Face of the LIB: Heike Wägele

Do you specialise?

I specialise in Opisthobranchia. These marine snails exhibit a wide range of biological phenomena and are beautiful in their variety of colours and shapes. In the course of their evolutionary development, they have developed some strategies that are almost unique in the animal kingdom and therefore make them extremely interesting for evolutionary research. Many snails are able to ingest poisonous substances, such as nettle capsules from jellyfish relatives, with their food, which they can use for defence if necessary. When researching genetic changes, I am interested in the question: Why can we eat poison? We get to the bottom of this by analysing molecules, investigating the structure and shape of organisms or researching phylogenetic precursors, for example.

What are the benefits of your field of research?

The active substances of the mourning star snail for protection against predators are being investigated for their pharmaceutical effectiveness against breast cancer, skin diseases or the growth of tumour cells, for example. Natural substances could also one day replace antibiotics. In a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research together with the Pharmaceutical Biology Department at the University of Bonn, we have analysed the species diversity of marine snails in Indonesia. We found many new species that pharmacists were able to use in the search for new medical agents. Nobel laureate Eric Kandel used the nervous system of a hindgill snail to investigate which proteins are required for the formation of short- and long-term memory and demonstrated similar mechanisms in the brain stems of humans. These discoveries are significant for the understanding of normal brain functions and their disorders in neurological and mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. But the incorporation of foreign organelles or entire organisms is also of great importance for research into symbioses.

Have you ever thought in the wrong direction and made a mistake?

Yes, this happens again and again when identifying snails, as they very often change colour in the course of their development. For example, a snail I identified as Thorunna australis, which was only a few millimetres in size, turned out to be the Spanish dancer(Hexabranchus sanguineus), which can grow up to 50 centimetres. It was a misinterpretation, clarified by molecular analyses. Sometimes you are also put "back on the right track" through co-operation with other research institutions. As a scientist, you never stop learning and you always have to be open to other disciplines that can broaden your horizons.

Where do you see your greatest professional success?

In obtaining various research grants from the German Research Foundation and, in particular, in successfully applying for a professorship in Marburg, which I gave up for my family at the time. I always wanted to do research. I found a home at the Museum Koenig Bonn, where I was able to combine both early on. I successfully supervised many doctoral students and led a fairly large working group with students from the Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes at the University of Bonn. Their positive feedback and that of the many mentees I have supported in my academic career has always shown me that I am on the right track.

Was your job your dream job from the outset or did it develop into one? Were there any alternatives?

I started diving at the age of 13. From then on, I had an idea of what biology was like. That fascinated me. Nudibranchs are creative, colourful, delicate and you have to look very closely. But I've also always - and still do - enjoy craft activities and once imagined working in a handicraft shop. Today I do a bit of jewellery design and still work on furniture or knit. Creativity, new techniques and working with beautiful things - that's important to me, both in science and in my hobbies.

What is the most complicated technical term to pronounce in your field of research and how can it be translated in a visitor-friendly way?

Aeolidioidea (aeolis Greek for pipe/tube). The term describes the family of so-called thread snails. These animals are found all over the world. Another tongue twister is Pteraeolidia. This snail has tubular dorsal appendages that are arranged like wings (pteron Greek for wing).

Which aspect of your day-to-day work is your highlight?

Asking questions, thinking, networking, discovering and understanding the animal group. This combination is my highlight. I appreciate the cooperation with colleagues from other research institutions, the transfer of knowledge and the collaboration with students, from which ideas and topics bubble up: Marine pollution is such a big issue. I always feel the need to look, to discover the beauty of snails again and again. Snails are the butterflies of the sea. That's a nice metaphor. Because snails are not really people's favourites. But if you present the beauty of snails with their many biological aspects in an exciting way, then not only researchers, but also children and other interested people will be fascinated by these animals.

Where would you take me first in the Museum Koenig Bonn? What is your favourite place in the Museum Koenig Bonn?

The histology lab. With the help of histology and its staining methods, you can gain great insights from the smallest tissue samples. But the museum park is also a very beautiful place, which I have been helping to design in our garden team for many years. However, my favourite place to be is my office. This is where I develop ideas with students from our graduate school and the University of Bonn, explain many connections, edit manuscripts and prepare expert reports.

PROF. DR. HEIKE WÄGELE isHead of the Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Biology Section at the LIB, Museum Koenig Bonn. She studied biology in Munich, Kiel and Oldenburg. Since completing her doctorate, she has dedicated her research to marine snails. Several research visits have taken her to the Antarctic, Australia and Indonesia. She has been a scientist at the Museum Koenig Bonn since 2005 and investigates phylogenetic and evolutionary biology issues in the group of Opisthobranchia.