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Dr. Menze finished his PhD in 2001 in the fields of comparative animal physiology and molecular biophysics as part of a joint project between the Institute for Animal Physiology in Düsseldorf and the Institute for Molecular Biophysics in Mainz, Germany. He was fascinated with the complex interactions of small molecules and proteins that increase the ability of crustaceans to survive times of reduced oxygen availability. Immediately after finishing his PhD he joined the team of Dr. Steven Hand at Louisiana State University, and his research continued to focus on the strategies that animals develop to tolerate extreme environmental insults. After finishing his postdoctoral training in 2006 he continued to work at Louisiana State University as an Assistant Research Professor until he joined Eastern Illinois University in 2010. Since 2006, Dr. Menze has maintained a Visiting Scientist Appointment at Harvard Medical School where he developed strong collaborations with Dr. Mehmet Toner at the Center for Engineering in Medicine. In 2010, Dr. Menze was part of an expedition to Antarctica where he investigated the molecular adaptations of fish to constant cold. His main research is focused on the question: how can some animals survive intense environmental insults such as complete dehydration, freezing, or lack of oxygen on the cellular level? His goal is to elucidate the biological principles that enable extremotolerant animals to survive environmental insults at the molecular, organelle, cellular, and whole animal levels and to apply his findings in order to treat mitochondrial dysfunctions and to improve the preservation of mammalian cells and tissues. Dr. Menze maintains a strong student centered research program. Prospective undergraduate and graduate students that are interested in performing research in his laboratory are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Menze.  

To access manuscripts and publication please see:http://works.bepress.com/michael_menze/

Areas of Expertise

• Biology

Education

2001  Dr. rer. nat.     
Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
 
1997    Dipl. Biol.        
Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Major: Zoology (Physiology)
Minors: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry

Research Interests

Some animals are capable of surviving extreme environmental insults. I am interested in the adaptations of extremotolerant animals to environmental insults such as desiccation, heat shock, freezing, and hypoxia. My goal is to elucidate the biological principles at the molecular, organelle, cellular and whole animal levels that enable these exceptional animals to survive life-threatening conditions. Part of my research focus on the role of protective proteins (e.g. heat shock proteins, late embryogenesis abundant proteins, ice nucleation proteins) in stabilizing cellular membranes and proteins during desiccation and freezing. I am especially interested in how the mitochondrion is functionally preserved in animals that undergo complete desiccation. Understanding the principles that govern life under extreme conditions will greatly enhance our ability to preserve clinical important cellular materials and help us to better understand and treat diseases that involve mitochondrial dysfunctions.

Contact Information