Our mission

We decode the molecular mechanisms of biological information processing to drive proof-of-principle applications in information technology, biotechnology and medicine.

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Cell, tissue and organ development are governed by spatial and temporal processes that span scales—from molecular organization within a single cell to the mechanics of cells within and across tissues. These processes integrate multiple cues:

  • Genetic: cell fate allocation and patterning of body axes, positions and boundaries.
  • Molecular: signals from the extracellular matrix, lipids, metabolites, hormones and guidance molecules.
  • Mechanical: forces such as blood‑flow shear, stretch, compression and tissue stiffness, as well as acoustic/vibrational inputs.
  • Environmental: light–dark and temperature cycles, nutrition, and exposure to chemicals or nanomaterials.

 

We study how cells sense these cues and make decisions—and what that means for development, homeostasis and disease. Our goal is to understand these principles deeply enough to engineer them, with applications in regenerative medicine and biotechnology.

 

Primary models are zebrafish and medaka—transparent, rapidly developing vertebrates that reveal biology in vivo and in real time. We also extend our findings to complementary systems, including cell culture and mouse.

 

Our institute brings together experts in advanced live imaging, mechanobiology, chemical screening, functional genomics (CRISPR‑mediated genome editing, RNA‑seq), synthetic genomics (designing new or rewritten genetic sequences), and bioinformatics/computational modelling.

The institute hosts vital, world-class resources that power the broader scientific community: 

News

IBCS-BIP Launched the 1st German Fish Model Research Meeting

Dr. Sepand Rastegar (IBCS-BIP) organized this meeting with the support of our colleagues, Prof. Dr. Nicholas Simon Foulkes, Dr. Laetitia Préau and Dr. Rima Siauciunaite, who contributed to its success. The meeting took place in September 2026 at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) in Heidelberg. It was a unique gathering for fostering collaboration and sharing innovative ideas across fish models such as zebrafish, cavefish, killifish and medaka, among others.

 
A novel RNA class: smOOPs
The fundamental flow of biological information relies on three core pillars: DNA, RNA, and proteins. Notably, interactions between RNA and proteins can drive the formation of condensed biomolecular droplets. Integrating experimental analysis on RNA-protein droplets with computational approaches, Prof. Miha Modic from our institute has identified a novel class of RNA that plays an active role during early embryonic development. Find out more.
Moving Beyond Mammals: New Chemical Safety Test Predicts Human Toxicity

In a major milestone for safety research, an international team led by Drs. Thomas Dickmeis and Carsten Weiss has established a breakthrough method to evaluate the toxic effects of chemicals on humans. By replacing traditional mammalian models with a strategic set of alternative, non-mammalian organisms, this new approach delivers faster, highly ethical, and reliable risk assessments. Read the feature on the KIT website.

How an Eyeless Cave Fish Is Rewriting the Rules of DNA Repair

Having spent millions of years isolated in total darkness, blind cave fish have completely lost their eyes. Yet, by studying this unique organism, an international research team led by Prof. Nicholas Foulkes discovered that a key DNA repair enzyme—long believed to only fix light-induced damage—can also repair DNA damages that have nothing to do with light. Find out more.