We mourn the loss of Heinz Sklenar

We will remember Heinz Sklenar as a modest and highly dedicated scientist, as well as a wise, cheerful and kind colleague. He made lasting contributions to the development of the Max Delbrück Center, especially during the turbulent years following German reunification.

Heinz Sklenar was born in Sangerhausen, where he spent his school years. He went on to study physics at the University of Dresden, graduating with a diploma in nuclear physics. In the late 1960s, he moved to Berlin-Buch, where he found his future scientific calling: theoretical biophysics. He began this work first as a doctoral student and later as a research associate at the Institute of Biophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR. In this field, Heinz Sklenar made pioneering contributions to the geometric description of irregular helical nucleic acids.

He played a key role in integrating the Institute of Biophysics into the Central Institute for Molecular Biology of the Academy, and, after reunification, he was actively and constructively involved in the transition of the Academy institutes in Buch into what became the newly founded Max Delbrück Center. Heinz Sklenar was among those Academy scientists who, following a formal appointment process, became group leaders at our research center. In this important role, he significantly advanced structural research on our Berlin Buch campus.

The Max Delbrück Center extends its heartfelt condolences to Heinz Sklenar’s family on the loss of a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Our thoughts are especially with his wife, Gisela Sklenar, who herself worked for many years at the Max Delbrück Center.