Regular biography
Mecky Pohlschröder is a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biology. As Founder and Director, he leads research in Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics, Epigenetics, Genomics, and Microbiology. His work focuses on archaeal cell surface biogenesis and function, using the archaeon Haloferax volcanii to study molecular mechanisms of protein transport, membrane anchoring, and surface filaments. His research includes the discovery of archaeal enzymes involved in lipoprotein lipidation and novel roles for glycosylation in motility and biofilm formation. He also investigates regulatory mechanisms governing archaeal cell shape transitions and density-dependent cell-cell communication. His lab combines genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, and quantitative omics technologies to advance understanding of archaeal biology and its implications for microbial ecology and evolution.