Prof. Dr. Nils Wiedemann, Professor for Biochemistry at the University of Freiburg was appointed to the “Academia Europaea” in April 2024 for his “outstanding achievements as a scientist” in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. The non-governmental academy was founded in 1988 on the initiative of the British Royal Society and other European academies. The aim of the Academy is to promote European research, to advise governments and international organisations on scientific issues, and to support interdisciplinary and international research. 

Wiedemann’s research at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Freiburg, focuses on the formation of the cellular powerplants called mitochondria. These cell organelles contain two membranes which separate the reactions of the mitochondrial energy metabolism. Wiedemann’s work focuses on the mechanisms how mitochondria assemble channels and transporters within the membranes which import nutrient metabolites. Moreover, he discovered and characterized many proteins which are essential to transport enzymes into mitochondria which metabolize the nutrient molecules. Both these processes are crucial to generate the cellular energy molecule which drives the life of cells.

Wiedemann is a member of the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies at the University of Freiburg and of the Spemann Graduate School SGBM at the University of Freiburg.

The Academia Europaea

The Academia Europaea has about 5000 members from the fields of physics and technology, life sciences and medicine, mathematics, humanities, social and cognitive sciences, economics and law, among them 83 Nobel laureates. Appointment to the Academia Europaea is based solely on personal nomination and a multi-stage competitive selection process, and is for life after election by the Council of the Academy.

CIBSS-profile of Prof. Dr. Nils Wiedemann

Original press release on the website of the University of Freiburg