Who is ... Prof. Dr. Jan Riemer?

Professor Dr. Jan Riemer is a distinguished biochemist currently holding the position of Full Professor (W3) of Biochemistry at the University of Cologne since 2022. His academic and professional journey is marked by significant contributions to the fields of redox biology, protein folding, and organelle biology.

Jan studied Biochemistry at the Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen from 1997 to 2003, where he earned his diploma under the supervision of Dr. Ralf Dringen. During his studies, he gained international research experience through stays at the University of Michigan (USA) with Prof. James Bardwell and at Monash University (Australia) with Prof. Stephen Robinson and Dr. Ralf Dringen.

He pursued his doctoral studies from 2003 to 2007, initially at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) and subsequently at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), working with Prof. Lars Ellgaard and Prof. Ari Helenius. Following his PhD, he continued as a postdoctoral researcher in Copenhagen before returning to Germany.

From 2008 to 2012, Jan led a research group at the University of Kaiserslautern, where he was appointed Assistant Professor for Cellular Biochemistry (W1) in 2012. In 2015, he joined the University of Cologne as an Associate Professor (W2), and in 2022, he was promoted to his current W3 professorship.

Jan is actively involved in a range of academic leadership and administrative roles. He currently serves as Director of the Department of Chemistry (since 2023), Speaker of the DFG-funded graduate programs RTG2550 (“reloc”) and the “mito-RTG” (integrated in the CRC1218/SFB1218), and Speaker of the Cologne Graduate School for Chemistry (CGSC). Since 2015, he has been a central figure in the CRC/SFB1218, contributing both as a member of its steering committee and as head of its graduate school component.

Jan has also held several important academic positions, including Acting Director of the Institute of Biochemistry, Deputy Director of the Department of Chemistry, and Board Member of the Graduate School for Biological Sciences. He was the Speaker of the study group “Redox Biology” of the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) from 2017 to 2024.

His scientific excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Otto-Meyerhof Prize of the GBM (2017), an EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2010–2012), a PhD fellowship from the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (2004–2006), and scholarships from the German National Academic Foundation.

Through his extensive academic work, international collaborations, and leadership within graduate education and research consortia, Jan has made lasting contributions to advancing the field of biochemistry in Germany and beyond.

Selected Publications

Why these publications matter

• Integrated trajectory: They trace a clear path—from mechanistic enzymology (e.g., Erv1–cytochrome c electron transfer) to pathway coordination (disulfide relay → Complex I), and network-level responses (immune-stress vesicles).
• High-impact venues: Took place in top-tier journals (EMBO J, J Cell Biol, Cell Metabolism, Molecular Cell, Science), reflecting both novelty and rigor.
• Influence and citation: Many articles attracted substantial citations, signaling significant interest by the broader field.
   

1. Salscheider SL et al., “AIFM1 is a component of the mitochondrial disulfide relay that drives complex I assembly through efficient import of NDUFS5.” EMBO Journal (2022)

• Unveils how AIFM1 and MIA40 cooperate to import and stabilize NDUFS5, a critical subunit of mitochondrial Complex I, via the intermembrane-space disulfide relay.
• Highlights a dual role of AIFM1 in MIA40 import and substrate oxidation, linking redox regulation to respiratory chain assembly.
• High citation count and central to Riemer’s research agenda.

2. Peker E et al., “A two‑step mitochondrial import pathway couples the disulfide relay with matrix Complex I biogenesis.” Journal of Cell Biology (2023)

• Demonstrated a sequential import mechanism linking disulfide relay and matrix Complex I formation, clarifying coordination between redox folding and respiratory chain assembly.
• Reflects direct continuation of the AIFM1–MIA40 pathway research. 

3. Li X et al., “Mitochondria shed their outer membrane in response to infection‑induced stress.” Science (2022)

• A major collaboration including Riemer, showing that mitochondria can release outer membrane-derived vesicles upon infection—a novel mechanism of host defense.
• Broadens his research portfolio into mitochondrial stress responses. 

4. Hoehne et al, “Spatial and temporal control of mitochondrial H2 O2 release in intact human cells“ EMBO Journal (2022)

• Describes the mechanistic basis of redox signaling from mitochondria and its impacting factors
• High citation count and central to Riemer’s research agenda.

5. Peker E et al., “Erv1 and Cytochrome c mediate rapid electron transfer via a collision‑type interaction.” Journal of Molecular Biology (2021)

• Describes the mechanistic basis of electron transfer between Erv1 and cytochrome c, advancing our understanding of oxidative folding enzyme function within mitochondria.
• Adds mechanistic depth to his redox biochemistry profile