Mark Kotter

Mark Kotter
Born	Mark Reinhard Kotter Calgary, Canada
Nationality	Austrian, Canadian
Alma mater	University of Graz, University of Cambridge
Known for	cell programming, degenerative cervical myelopathy
Scientific career
Fields	Biology, Neurosciences, Medicine
Institutions	University of Cambridge, bit.bio, clock.bio, Myelopathy.org, Meatable
Website	mark-kotter.medium.com

Mark Kotter (born 1971) is a Canadian neurosurgeon, biologist, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of the biotechnology company bit.bio and the co-founder of the cultured meat company Meatable.

Early life and education

Kotter was born in Canada and raised in Austria, Germany, and Australia. He studied medicine in Graz and earned a PhD in stem cell biology from the University of Cambridge. He completed postgraduate medical training in Berlin and Vienna and later worked at the Max Planck Institute. ^[1]

Career

Kotter has made contributions to the importance of macrophages for brain regeneration, ^[2] His work on cell programming includes the development of opti-ox (optimized inducible overexpression). ^[3]

In 2016, Kotter founded it as Elpis Biomed, the company's name later changed to bit.bio to give a clearer indication of its function in cell coding: "bit" refers to the smallest building block in coding, while "bio" refers to the live cells that are being reprogrammed. ^[4]

In 2019, Kotter co-founded the charity Myelopathy.org to provide information on Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy. ^[5] In 2018, Kotter co-founded the cultured meat company Meatable with Daan Luining. ^[6]

References

1. Kotter, M. R.; Pereira, C. F. (2024). "Fast-Forwarding Cellular Reprogramming An Interview with Dr. Mark Kotter" . Cellular Reprogramming. 26 (1): 2–7. doi:10.1089/cell.2024.29111.mk. PMID   38381404.
2. Kotter, Mark R.; Setzu, Anna; Sim, Fraser J.; Van Rooijen, Nico; Franklin, Robin J.M. (2001). "Macrophage depletion impairs oligodendrocyte remyelination following lysolecithin-induced demyelination". Glia. 35 (3): 204–212. doi:10.1002/glia.1085. PMID   11494411.
3. Spencer, Diana (August 1, 2023). "bit.bio secures foundational US patent for opti-ox". Drug Discovery World (DDW).
4. "Proactive - Proactive financial news: fast, accessible, and actionable articles and videos for the global investment audience. - Companies". Proactiveinvestors UK.
5. "Cambridge researchers launch charity to tackle 'slow motion spinal cord injury' affecting up to a million UK adults | University of Cambridge". University of Cambridge. May 7, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
6. Brodwin, Erin (September 28, 2018). "A new lab-grown meat startup says it's overcome a key barrier to making meat without slaughter". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.