Sander Lab
Pancreatic Organoid Research and Disease Modeling
Profile
The goal of our research is to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the formation and function of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, which are affected in diabetes. Our research leverages a human stem cell-based organoid model of pancreatic islets to identify causes of diabetes and develop innovative therapies.
Employing multi-omic approaches and computational modeling, we study the gene regulatory and metabolic mechanisms that govern beta cell differentiation and maintenance of a functional beta cell state. We validate computational predictions with targeted CRISPR-Cas9-based and small molecule screens in the human organoid model.
Team
Group Leader
Prof. Dr. Maike Sander
Prof. Dr. Maike Sander is a leading expert in diabetes research, focusing on the development and function of pancreatic islets. With a background in medicine and molecular biology, her groundbreaking work has advanced understanding of beta cell biology and diabetes pathogenesis. As a professor and director at MDC, Prof. Dr. Sander oversees innovative research using cutting-edge technologies like single-cell genomics and proteomics to unravel mechanisms of insulin production and beta cell failure.
Administrative Assistant
Eleonora Corrias
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-2496
More description to follow soon ...
Senior Scientist
Dr. Ulrika Beitnere
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-3180
Ulrika is a senior scientist and project lead in the group, specializing in CRISPR-based enhancement of stem cell-derived pancreatic islets. With a background in pharmacology, genome editing, and neuroscience, her work bridges fundamental research and translational science. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Latvia, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases, and completed a postdoc at UC Davis studying Angelman Syndrome. Her current goal is to integrate CRISPR advancements into organ-on-chip platforms to study cross-organ interaction. In her free time, Ulrika loves to explore new museums, restaurants and neighborhoods in Berlin and outside of it.
Postdocs
Dr. Alexis Shih
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-1240
Alexis holds a B.Sc in Biochemistry from Imperial College London, UK and M.Sc in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. In March 2024, she earned her PhD from Charité, where she investigated the trafficking pathways of the beta-cell hormone IAPP and islet amyloid formation using mouse models. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher in the Sander lab, she focuses on modeling diabetes and islet amyloid pathology using human stem cell-derived islet organoids and contributes to projects that explore beta-cell heterogeneity and functional maturation. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Dr. Somesh Sai
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-1240
Somesh earned his PhD from Freie Universität Berlin in October 2024, focusing on β-cell responses to metabolic stress using scRNA-seq. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the group, working on single-cell projects and developing data analysis and management strategies. He holds an MSc in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics from ETH Zürich and a B.Tech in Bioinformatics from VIT University. Outside of the lab, he likes swimming, running and exploring the multitude of restaurants in Berlin.
Dr. Lennart Hoffmann
Contact: E-mail
Lennart is a postdoc in the group since February 2025. More description to follow soon ...
PhD Students
Snigdha Nadagouda
Contact: E-mail
Snigdha is interested in exploring how the post-translational modifications linked to cellular metabolism of embryonic stem cell- derived pancreatic beta cells regulate their function. She studies these processes with the help of proteomics and metabolomics, live-cell imaging, and other experimental approaches. Snigdha pursued her BSc and MSc in Microbiology at the Pune University, India, followed by a brief Junior Research Fellowship at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India, before joining the MDC for her PhD. Outside work, you’ll find her reading fiction, walking around the city or trying new activities.
Dinc Yasat Hacibaloglu
Contact: E-mail
Yasat started his PhD in the group from December 2023. More description to follow soon ...
Till Janotte
Contact: E-mail
Till holds a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and earned an MSc in Biomedicine from Hannover Medical School, with a focus on genetic modification and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Currently pursuing a PhD, his research centers on developing a differentiation protocol for intestinal organoids. He aims to use stem cell-derived intestinal models to study organ-to-organ interactions with stem cell-derived pancreatic tissue in an organ-on-chip system. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring Berlin, reading, playing volleyball, and connecting with new people—especially within the international community at MDC.
Malcolm Lennart Hain
Contact: E-mail
Malcolm started his PhD in the group from March 2025. More description to follow soon ...
Technicians
Michael Schlichting
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-3182
Michael earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Emory University in May 2000. After establishing a career in the finance and technology sectors, he transitioned to scientific research, joining the Sander Lab in 2017. He applies his technical expertise to study pancreatic beta cell development and dysfunction using stem cell models. Outside the lab, Michael enjoys swimming, cycling around Berlin, and playing the occasional video games.
Antje Susan Brouwer-Lehmitz
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-3182
After graduating in Biochemistry at HU Berlin, Antje got involved in the field of Developmental Biology at the Hubrecht Institute, The Netherlands (1991). At that time, she started working with embryonic stem cells, which were mainly used to knock out genes in mice. From her time at the MPI-MG in Berlin (2005), she gained first experience with culturing intestinal organoids and has been excited by the potential of stem cells ever since. At the MDC (2011), she continued working with these cells and differentiating them into organoids. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and like to be outside, working in her garden or cycling.
Madlen Kramer
Contact: E-mail | +49 30 9406-3181
Madlen joined the group starting July 2024. More description to follow soon ...
Graduate & Undergraduate Students
Deborah-Elischeva Kogan
Contact: E-mail
Deborah is a passionate and versatile person with a strong background in biotechnology and the arts. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the Technical University of Berlin, conducting her thesis at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment on intestinal organoids. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s in Medical Biotechnology at TU Berlin, focusing on enhancing the maturation of stem cell-derived pancreatic islets through a CRISPR-screen at the Sander Lab. For the past 13 years, she has immersed herself in analog photography, developing extensive darkroom and photo lab skills. Three years ago, she launched her own business specializing in analog photography. In her free time, she enjoys playing musical instruments, singing in a choir, and staying active through climbing, yoga, fitness, and much more.
Luka Ugulava
Contact: E-mail
Luka joined the group starting October 2024. More description to follow soon ...
Seif Elgewily
Contact: E-mail
More description to follow soon ...
Former Lab Members
Araceli Ramirez || Associate Scientist at BrainXell Therapeutics, San Diego
Satnam Singh || Currently pursuing PhD at Fraunhofer IZI, Leipzig
Annika Wuddel ||
Research
An overview of the various research projects currently underway in the group will be available soon ....
Day-to-Day in the group ...
Publications
News
Opportunities
Post-doctoral Fellows
We welcome post-doctoral fellows who have a strong interest and/or prior training in stem cell, computational, beta cell or cancer biology.
To apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory, please send the following information to Dr. Maike Sander (maike.sander (at) mdc-berlin.de):
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information of 3 references
- Why you are interested in the lab and your postdoctoral training goals\
PhD Candidates
Students interested in applying for a PhD position in our group should apply through the MDC Graduate Program:
Apply for a PhD
Next call: November 2024 - January 2025
/phd
We accept rolling applications for self funded PhD students (i.e. with scholarships). Please send the following information to Dr. Ulrika Beitnere (ulrika.beitnere (at) mdc-berlin.de):
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- Why you are interested in the lab and your training goals
Bachelor / Master students
To apply for an internship or a research stay, please e-mail Dr. Ulrika Beitnere (ulrika.beitnere (at) mdc-berlin.de) with a few sentences describing your background and research interest.
