With a background in Biology and a PhD in Biochemistry, I have led research teams in the field of ion channel–drug discovery and at the Max Planck Research Center caesar. Since 2015, I have been a Professor of Regenerative Biomedicine at the CeRA, where I head a group dedicated to understanding signal transduction in sperm. Our work focuses on the ion channels, receptors, and messengers that enable sperm to sense and respond to environmental cues and how their dysregulation contributes to sperm dysfunction and male infertility. We address these questions through interdisciplinary collaboration, e.g., within the frameworks of the CRU326, ReproTrack.MS, and ProCon.MS. Our goal is to advance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Following my apprenticeship as a medical technical assistant, I worked in microbiology before joining the CeRA in 2025 for the Gates Foundation-funded project on infertility and contraceptive development (ProCon.MS). My role involves conducting laboratory experiments to improve infertility diagnostics and develop non-hormonal female contraceptives. What I really like about working here is the supportive and friendly atmosphere, and the opportunity to learn from the various ongoing projects.
Dr. rer. nat. Christoph Brenker Senior Scientist, Principle Investigator Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 58240 E-Mail: Christoph Brenker ResearchGate PubMed
After completing my physics degree, I pursued a PhD in biophysical chemistry at the Max Planck Research Centre caesar, investigating the biophysics of ion channels in human sperm using a combination of electrophysiological and optical techniques. I joined the CeRA in 2015 and now explore the biophysical mechanisms underlying ion channels and transporters in sperm cells, as well as the way in which the interplay of these signalling molecules enables sperm to sense chemical cues and shape their behaviour. Our work is highly interdisciplinary, conducted in collaboration with several groups within the CRU326 and ProCon.MS consortia frameworks.
Having completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Georg August University in Göttingen, where I specialised in macrochemistry and analytics and wrote my Bachelor's thesis on the characterisation of modified cellulose-based ultrafiltration membranes at Sartorius Stedim Biotech, I began a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Münster. For my master's thesis, I am currently working to establish a fluorescence-based thallium flux assay for the sperm-specific potassium channel, known as the SLO3 channel, as well as to characterise pharmaceutical activators and inhibitors. This interdisciplinary work combines methods from cell biology, pharmacology, bioanalytics and chemistry.
Vincent Lucas Fischer Guest Scientist Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 54858 E-Mail: Vincent Lucas Fischer
After completing my Economics degree and Master's thesis at Daimler, I joined CeRA in June 2021 to become part of the interdisciplinary team developing the CatSper test. Following the successful completion of the product development phase, we established Truion GmbH in 2022 — a MedTech spin-off from the University of Münster — with the aim of making our user-friendly invention accessible to patients. As CEO and minority shareholder of Truion, I am passionate about translating scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit patients. Our CE-marked CatFlux test is now available in several European countries and is set to become a science-based innovation in reproductive medicine.
As a science manager, I coordinate the international research project ProCon.MS. I enjoy being part of a team of people from different backgrounds who work together constructively on exciting topics. Prior to joining CeRA in 2025, I worked as an editor at a publishing house and from 2012 to 2025, I worked as a scientific staff member in the management of the Cluster of Excellence 'Religion and Politics', studying university and science management alongside my work.
Sarah Herrmann Doctoral Candidate E-Mail: Sarah Herrmann
My interest in reproductive biology began while I was studying agricultural sciences at the University of Bonn. I completed my doctorate in reproductive biotechnology in cattle, conducting research into the relationship between bioenergetic profiles and the vitality of bovine embryos. Having gained initial experience in a human assisted reproductive medicine laboratory, I joined CeRA as a postdoc on the ProCon.MS project. I am eager to contribute to the ProCon.MS study and, alongside my colleagues, explore the differences in sperm function between infertile and fertile men. This will help us to improve our understanding of unexplained male infertility and advance the development of non-hormonal contraceptives.
Lisa Lahrmann Medical Technician Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 58651 E-Mail: Lisa Lahrmann
I studied biology at the Technical University of Munich. In May 2023, I joined Timo's lab to begin my PhD as part of the ChemBion research training group. My research focuses on the molecular pharmacology of Slo3, a sperm-specific potassium channel. I am investigating its regulation, physiology and molecular pharmacology, mostly using electrophysiological techniques and calcium fluorometry assays.
Dr. rer. nat. Christian Schiffer Guest Scientist Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 54837 E-Mail: Christian Schiffer PubMed
Dr. rer. nat. Samuel Young Guest Scientist Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 54858 E-Mail: Samuel Young ResearchGate
With a background in Chemical Engineering (B.Sc., Oregon State University, USA) and Biomedical Engineering (M.Sc., University of Applied Sciences Münster), I completed my PhD in Biology at the University of Münster, where I investigated sperm ion channels in the Strünker lab. I am co-founder of Truion GmbH, a spin-off from this group, which has developed and produces CatFlux, an innovative in vitro diagnostic based on the CatSper Test for male infertility. I continue to collaborate closely with the Strünker group, bridging academic discoveries with medical device development and clinical application.
I began my research career in 2014 at Shandong University in China, where I focused on enzyme substrate specificity. I then pursued my PhD at Freie Universität Berlin and the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, specialising in structural biology and pharmacology. I used protein NMR and biophysical techniques to study protein structure and drug interactions. I completed my PhD at the University of Vienna, writing my thesis on the allosteric modulation of C-type lectins. In April 2024, I joined CeRA as part of ReproTrack.MS, where I am currently working on the in situ structural analysis of human sperm protein complexes using cryo-electron tomography. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, cycling and strength training.
Dr. rer. nat. Wenxin Felix Zhu Postdoc E-Mail: Felix Zhu
After completing my chemistry degree at Goethe University Frankfurt, I obtained my PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Eugen Proschak. As a postdoc, I am now working on sperm-specific ion channels in a collaboration between the IPMC of the University of Münster and CeRA within ChemBion. My research focuses on the synthesis and application of photoactivatable tool compounds to study CatSper. Our goal is to study the pharmacological mechanisms of CatSper modulation with spatiotemporal control.
