Prof. Dr. Markus Affolter, Emeritus

Prof. Markus Affolter's research primarily focused on understanding the cellular and molecular processes involved in organ formation and blood vessel network development. His work spanned two model organisms: the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and zebrafish. Using advanced techniques such as live-imaging and high-resolution microscopy, Affolter and his team made significant strides in understanding morphogenesis.

One of his notable achievements included demonstrating, in collaboration with the University of Freiburg and the University of Lausanne, the key functions of the morphogen Dpp and the feedback regulator Pentagone in proportional tissue growth (scaling) in the wing disc of the fruit fly.

Affolter's research group employed genetic methods to analyze organ development in Drosophila melanogaster. They developed special techniques to observe organ development in living animals using fluorescent proteins, which led to detailed models describing the formation of the tracheal system and wings.

In addition to his work with Drosophila, Affolter applied insights gained from tracheal development in fruit flies to understand vascular system development in zebrafish. His team investigated the generation and networking of blood vessels, with particular interest in vessel remodeling during development, injury, and disease states.

Affolter pioneered the use of functionalized protein binders (nanobodies, DARPins, etc.) in Drosophila and zebrafish. These tools were developed to enable direct and acute regulation of protein function in vivo, aiming to better understand the development and function of complex organs like the vasculature.

Throughout his career, Affolter's research contributed significantly to the understanding of complex processes involved in organ design, including the control and integration of cell migration and rearrangement via cell-cell signaling and extracellular matrix components.