Dirk Heinz Officially Appointed

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig has a new scientific director: On 1 August 2011, structural biologist Prof. Dr Dirk Heinz succeeded Prof. Dr Jürgen Wehland, who passed away a year ago whilst still in office. Heinz already held the post of Scientific Director of the HZI in an acting capacity since September 2010. He studied chemistry and biochemistry in Freiburg before specialising in structural biology in the context of his dissertation at the University of Basel. After a research period in the USA, Heinz first returned to Freiburg. In 1998, he moved to the former GBF in Braunschweig, which later became the HZI. Since 2003, Heinz has been responsible for structural biology research at the centre as Head of Division and Head of Department. Dirk Heinz is a member of numerous scientific committees, including the Akademie der Wissenschaften Hamburg (Academy of Sciences Hamburg) and the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). In addition, he holds posts in various scientific specialist associations. For the future, Heinz intends in particular to further develop cooperation activities with academic partners and the industry to increase the connection between basic research and clinical application.

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