Agnes Toth-Petroczy Group

Hello! My name is Anna and the main focus of my research is a special group of proteins involved in biomolecular condensates (membrane-less organelles that selectively concentrate biomolecules). Since I started to work as ELBE postdoc (April 2021) I am developing algorithms and applying data science approaches to predict these proteins using broad range of input information, such as sequence- and structure-based features.

Although I studied mathematics and computer science at the university, I quickly become fascinated by bioinformatics observing effective and elegant solutions for biology that can be created with help of computational tools and mathematical apparatus. That is why during my PhD I was developing computational approaches to model protein complexes, in particular deep neural network for structure prediction (in those times when Alphafold didn’t come to spotlight yet :)

When I don’t work, I love to write poems and novels (this skill should have given an advantage in scientific writing, but it surprisingly doesn’t). I also like jazz dancing, and even taught solo-jazz and lindy-hop, because I like teaching in general.

I am Doris, and I am a technician. Since I grew up in Dresden, I am a real local.

I joined the lab in 2021 and assist other lab members in setting up and running wet lab experiments. I love the fascinating and challenging research work with people from all over the world. I am also always inspired by the friendly and communicative environment at CBG and especially in my research group.

I enjoy interacting with people and spending time outdoors, whether it is at the seaside, in the mountains, simply in a forest, or on my daily way to work by bike.

I like swimming very much.

Hi! My name is Jonas, and I am a PhD student in the ATPlab as well as in the lab of Andrej Shevchenko. Originally from the Berlin area, where I studied biotechnology and bioinformatics, I moved here in early 2021 to start my PhD work. I use mass spectrometry and computational methods to find out more about a specific type of protein synthesis error, ribosomal frameshifting. That means I care about proteomics, protein heterogeneity and weird proteins in general. 

Outside the institute, my nerdy hobbies include playing Dungeons & Dragons, reading fantasy and SF, and watching asian martial arts movies. So ask me about Ursula Le Guin, Donnie Yen vs. Iko Uwais and if you can drink a healing potion in six seconds. 
The socially presentable part of me enjoys hiking, especially long distances, and practices karate. And if you are into more basic comforts, feel free to talk to me about vegan cooking, spices of all kind, and really good chocolate!

Hello, my name is Maria Luisa (Sisi), and I am interested in protein evolution from an inclusive and fundamental perspective. 

How did life arise on Earth? How stable were primordial proteins? Were the primordial oceans thermophilic? These questions have stimulated my scientific curiosity during my Ph.D. (University of Granada) and postdoctoral period (Weizmann Institute of Science) and continue to occupy a central place in my research, leading to my current focus: How transcriptional and translational inaccuracy expand the phenotypic space exploration and redefine the boundaries of evolution?

Besides science, I enjoy all versions of outdoor walking, in the city, at the beach, hiking in the mountains, etc. I love discovering new architectural styles or natural landscapes, letting curiosity lead my path. This may be the reason why I am a researcher.

Heya! I’m Willis and am a PhD student from Hong Kong, mainly using computational methods to study intrinsically disordered proteins (IDRs). Specifically, I want to ask if different IDPs could share a common function, and then determine if there are specific characteristics of the sequence that makes it similar. This means I spend most of my time in front of a computer, but I am also running a couple of experiments to test these hypotheses. My background is actually in pharmacology and so I’ve never written a line of code until I started here- but it’s been a fun ride!

Outside of work, I have a not-insigificant collection of shark plushes because they’re so cute- not an opinion, just an objective truth. But unlike them who mainly sit at home, I also enjoy doing sports, specifically basketball and football. On the other hand, the more idle part of me enjoys playing computer/board games, occasionally playing the piano at the CBG, and listening to music. Oh and food, although I wouldn’t really consider myself a foodie because I can be quite a picky eater. But if our food conversation swings towards Cantonese (and Japanese, although I haven’t tried it all) cuisine, it might never end.