Our mission
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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 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, regeneration 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 extend our findings to powerful complementary systems, including cell culture and mouse.
Our institute brings together experts in various fields: molecular biology, mechanobiology, advanced imaging, chemical screening, toxicology, functional genomics (CRISPR‑mediated genome editing, RNA‑seq), synthetic genomics (designing custom genetic sequences), and bioinformatics/computational modelling.
- the European Zebrafish Resource Center (EZRC) --- one of just two global zebrafish stock centres worldwide --- and the Medaka Inbred Kiyosu-Karlsruhe (MIKK) panel of eighty inbred medaka lines.
- Screening centre & Imaging Hub, providing cutting-edge visualization infrastructure and expert support for complex biological systems to foster innovation with our global collaborators.
KIT Campus North, 30-31 Oct 2026 --- IBCS hosted a special reunion to honor Prof. Dr. Peter Herrlich, former director of the Institute for Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), the predecessor of the IBCS.
From 1977 to 2003, Peter led the ITG with a visionary focus on molecular biology and cancer research, shaping the institute's scientific trajectory. From 2003, Peter went on to lead the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute in Jena, further strengthening his reputation as a leader in biomedical research. His dedication to advancing research earned him the prestigious Ernst Jung Gold Medal for Medicine in 2012, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions.
To celebrate his legacy, the reunion brought together over 60 alumni, colleagues, and friends from around the world. Attendees shared cherished memories, anecdotes, and reflections on Peter’s impact as both a scientist and mentor, underscoring the profound influence he had on their careers and the field.
the Ernst Jung Gold Medal for Medicine 2012
Heidelberg, 16-18 Sep 2026 --- Dr. Sepand Rastegar (IBCS-BIP) organized a landmark research meeting, bringing together leading experts to advance collaboration across fish model systems. Supported by Prof. Dr. Nicholas Simon Foulkes, Dr. Laetitia Préau, and Dr. Rima Siauciunaite, the event united researchers working on diverse fish models—including zebrafish, cavefish, killifish, and medaka—to share cutting-edge insights and foster future collaborations.
Held at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) in Heidelberg, the meeting provided a unique platform for exchanging innovative ideas, strengthening scientific networks, and accelerating discoveries in biology using fish organisms.
This initiative highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in biomedical research and underscores IBCS-BIP’s commitment to advancing collaborative science.
1st German Fish Meeting
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.
KIT Press Release
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.
KIT Press Release
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.
KIT Media News