# Jens Meiler

> German biochemist

**Wikidata**: [Q29315318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29315318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jens_Meiler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jens-meiler

## Summary
Jens Meiler is a German biochemist and computational biologist known for applying machine learning and mathematical modeling to protein structure prediction and design. He serves as a professor at Vanderbilt University and Leipzig University, where he leads research on membrane proteins, quantitative biology, and protein engineering. A Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Meiler has significantly advanced the integration of computational methods into biochemistry and drug discovery.

## Biography
- Born: August 31, 1974; Leipzig, Germany
- Nationality: Germany
- Education: [Information not provided in source material]
- Known for: Computational biology, protein design, and machine learning in biochemistry
- Employer(s): Vanderbilt University (since May 2005), Leipzig University (since January 2020)
- Field(s): Membrane proteins, computational biology, quantitative biology, machine learning, protein folding, protein biosynthesis, protein design, protein targeting, SARS-CoV-2
- Academic Appointments: Vanderbilt Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Department of Biomedical Informatics

## Contributions
Jens Meiler's research focuses on developing computational algorithms to predict and design protein structures, with an emphasis on membrane proteins—a class historically difficult to study experimentally. His laboratory integrates machine learning with experimental biochemistry to model protein folding, biosynthesis, and targeting, enabling the rational design of proteins for therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Meiler's work has direct implications for drug discovery, as membrane proteins are frequent drug targets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his lab applied these methods to study SARS-CoV-2 proteins, contributing to the understanding of viral biology. Through his dual appointments at Vanderbilt and Leipzig, he has fostered international collaborations and trained researchers in quantitative biology and computational biochemistry.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Jens Meiler known for?
A: Jens Meiler is known for using computational biology and machine learning to predict and design protein structures, particularly membrane proteins.

### Q: Where does Jens Meiler work?
A: He is a professor at Vanderbilt University in the United States and holds a position at Leipzig University in Germany.

### Q: Has Jens Meiler received any major awards?
A: Yes, he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2021 and is a corresponding member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

### Q: What is the focus of his research?
A: His research focuses on protein folding, protein design, membrane proteins, and the application of machine learning to biological systems, including SARS-CoV-2.

## Why They Matter
Jens Meiler has bridged the gap between computational theory and experimental biochemistry, advancing the field of protein design. By applying machine learning to protein structure prediction, his work has accelerated the development of novel proteins for medicine and biotechnology. His focus on membrane proteins has provided insights into some of the most challenging drug targets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his lab's contributions to understanding SARS-CoV-2 highlighted the real-world impact of computational biology. His leadership at two major universities and his role in international scientific academies underscore his influence in shaping modern quantitative biology.

## Notable For
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2021)
- Corresponding Member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2017)
- Dual academic appointments at Vanderbilt University and Leipzig University
- Pioneering computational methods for membrane protein structure prediction
- Contributions to SARS-CoV-2 protein research

## Body

### Academic Appointments
Jens Meiler has been affiliated with Vanderbilt University since May 2005, holding positions in the Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Biomedical Informatics. Since January 2020, he has also been employed by Leipzig University in Germany, reflecting his ongoing transatlantic academic engagement.

### Research Areas
Meiler's research spans several interconnected fields:
- **Membrane Proteins:** Developing computational tools to model and predict the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins.
- **Protein Design:** Engineering proteins with novel functions for therapeutic use.
- **Machine Learning:** Applying algorithms to problems in protein folding, biosynthesis, and targeting.
- **Quantitative Biology:** Using mathematical models to understand complex biological systems.
- **SARS-CoV-2:** Investigating the structural biology of coronavirus proteins to inform therapeutic development.

### Professional Recognition
Meiler was elected a corresponding member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in February 2017. In 2021, he was recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his contributions to computational biology and biochemistry.

### Online Presence
Meiler's laboratory maintains a Twitter presence (@MeilerLab), established in August 2015, to share research updates. His work is indexed under identifiers including ORCID, Google Scholar, and Springer Nature, ensuring broad accessibility to his publications.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.saw-leipzig.de/de/mitglieder/meilerj)
2. [Source](https://www.vanderbilt.edu/chemistry/faculty/meiler.php)
3. [Source](https://www.vanderbilt.edu/chemistry/faculty/index.php)
4. [Source](http://www.meilerlab.org/)
5. [ORCID Registry](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8945-193X)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20220311133847/https://www.aaas.org/page/2021-fellows)
7. [SciGraph](https://scigraph.springernature.com/person.0657521017.95)
8. [Source](https://www.vumc.org/dbmi/person/jens-meiler-phd)