Who are ...
Prof. Dr. Roman-Ulrich Müller
About
Prof. Dr. Roman‑Ulrich Müller is a physician-scientist specializing in nephrology and molecular medicine. Since June 2019, he has held the W2 Professorship in Translational Nephrology at the University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne. His work bridges clinical nephrology with cutting-edge research in RNA biology, kidney aging, and organ protection.
Academic and Clinical Background
Prof. Müller studied Medicine at the Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg (2000–2007), earning his doctorate (Dr. med., summa cum laude) in 2007. He completed research fellowships at The Rockefeller University in New York and Yale University, deepening his expertise in RNA regulation and molecular cell biology.
From 2008 to 2014, he trained in Internal Medicine and Nephrology at University Hospital Cologne. He achieved board certification in both disciplines and received his habilitation in Internal Medicine in 2015. He is now the speaker of the Center for Rare and Hereditary Kidney Disease and leads the ADPKD unit at the University Hospital Cologne.
Research Focus
At the heart of Prof. Müller’s research is the study of how RNA-based mechanisms and cellular stress responses shape genetic kidney disease, renal aging, injury, and regeneration. His lab explores:
- RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNAs
- Nutrient-sensing and metabolic pathways (e.g. NAD⁺, hypoxia signaling)
- Stress resistance, longevity, and regeneration in renal tissue
- Translational studies on ADPKD, AKI, and chronic kidney disease
His team uses modern molecular biology tools including RNA-seq, CRISPR/Cas9, and model organisms such as C. elegans and mice. Integration with clinical data supports the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Academic Leadership
Prof. Müller leads a research group at the CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research and an associated group at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC). He also coordinates the Cologne ADPKD center and mentors PhD students through the Graduate School for Ageing Research. He currently chairs the “Genes & Kidney” working group of the European Renal Association, and sits on multiple editorial and scientific advisory boards.
Awards & Recognition
- Carl-Ludwig Award – German Society of Nephrology (2020)
- DFG and ANR Review Panel Member
- Scientific Advisory Boards: Transfer Board UoC, Foundations
Selected Topics of Interest
- Caloric restriction and NAD⁺ metabolism in kidney disease
- DKK3 as a predictive biomarker in nephrology
- Targeted therapies for ADPKD
- Aging and regeneration in the nephron
Key Publications
- Ripa R, Ballhysa E, Steiner JD, Laboy R, Annibal A, Hochhard N, Latza C, Dolfi L, Calabrese C, Meyer AM, Polidori MC, Müller RU, Antebi A. Refeeding-associated AMPKγ1 complex activity is a hallmark of health and longevity. Nat Aging. 2023 Dec;3(12):1544-1560. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00521-y. Epub 2023 Nov 13. PMID: 37957359; PMCID: PMC10724066.
- Cukoski S, Lindemann CH, Arjune S, Todorova P, Brecht T, Kühn A, Oehm S, Strubl S, Becker I, Kämmerer U, Torres JA, Meyer F, Schömig T, Hokamp NG, Siedek F, Gottschalk I, Benzing T, Schmidt J, Antczak P, Weimbs T, Grundmann F, Müller RU. Feasibility and impact of ketogenic dietary interventions in polycystic kidney disease: KETO-ADPKD-a randomized controlled trial. Cell Rep Med. 2023 Nov 21;4(11):101283. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101283. Epub 2023 Nov 7. PMID: 37935200; PMCID: PMC10694658.
- Späth MR, Hoyer-Allo KJR, Seufert L, Höhne M, Lucas C, Bock T, Isermann L, Brodesser S, Lackmann JW, Kiefer K, Koehler FC, Bohl K, Ignarski M, Schiller P, Johnsen M, Kubacki T, Grundmann F, Benzing T, Trifunovic A, Krüger M, Schermer B, Burst V, Müller RU. Organ Protection by Caloric Restriction Depends on Activation of the De Novo NAD+ Synthesis Pathway. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023 May 1;34(5):772-792. doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000000000087. Epub 2023 Feb 9. PMID: 36758124; PMCID: PMC10125653.
- Seufert L, Benzing T, Ignarski M, Müller RU. RNA-binding proteins and their role in kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2022 Mar;18(3):153-170. doi: 10.1038/s41581-021-00497-1. Epub 2021 Nov 3. PMID: 34732838.
- Müller RU, Fabretti F, Zank S, Burst V, Benzing T, Schermer B. The von Hippel Lindau tumor suppressor limits longevity. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Dec;20(12):2513-7. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2009050497. Epub 2009 Sep 24. PMID: 19797165; PMCID: PMC2794223.
Dr. Philipp Antczak
About
Dr. Philipp Antczak is a leading computational biologist based in Cologne, Germany, where he heads the Computational Biology of Ageing group at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), part of the University of Cologne. His interdisciplinary work bridges computational science, molecular biology, and clinical medicine, with a strong emphasis on aging, disease progression, and integrative biomarker discovery.
Academic Background and Career
Dr. Antczak began his academic journey in the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics from the University of Birmingham in 2007. He went on to complete his Ph.D. at the same institution in 2011, focusing on systems biology and toxicology. His early academic career included postdoctoral research fellowships at the University of Birmingham and later at the University of Liverpool, where he also held the position of Research Associate and Computational Biology Facility Manager. During his time in Liverpool, Dr. Antczak was awarded a prestigious NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) fellowship, allowing him to develop EPIC-map, a novel computational framework for environmental pollutant impact prediction.
Returning to Germany, Dr. Antczak took on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Medlink, a digital health startup focused on integrating patient and clinical data to improve outcomes in hospital settings. His blend of entrepreneurial vision and scientific rigor has uniquely positioned him at the intersection of research innovation and digital healthcare infrastructure.
At the University Hospital Cologne, Dr. Antczak now leads research projects that explore how stress, environmental exposure, and disease interact with biological aging processes. His group integrates multi-omics data - including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics - to uncover molecular signatures that influence health span and disease trajectories. A key focus of his work is the development of predictive and statistical models to understand systemic changes associated with aging and chronic disease.
Research Focus
- Systems biology of ageing and disease
- Multi-omics integration (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics)
- Statistical and machine learning models for biomarker discovery
- Network biology and toxicological response modeling
One of his most notable recent achievements was co-leading a study that identified 29 blood proteins capable of predicting the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, represents a major advancement in personalized medicine, offering clinicians a minimally invasive tool for estimating disease trajectories using routine blood samples. The findings are now paving the way for improved patient stratification and individualized therapeutic planning.
Collaborations & Mentorship
In addition to his scientific research, Dr. Antczak is a member of the CMMC's Career Advancement Program (CAP), where he mentors young researchers and contributes to collaborative projects in cardiovascular and renal biology. His work frequently intersects with leading research institutions across Europe, including CECAD Cologne and the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), reflecting a broad network of scientific partnerships.
Publications
Dr. Antczak has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has accumulated over 2,600 academic citations, with an h-index of 27 - a testament to the influence and reach of his scientific contributions. His lab’s work continues to shape the evolving field of systems biology, particularly as it applies to understanding the complex biology of aging in both environmental and clinical contexts.
Philipp Antczak - Google Scholar
Through his leadership, innovation, and collaborative research, Dr. Philipp Antczak remains a central figure in Cologne’s biomedical research ecosystem, driving forward data-intensive science with tangible clinical impact.
Video
The University of Cologne has produced a video in which Professor Dr. Roman-Ulrich Müller and Dr. Philipp Antczak provide valuable insight into their research on the study “Developing serum proteomics based prediction models of disease progression in ADPKD”in Nature Communications: