Peer Bork serves as the Interim Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Europe's premier intergovernmental life sciences research organization, a position he assumed in April 2025. Prior to this leadership role, he directed the EMBL site in Heidelberg where he also functioned as strategic head of bioinformatics, coordinating all computational activities across the institution. Holding a PhD in Biochemistry from Leipzig University (1990) and a Habilitation in Theoretical Biophysics from Humboldt University, Berlin (1995), Dr. Bork has been instrumental in shaping EMBL's scientific direction since joining in 1991. Throughout his distinguished career, he established himself as a Senior Group Leader and Joint Head of the Structural and Computational Biology unit, positions that enabled him to build one of Europe's most influential computational biology research groups. His trajectory from Group Leader in 1995 to Director General exemplifies his exceptional scientific leadership and growing influence across the international life sciences community.
Dr. Bork has pioneered transformative approaches in computational and systems biology, with over 600 research publications including more than 80 in Nature, Science, and Cell that have garnered more than 250,000 citations and an H-factor of 211 as of 2021. His groundbreaking work spans multiple domains, from foundational contributions to the Human Genome Project and protein interaction networks to innovative research in comparative metagenomics and microbiome analysis that has redefined our understanding of human health and disease. Recognized as one of the most cited researchers in life sciences globally, he developed publicly available bioinformatic tools that have become standard resources for researchers worldwide, addressing critical challenges in health, environmental science, and biological discovery. His entrepreneurial spirit has led to the co-founding of five successful biotechnology companies, two of which achieved public listing, demonstrating the practical applications and commercial viability of his scientific innovations. This remarkable research output has positioned him among the top five most influential scientists in Biochemistry and Biology worldwide, with particular distinction as Europe's most cited researcher in Molecular Biology and Genetics for many years.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Dr. Bork has profoundly shaped the computational biology field through his leadership in mentoring the next generation of scientists, with more than 50 former associates now holding prominent professorships and group leadership positions across the globe. His exceptional mentorship was formally recognized with the prestigious Nature Award for Creative Mentoring, highlighting his commitment to nurturing scientific talent and fostering collaborative research environments. Currently serving on the editorial board of Science and as Senior Editor of Molecular Systems Biology, he continues to influence the direction and quality of scientific publishing in his discipline while leading EMBL's strategic vision as Interim Director General. Recent accolades including the 2021 Novozymes Prize and International Society for Computational Biology Accomplishments by a Senior Scientist Award underscore the enduring impact and relevance of his work across multiple domains of life sciences. As he guides EMBL into its next phase of discovery, Dr. Bork remains dedicated to advancing integrative computational approaches that address pressing global challenges in health, environmental sustainability, and fundamental biological understanding.
