Prof. Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch | RWTH Aachen University | Germany
Prof. Dr. Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch is a distinguished neuroepigeneticist at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. With over two decades of academic and research excellence, she has significantly contributed to understanding how epigenetic mechanisms influence brain development and disorders. Her research spans neuronal migration, cortical circuit formation, and neurodevelopmental diseases. She earned her PhD under Prof. Jürgen Bolz in Jena, followed by impactful postdoctoral stints, including one with Prof. Roberto Lent in Rio de Janeiro. As an editor for high-impact journals and collaborator on international projects, she remains a key voice in neuroepigenetics. Prof. Zimmer-Bensch’s research not only advances fundamental neuroscience but also provides translational insights into conditions such as schizophrenia and neurodegeneration. Through interdisciplinary approaches and global collaborations, she exemplifies academic leadership and innovation in modern neuroscience.
Publication Profiles:
Education:
Prof. Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch began her academic journey with a diploma in Biology from the University of Jena. She pursued her PhD in Neurobiology at the same institution under the mentorship of Prof. Jürgen Bolz. Her doctoral research focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms guiding interneuron development. She then expanded her training with postdoctoral research in neurodevelopment at the University of Jena and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro under Prof. Roberto Lent, exploring neural migration and guidance cues in developing brain structures. This robust educational background laid the foundation for her expertise in epigenetics and neurodevelopment. Her interdisciplinary education across molecular biology, neuroanatomy, and epigenetics equips her to address complex neuroscientific questions at the intersection of genomics and brain function, contributing to groundbreaking insights into brain evolution, neural plasticity, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Experience:
Prof. Dr. Zimmer-Bensch has held a professorship in Neuroepigenetics at RWTH Aachen University. Prior to this, she led a research group at the Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Jena, where she conducted seminal research on epigenetic mechanisms in neuronal development. Her postdoctoral experience includes prestigious positions in Jena and Brazil, where she worked with leading scientists on neural migration and brain structure formation. She is currently involved in several interdisciplinary collaborations across Europe and Asia, including research on brain-gut interactions, electrophysiology, microscopy, and computational modeling. As Editor-in-Chief of Neurogenetics and topic editor for multiple high-impact journals, she actively shapes scientific discourse in her field. Her mentoring, leadership, and ability to integrate cross-disciplinary methodologies make her a standout scientist in neuroepigenetics. Her work bridges basic and translational neuroscience, with applications in understanding developmental disorders, psychiatric conditions, and age-related cognitive decline.
Research Focus:
Prof. Zimmer-Bensch’s research centers on the epigenetic regulation of brain development and function, particularly focusing on cortical interneuron migration, neuronal integration, and circuit maturation. She investigates how DNA methylation and histone modifications orchestrate the formation and plasticity of cortical networks, with a special focus on DNMT1’s non-canonical roles. Her studies reveal how disruptions in epigenetic control mechanisms may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric conditions, and neurodegeneration. Recent projects explore the brain-gut axis in anxiety, sex-specific epigenetic vulnerabilities, and computational models of synaptic regulation. Utilizing cutting-edge tools like microfluidics, microscopy, molecular simulations, and electrophysiology, her work is highly interdisciplinary. Through collaborations with institutions across Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, and India, her lab contributes to both mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic pathways for brain diseases. Her future research aims to integrate multi-omics approaches to uncover novel targets for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative therapies.
Publications Top Notes:
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A hereditary spastic paraplegia mouse model supports a role of ZFYVE26/SPASTIZIN for the endolysosomal system – PLoS Genetics
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Emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs as drivers of brain evolution – Cells
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Ephrin‐A5 acts as a repulsive cue for migrating cortical interneurons – European Journal of Neuroscience
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A spastic paraplegia mouse model reveals REEP1-dependent ER shaping – The Journal of Clinical Investigation
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The epigenome in neurodevelopmental disorders – Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Bidirectional ephrinB3/EphA4 signaling mediates interneuron segregation in the migratory stream – Journal of Neuroscience
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Chondroitin sulfate and semaphorin 3A guide tangential interneuron migration – Cerebral Cortex
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Ephrins guide migrating cortical interneurons in the basal telencephalon – Cell Adhesion & Migration
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EphA/ephrin A reverse signaling promotes migration of cortical interneurons – Development
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Multiple effects of ephrin-A5 on cortical neurons mediated by SRC kinases – Journal of Neuroscience
Conclusion:
Prof. Dr. Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch is an exceptional researcher with a consistent record of high-impact contributions to neuroscience and epigenetics. Her ability to conduct pioneering research, lead international collaborations, and steer academic publishing speaks volumes about her expertise and influence. While there is scope for expanding into translational domains, her foundational work has laid critical groundwork for future therapeutic strategies in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Given her scientific rigor, leadership, and international collaborations, she is eminently suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Recognizing her achievements would not only honor her individual excellence but also spotlight the growing importance of neuroepigenetics in contemporary biomedical science.