Prof. Dr.-Ing. Vera Meyer
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Vera Meyer runs the Chair of Molecular and Applied Microbiology at TU Berlin since 2011.
The research and optimization of fungal cell factories are the focus, with the aim of a more effective use of fungal metabolic potentials for the production of drugs, platform chemicals, enzymes and biomaterials in the sense of a sustainable bioeconomy and circular economy. Together with her team, she pursues a holistic approach and develops as well as combines methods from systems biology and synthetic biology.
Her inter- and transdisciplinary research projects combine natural and engineering sciences with art, design and architecture and create biobased scenarios for possible living environments of the future. Vera Meyer is also active as a visual artist under the pseudonym V. meer, using the means of art to raise awareness in society of the potential of fungi for a sustainable future.
Technische Universität Berlin
Institut for Biotechnology
Dept. Applied and Molecular Microbiology, TIB 4/4-1
Gustav-Meryer-Allee 25
13355 Berlin
Edited Volumes & Exhibition Catalogues
Meyer, V., Schäffner, W. eds. 2024. Operate with Fungi. Berlin: Berlin Universities Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-21528
Meyer, V., Pfeiffer, S. eds. 2022. Engage with Fungi. Berlin: Berlin Universities Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-15894
Articles in Edited Volumes
Miodragović, N., Sauer, C., Meyer, V. 2025. »Warped Space. Contribution by Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.« In WEtransFORM. On the Future of Building, edited by by Eva Kraus and Sven Sappelt, Bundeskunsthalle Bonn. Berlin: Jovis.
Vera Meyer. 2025. »Back to the roots!« In The Divide Between Humanities and Science. Why It Matters and How it Can be Repaired, edited by Richard C. Brusca Cambridge: Ethics Press.
Delvendahl, N., Dienel, H., Meyer, V., Langen, N., Zimmermann, J., Schlecht, M. 2024. »Narratives of fungal-based materials for a new bioeconomy era.« In Narratives in Times of Radical Transformation, edited by Toshio Kawai, Jonas Fahlbusch, Hans-Liudger Dienel, Ortwin Renn, Regina Renn. Routledge, 96-106.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003496663-9
Articles
Cairns, T., Freidank-Pohl, C., Birke, A. S., Regner, C., Jung, S., Meyer, V. 2025. »Uncovering the transcriptional landscape of Fomes fomentarius during fungal-based material production through gene co-expression network analysis.« Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, 12 (1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-024-00192-3
Chen, H., Schmidt, B., Gennett, A., Kamm, P. H., Gurlo, A., Meyer, V., Simon, U. 2025. »Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of complex three-dimensional ultra-lightweight materials using the basidiomycete Fomes fomentarius.« Materials Advances, 6 (15): 5149-5158.
https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ma00320b
Morris, T., Gerstl, F., Jung, S., Cairns, T. C., Meyer, V. 2025. »The multipurpose cell factory Aspergillus niger can be engineered to produce hydroxylated collagen.« Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, 18 (1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-025-02681-y
Starke, S., Velleman, L., Dobbert, B., Seibert, L., Witte, J., Jung, S., Meyer, V. 2025. »The antifungal peptide AnAFP from Aspergillus niger promotes nutrient mobilization through autophagic recycling during asexual development.« Frontiers in Microbiology, 15
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1490293
Meyer, V., Mengel, S. 2024. »Patent landscape analysis for materials based on fungal mycelium: a guidance report on how to interpret the current patent situation.« Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, 11 (1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-024-00177-2
Architectural Projects
Meyer, V., Almpani-Lekka, D., Angulo Meza, A., Cerimi, K., Pohl, C., Schmidt, B., Schmidts, C., Schubert, B., Stelzer, L., Weber, B., Pfeiffer, S. 2021. MY-CO SPACE. Architectural Project. tinyBE, Molecular and Applied Microbiology at TU Berlin. Frankfurt/M, Germany. 26 June 2021 - 26 September 2021.
https://tinybe.org/en/artists/my-co-x/
Exhibitions
Meyer, V., Pfeiffer, S. and MY-CO-X, Schoenle, L., Reitermann/Sassenroth Architekten. Closer to Nature. Bauen mit Pilz, Baum, Lehm. Exhibition. Berlinische Galerie. 16 February 2024 - 14 October 2024.
https://berlinischegalerie.de/ausstellungen/aktuell/closer-to-nature/
Ross, P., Meyer, V. Fungal Transformer. Exhibition. Fungi – In Art and Science. Nobel Prize Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. 30 September 2023 - 7 January 2024.
Public Engagement
Almpani-Lekka, Dimitra, Asa, Pelin, Dierichs, Karola, Ficht, Johanna, Göngrich, Erik, Kieffer, Lynn Hyun, Kubelík, Anna, Meyer, Vera, Stock, Robert, Wilhelm, Nora. 2024. Symbiotic Futures 1.0. Workshop. Berlinische Galerie, with Philippi, Nils. Berlin. Germany. 5 June 2024.
https://berlinischegalerie.de/veranstaltung/symbiotic-futures-1-0/
Talks & Presentations
Almpani-Lekka, D., Miodragović, N., Meyer, V., Pfeiffer, S. Myko.Plektonik - An Exploration of Fungal Growth on Structural Textiles. Talk at the MY-CO PLACE: Architecture of sustainable growth, MY-CO PLACE at BHROX bauhaus reuse, Berlin. Hybrid. 10 July 2023.
https://www.tu.berlin/en/mikrobiologie/news-details/2023-my-co-place-im-bhrox-am-ernst-reuter-platz-12523-3172023
Almpani-Lekka, D., Miodragović, N., Meyer, V., Volpato, A. Interweaving Architectures of the Future with Fungi. Talk at the Driving the Human: Seven Prototypes for Eco-social Renewal. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 10 May 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/10912/driving-the-human-seven-prototypes-for-eco-social-renewal
Events & Workshops
Vera Meyer, Nora Wilhelm, Erik Göngrich (Mitkunstzentrale), Dimitra Almpani-Lekka, Pelin Asa, Karola Dierichs, Lynn Hyun Kieffer, Aarhus School of Architecture, Anna Kubelík, Robert Stock. Symbiotic Futures 1.0. Berlinische Galerie. 5 June 2024.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/13726/?preview
Research Stays at Another Institution
Miodragović, N. Architect Residence at TU Berlin Biomaterial Lab AMM. Collaboration with Prof. Dr. Vera Meyer, Dr. Bertram Schmidt, Dr. Carsten Pohl, MA Lisa Stelzer. TU Berlin. Since 1 November 2021.