World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Bernd Nilius

Bernd Nilius

Award Badge
Biology and Biochemistry
Belgium
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
138
Citations
66291
World Ranking
305
National Ranking
5

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Belgium Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Belgium Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Belgium Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Belgium Leader Award
  • 1990 - Member of Academia Europaea
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

Overview

Bernd Nilius is affiliated with KU Leuven in Belgium and is active in research across several interconnected fields. Their work primarily spans the disciplines of Neuroscience, Medicine, and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Within these broader areas, the main subfields include Sensory Systems, Molecular Biology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Physiology.

The research topics frequently addressed by Nilius focus extensively on Ion Channels and Receptors, with additional attention to Herbal Medicine Research Studies, Ion Channel Regulation and Function, Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research, Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms, and Connexins and Lens Biology.

Nilius has coauthored multiple publications with recurring collaborators, including Shunhui Wei, See Wee Low, Ping Liao, Charlene Priscilla Poore, and Nathaniel T. Blair.

Publication venues where Nilius has frequently contributed include:

  • IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology CITE (6 publications)
  • Scientific Reports (2 publications)
  • Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
  • European Heart Journal
  • Biomedicines

Representative recent papers authored or coauthored by Bernd Nilius encompass:

  • Comparison of Anti-oncotic Effect of TRPM4 Blocking Antibody in Neuron, Astrocyte and Vascular Endothelial Cell Under Hypoxia (2020, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology)
  • TRPM4 inhibition by meclofenamate suppresses Ca2+-dependent triggered arrhythmias (2022, European Heart Journal)
  • BH4 activates CaMKK2 and rescues the cardiomyopathic phenotype in rodent models of diabetes (2020, Life Science Alliance)
  • TRPM4 Blocking Antibody Protects Cerebral Vasculature in Delayed Stroke Reperfusion (2023, Biomedicines)
  • Development and characterization of a monoclonal antibody blocking human TRPM4 channel (2021, Scientific Reports)

Nilius's work frequently involves the study of ion channel function and regulation, including development and characterization of molecular tools such as monoclonal antibodies targeting specific channels like TRPM4.

Throughout their career, Nilius has been recognized by academic societies, notably as a Member of Academia Europaea since 1990 and as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization.

Best Publications

  • Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channels in Disease

    Bernd Nilius;Grzegorz Owsianik;Thomas Voets;John A. Peters

  • The principle of temperature-dependent gating in cold- and heat-sensitive TRP channels

    Thomas Voets;Guy Droogmans;Ulrich Wissenbach;Annelies Janssens

  • Anandamide and arachidonic acid use epoxyeicosatrienoic acids to activate TRPV4 channels

    Hiroyuki Watanabe;Joris Vriens;Jean Prenen;Guy Droogmans

  • Ion channels and their functional role in vascular endothelium.

    Bernd Nilius;Guillaume Droogmans

  • A novel type of cardiac calcium channel in ventricular cells.

    Bernd Nilius;P Hess;J B Lansman;R W Tsien

  • Calcium Absorption Across Epithelia

    Joost G. J. Hoenderop;Bernd Nilius;René J. M. Bindels

  • The transient receptor potential family of ion channels

    Bernd Nilius;Grzegorz Owsianik

  • TRP channels: an overview.

    Stine Falsig Pedersen;Grzegorz Owsianik;Bernd Nilius

  • Heat-evoked Activation of TRPV4 Channels in a HEK293 Cell Expression System and in Native Mouse Aorta Endothelial Cells

    Hiroyuki Watanabe;Joris Vriens;Suk H. Suh;Christopher D. Benham

  • Cell swelling, heat, and chemical agonists use distinct pathways for the activation of the cation channel TRPV4.

    Joris Vriens;Hiroyuki Watanabe;Annelies Janssens;Guillaume Droogmans

  • Lack of an endothelial store-operated Ca2+ current impairs agonist-dependent vasorelaxation in TRP4-/- mice.

    Marc Freichel;Suk Hyo Suh;Alexander Pfeifer;Ulli Schweig

  • TRPM6 forms the Mg2+ influx channel involved in intestinal and renal Mg2+ absorption.

    Thomas Voets;Bernd Nilius;Susan Hoefs;Annemiete W.C.M. van der Kemp

  • TRPA1 acts as a cold sensor in vitro and in vivo

    Yuji Karashima;Karel Talavera;Wouter Everaerts;Annelies Janssens

  • Activation of TRPV4 Channels (hVRL-2/mTRP12) by Phorbol Derivatives

    Hiroyuki Watanabe;John B. Davis;Darren Smart;Jeff C. Jerman

  • Permeation and selectivity of TRP channels.

    Grzegorz Owsianik;Karel Talavera;Thomas Voets;Bernd Nilius

  • TRPM3 Is a Nociceptor Channel Involved in the Detection of Noxious Heat

    Joris Vriens;Grzegorz Owsianik;Thomas Hofmann;Stephan E. Philipp

  • Bimodal Action of Menthol on the Transient Receptor Potential Channel TRPA1

    Yuji Karashima;Nils Damann;Jean Prenen;Karel Talavera

  • Heat activation of TRPM5 underlies thermal sensitivity of sweet taste

    Karel Talavera;Keiko Yasumatsu;Thomas Voets;Guy Droogmans

  • Mechanisms of calcium channel modulation by β-adrenergic agents and dihydropyridine calcium agonists

    R W Tsien;B P Bean;P Hess;J B Lansman

  • Polyvariant mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator genes. The polymorphic (Tg)m locus explains the partial penetrance of the T5 polymorphism as a disease mutation.

    Harry Cuppens;Wei Lin;Martine Jaspers;B Costes

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Earning a degree in Biology or Biochemistry opens up pathways in healthcare, research, and allied sciences. Today, an increasing number of students are pursuing flexible online programs to enhance their qualifications or pivot careers. A popular option is a phd in healthcare management online, which can lead to executive roles in hospitals, research institutions, or government agencies.

For individuals interested in clinical practice or pharmaceuticals, some universities offer online pharmd programs for non pharmacists. These programs are designed for those without a pharmacy background, providing a direct route toward earning a professional doctorate in this growing field.

Those passionate about human physiology, fitness, or rehabilitation will benefit from exploring an exercise science degree online accredited program. Similarly, a kinesiology online degree prepares graduates for roles in coaching, wellness programming, and movement science research.

With these diverse online study options, students can tailor their learning experience to fit their interests and career ambitions in the biosciences.

Best Scientists Citing Bernd Nilius

Trending Scientists