Jochen Rink, Research Group Leader
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) announced the selection of 23 young researchers as EMBO Young Investigators. One researcher group leader from the MPI-CBG – Jochen Rink – was selected to be a part of this lively research network and joins 365 current and past Young Investigators. The Young Investigator Program is designed for researchers under forty years of age who have established their first laboratories in the past four years.
The Rink Lab studies planarian flatworms. The robust and rapid regeneration of entire animals from tiny tissue pieces in these animals provides a prime regeneration model system. Rink, who has assembled a live collection of currently more than 70 planarian species that covers the full spectrum of regenerative abilities, together with his team will study the molecular orchestration of regeneration in the well-regenerating model species S. mediterranea and use comparative transcriptomics and genomics to identify causes of regeneration defects in poorly regenerating species and potential evolutionary mechanisms for their selection.
Becoming an EMBO Young Investigator is an acknowledgement for past achievements, but also provides substantial support for future research projects: For instance, Jochen Rink will receive financial support, access to core facilities at EMBL, and funding for himself and group members to attend conferences.