Alexander Bläßle, PhD Student
Hometown: Ulm, Germany
Affiliation: Friedrich Miescher Laboratory, Systems Biology of Development Group
What are you working on?
How does a
stem-cell know what kind of cell it is going to be, where to go and
what to do? In embryonic development, this is often controlled by
so-called signaling molecules: Molecules that move between cells,
then dock to a cell and thus tell the cell what to do. Which cells
the signaling molecule can reach is determined by how fast the
molecule moves and how long it lives.
I assess exactly those properties of relevant signaling molecules
in zebrafish embryos and then use mathematical modeling to verify
and extend these measurements.
Why is it interesting?
Just imagine that all people in your hometown are gathering on a
soccer field. Then you tell one of them that they have to align
such that you could read your name from an aerial view and they
have to be finished in 15 minutes. If your town has more than 1000
people, this will probably end in a catastrophe. Now imagine that
happening with a billion people, forming a much more complex shape
such as a body. This is embryonic development. Crazy, right?
What is your favourite thing outside of
science?
Definitely sports and nature. Working in the lab often provides
long incubation periods that can be used for a run, a visit at the
local pool or some biking in the nearby Schönbuch forest.
Your favourite spot in Tübingen is?
Hohenentringen castle. It has a nice beer garden with a spectacular
view over the Ammertal and is only 20 mins by bike from the
institute.
