Ralf Himmelreich's Biography

Ralf Himmelreich, Head of Biodiagnostics Group, Fraunhofer ICT-IMM

Dr. Ralf Himmelreich, head of the Biodiagnostics group within the Microfluidic Analysis Systems Department at Fraunhofer ICT-IMM in Mainz, studied biology at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg. He obtained his PhD in 1997 at the ZMBH (Zentrum fuer Molekulare Biologie Heidelberg). His diploma and dissertation had a strong focus on molecular biology namely cloning, expression analysis, whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics. In 1997 Ralf Himmelreich joined QIAGEN GmbH based in Hilden Germany where he held different positions. Within his 15 years at Qiagen he was responsible for contract DNA sequencing, kit development, basic research, and finally development of “Integrated Microsystems” for molecular diagnostics in the field point of care testing (POCT). He joined 2012 the former ‘Institut fuer Mikrotechnik’ in Mainz (IMM) where he is since now involved in projects related microfluidic systems engineering, cell biology and molecular diagnostic systems. Since January 2014, the IMM belongs to Fraunhofer ICT-IMM and we are part of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft with currently 66 institutes and research units.