Hannes Beckert is a PhD student in the 
Neuroimmunology Group of Dr Annett Halle at the research center caesar. As an expert for confocal microscopy, he works on NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
In one sentence, what is your PhD project about?
In my PhD thesis I investigate how changes of the intracellular milieu influence the NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Where did you work before joining the ImmunoSensation Cluster?
I studied biology at the RWTH Aachen and did my diploma thesis at the University Hospital Aachen in the Institute of Human Genetics. There, I characterised protein interactions with polyductin, a protein implicated in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Then I worked at the University Hospital Cologne for one year before I started my PhD in the group of Dr Annett Halle at the research center caesar.
What made you come to Bonn and what do you like about it?
During my studies at the RWTH Aachen, I focused on molecular biology, neurobiology as well as immunology, and therefore the position in the Neuroinflammation Group of Dr Annett Halle perfectly matched my background. Furthermore, the location Bonn with the strong focus on innate immunology and the ImmunoSensation Cluster is perfectly suited for close collaborations and an intense exchange of knowledge. That is why I moved to Bonn and started my PhD here.
What do you do when you are not in the lab?
I like meeting friends and I enjoy to go to the cinema. If there is enough time I go biking in the close-by Siebengebirge.
Author: Christian Sieg