Dr. Gunnar von Heijne is a distinguished theoretical chemist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of membrane protein architecture and function. He currently serves as Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at Stockholm University, a position he has held continuously since 1994, following significant contributions at Karolinska Institutet and the Royal Institute of Technology. A graduate of the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, he earned his Master of Science in Chemistry in 1975 and his PhD in Theoretical Physics in 1980, establishing an interdisciplinary foundation that would define his career trajectory. His early career included a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan and a notable period as science correspondent for Swedish National Radio, which honed his ability to translate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Dr. von Heijne's groundbreaking research has fundamentally reshaped the field of membrane protein biology through his discovery of the critical role of positively charged amino acids in determining membrane protein topology. His development of innovative theoretical methods for predicting transmembrane segments has become standard practice in bioinformatics pipelines worldwide, enabling more accurate protein structure prediction across thousands of genomes. His work has illuminated the complex mechanisms of membrane protein assembly in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, providing foundational insights that inform therapeutic development for membrane protein-related disorders. The widespread adoption of his computational approaches demonstrates the profound impact of his contributions to structural biology and bioinformatics.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Professor von Heijne has played a pivotal leadership role in establishing Stockholm as a global hub for biomembrane research through his directorship of the Center for Biomembrane Research from 2006 to 2015 and the Stockholm Bioinformatics Center from 2000 to 2006. His service as Director of the SciLifeLab National Cryo-EM Facility further expanded his influence into cutting-edge structural biology techniques, bridging computational and experimental approaches to protein structure determination. As both a mentor to numerous researchers and an active participant in the global scientific community, his work continues to shape the next generation of discoveries in membrane protein biology. His current research focuses on deepening our understanding of membrane protein folding and assembly mechanisms, leveraging integrated approaches to address fundamental questions in cellular biology.
