems that capture human tissue complexity. Outside the lab, I’m usually found bouldering, hiking, skiing, or getting lost in a board game or pen-and-paper adventure with friends over a glass of good wine.
I'm currently pursuing my PhD, focusing on brain regeneration in axolotls. After studying molecular biotechnology at Heidelberg, I wanted to understand why some species can regenerate far better than humans and what those differences look like at the transcriptomic level. Right now, I'm investigating how regenerative capacity varies across different brain regions in axolotls and identifying the genes involved in this process. To functionally test these targets, I'm working to establish 3D models of the axolotl brain. Outside the lab, I enjoy baking and bouldering, and spending time with family and friends.
I received my undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in Genetics, at the University of Cambridge, in the UK. Afterwards I received my master’s degree in Molecular Biosciences, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, at Heidelberg University, in Germany. In the Treutlein lab, I am eager to use single cell genomics technologies to advance our understanding of regenerative processes that occur in various animals. Outside the lab, I am an avid hiker.
I received my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology with a focus on computational- and microbiology from the Biozentrum at the University of Basel. At the Treutlein lab, I’m developing spatial CRISPR screens and applying them to further our understanding of how the extracellular matrix is shaping early brain development and how this influences developmental disorders. Outside the lab, [among other things] I enjoy travelling (usually in Europe by train but sometimes to Japan), bouldering, reading, and hiking.
Master Students
Constantin Goeldel
Michelle Haberstich
I started my journey in research through an apprenticeship as a laboratory technician at Roche AG. After my apprenticeship, I decided to pursue higher education and earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology at ETH Zurich. Currently, I am completing a Master's degree in Biology at ETH Zurich with a major in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, which reflects my scientific interests very well. For my Master's thesis in the QuadBio Lab, I am investigating the role of ECM genes in early brain patterning in human brain organoids at the whole-tissue scale. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time outdoors, for example as a scout leader, rock climbing, and skiing.
Leslie Yingyue Liang
I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Biotechnology at ETH. I received my bachelor’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, focusing on truncated Cas9 and inducible Cas9 under the CN Yang Scholar’s Programme. At QuaDBio lab, I am eager to explore tissue modelling and transcription-factor-driven reprogramming, with a focus on cell types of the blood-brain barrier. Apart from research, I enjoy reading, writing, playing the piano, drawing and crocheting. “Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth, Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth of noble natures.”
Christoph Luh
After I finished my bachelor’s in molecular biotechnology at Heidelberg University in Germany, I came to the D-BSSE to study the M. Sc. Biotechnology. While my bachelor’s thesis research was about studying pre-cancerous lesions in patient samples of colorectal cancer patients, at the QuaDBio lab I will focus on optimizing metabolic RNA labeling protocols for brain organoids and will later assess the immediate transcriptomic reaction of brain organoids on signal modulators. Outside of University I enjoy cooking, baking and exploring the Alps.
Marta Luterek
I have a background in biotechnology and I am now focusing on computational approaches to biology. I completed by Bachelor studies at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, and I am now doing my Master’s in Biotechnology at the D-BSSE. At the QuadBio lab, I will be delving into enhancer modeling using sequence-to-function deep learning models, and applying them to study developing human brains and brain organoids. Outside science, I love climbing and bouldering, baking and musical theatre.
Ahmed Moselhi
I’m a MSc student at the D-BSSE. I completed my undergrad in immunology and neuroscience at the University of Toronto, Canada. For my thesis, I’m using optical pooled screening on single-lumen brain organoids to study how tissue form is established during neurodevelopment. More broadly, I’m interested in the molecular mechanisms behind reproducible morphology and function during development, and how we can measure this in space and time. Outside the lab, I love experimenting in the kitchen, bouldering, cycling, and listening to very groovy indie rock.
Sophie Pecher
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering from Purdue University. Upon completion of my undergraduate studies, I worked as an Engineer at Ginkgo Bioworks Inc., contributing to both the fermentation and mammalian process engineering teams. I then pivoted to the business side of science, working as a Commercial Operations Senior Associate at Ansa Biotechnologies. After three years in industry, I relocated to Switzerland to pursue higher education. I am currently completing my MSc in Molecular Biology at the University of Basel and am excited to be completing my thesis with the Treutlein Group. I am particularly interested in the intersection of computation and biology; my project focuses on building an integrated transcriptomic atlas of the mouse SVZ.
Scientific Assistant
I have a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and another Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences. After having worked in proprioception research in rodents and sleep modulation in patients with major depression, I joined the lab to learn about cell culture, calcium imaging and computational analysis. I currently work on skin organoids and the analysis of differences in functional maturation in various types of iNeurons. In my free time I enjoy all types of sports, the outdoors, reading, and painting.