Maximiliano Gutierrez

Max is a cell biologist originally from Mendoza, Argentina.

In 2005, he obtained a PhD in cell biology from the University of San Luis, Argentina. During his PhD work, he discovered a novel innate immune pathway, later named “Xenophagy”.

In 2006, he moved to EMBL in Heidelberg, Germany as a postdoc in Gareth Griffiths Laboratory, first as a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and then as an EMBO fellow. His work in Heidelberg focused on the cell biology and imaging of macrophages; it was also in Heidelberg that he felt in love with Electron Microscopy.

In 2009, he started his independent research group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany as head of the Junior Research Group 'Phagosome Biology'.

In 2012, he was recruited as a Programme Leader Track at the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research, which became part of the Francis Crick Institute in 2015. Since 2018, he is a Senior Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute.

Areas of interest

As a cell biologist trained in microbiology, how intracellular pathogens evolved strategies to survive within host cells has always fascinated me and clearly shaped my scientific career.

My long-standing interest is the cellular mechanisms that regulate the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host cells. I aim to better understand the host cell factors that contribute to M. tuberculosis control as well as the M. tuberculosis factors that this pathogen uses to highjack host cells. To this end, my lab is developing a variety of cutting-edge imaging technologies in high containment combined with various model systems and approaches at the single cell level.

Outside the lab

When not at work, I enjoy most of my time with the family, rediscovering the world through my daughters’ eyes. I believe humankind owes much to fermentation. Before studying Biochemistry, I obtained a degree in Enology in my native Mendoza and worked for some time in a winery; since then I have a long-standing interest in fermentation and wine production/tasting.