How did you become a systems biologist?

Having managed large genomics programmes in Germany and seeing their complexity grow, I realized we needed a systems approach that could capture the scale and dynamics of the whole genome. But modern biology lacked engineering technology skills, so I tried to follow the connection between technology and the biological system.

What sparked this interest?

In 2005 I was reading a paper by David Baltimore about the identification of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of host–pathogen interaction when I stumbled across a formula crucial to understanding gene regulation. I had no clue what it meant, so I enrolled in a course in mathematics. I then became more and more aware of the similarities and interdependencies between mathematics and biology.

What are your current projects?

I've just spent seven months at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, working on large-scale mycobacteria sequencing and attending mathematics lectures.

Why are you going to the University of Luxembourg?

Small is beautiful. The university is young, dynamic and industry-friendly. Part of its strategy is to become a big player in biomedical research. Over the next five years it is laying out more than €140 million (US$200 million) to develop programmes in human and mouse genetics and genomics, establish a biobank and create a Centre for Systems Biology, which I will direct. I couldn't resist this opportunity to build something from scratch.

What's your goal in comparative genomics of humans and mice?

Having tried for years to demonstrate how similar the mouse is to the human, I feel it might be time to explain why the mouse is not like the human, particularly when it comes to clinical symptoms. We need to understand these differences if mice are to be more reliable models of human disease.

What has your proudest scientific moment been?

In 1986 I linked the mouse development gene Pax with Waardenburg syndrome, which is an inherited disease characterized by skull abnormalities and often accompanied in humans by deafness.

Was it challenging to build a large science programme in mainland Europe?

Research funding in Europe, including in Luxembourg, is very good. Europeans cooperate well with each other and have built large-scale biology programmes that could not be done by any single European country. The challenge is that many international research funding programmes require major efforts in coordination and organization. Filling out a European Union form to apply for a significant grant is an art in itself.