Rate My Professor Nikolai Windbichler

Dr. Nikolai Windbichler is an Associate Professor in Genetics in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He obtained his PhD in Genetics from the University of Vienna and relocated to Imperial College in 2006 to develop genetic control technologies for the human malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Since then, he has progressed through the ranks, establishing the Windbichler lab dedicated to genome engineering for insect pest and disease vector control. In September 2023, he was promoted to Reader in recognition of his academic achievements.

The research in Windbichler’s lab focuses on advanced genetic tools including gene drive systems for population replacement and suppression, synthetic sex ratio distorters that bias offspring towards males by targeting the X chromosome from the Y chromosome, and synthetic transcription factors to regulate endogenous gene expression. As co-Director of the Transmission Zero programme—a multinational effort to halt malaria spread—he leads the genetic engineering and gene drive components, developing mosquito strains incapable of transmitting the disease for potential release in Africa. His highly influential publications include 'A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system targeting female reproduction in the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae' (2016, cited 1604 times), 'A synthetic homing endonuclease-based gene drive system in the human malaria mosquito' (2011, cited 462 times), 'A synthetic sex ratio distortion system for the control of the human malaria mosquito' (2014, cited 431 times), 'Targeting the X chromosome during spermatogenesis induces Y chromosome transmission ratio distortion and early dominant embryo lethality in Anopheles gambiae' (2008, cited 253 times), and 'A CRISPR-Cas9 sex-ratio distortion system for genetic control' (2016, cited 250 times). With over 5600 citations on Google Scholar, Windbichler’s pioneering contributions have shaped the field of engineering biology and genetic strategies for malaria vector control.