Manuel Matzinger, Senior Core Scientist & Deputy Head of the Proteomics Tech Hub of IMP, IMBA and GMI, has been awarded the Society Medal of the Austrian Proteomics and Metabolomics Association (APMA). The medal honors his pioneering contributions to single-cell proteomics, particularly a recent publication in Nature Methods. At the same conference, Matzinger was also elected to the APMA board.
In recognition of his pioneering contributions to single-cell proteomics, Manuel Matzinger has been awarded the Society Medal of the Austrian Proteomics and Metabolomics Association (APMA). The honor is presented annually to an early-career researcher within ten years of their PhD for a significant and innovative publication in proteomics, metabolomics, or bioinformatics. Along with the medal, the recipient is invited to deliver an honorary lecture at the APMA’s annual meeting.
Matzinger’s award-winning study, published in Nature Methods, presents a powerful new workflow that significantly expands the scope of single-cell proteomics. Using ultra-sensitive and highly optimized mass spectrometry technology, the team achieved an unprecedented depth of coverage—quantifying more than 5,000 proteins in a single cell. This level of resolution allows researchers to study cellular heterogeneity with unmatched precision, offering insights into how cells of the same type can differ in function, behavior, and state.
The method was applied to lung cancer cells and to in vitro models of early human development. By examining proteomic profiles, the researchers could determine the cell cycle stage of individual cells and identify molecular differences between naïve human pluripotent stem cells and trophectoderm-like cells. These findings align proteomic signatures with transcriptomic data and open new avenues to study pathogenesis, cell fate, and early embryogenesis.
“I feel truly honored to receive this award,” said Manuel Matzinger. “Single-cell proteomics has matured into a powerful tool in the life sciences, especially when combined with other omics to understand development, disease, and drug responses. This progress wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and brilliance of the Proteomics Tech Hub team and its alumni at the Vienna BioCenter.”
About Manuel Matzinger
Manuel Matzinger pursued his studies in Chemistry at the University of Vienna and the University of Bergen, Norway. He earned his PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry, focusing on transcription factors activated by oxidative stress. In 2020, he joined the Proteomics Tech Hub of IMP, IMBA and GMI as a postdoctoral researcher. During this time Manuel co-conceptualized and co-authored several successful grant applications, including FWF grants and an FFG infrastructure grant, which facilitated the acquisition of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers. Additionally, he plays a key role in organizing the annual European Symposium on Single Cell Proteomics. His research centers on developing advanced analytical techniques in crosslinking mass spectrometry and ultra-low-input proteomics. Since November 2024, Manuel has served as a Senior Core Scientist and Deputy Head of the Proteomics Technology Hub of IMP, IMBA and GMI.
About the Austrian Proteomics and Metabolomics Association (APMA)
The Austrian Proteomics and Metabolomics Association brings together researchers working in the areas of proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and bioinformatics. Through conferences, networking opportunities, and awards, the APMA promotes collaboration and innovation in these rapidly evolving fields. The Society Medal is the association’s highest recognition for early-career researchers.