Office of Science & Technology - Introducing Marius Wernig – a “Big Splash” into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Introducing Marius Wernig – a “Big Splash” into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

bridges vol. 22, July 2009 / News from the Network: Austrian Researchers Abroad

By Juliet M. Beverly

Dr. Marius Wernig

"As early as I can remember, there has been music," said Marius Wernig, associate professor of pathology in the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University . Wernig, the principal investigator in the Wernig Laboratory, also at Stanford, has always seemed since his birth to be a man of two places. Born in Innsbruck, he was quickly moved to Munich, Germany, where his father, Anton Wernig, had accepted a position at a Max Planck Institute . Even while living in Munich, Wernig spent all holidays - and any other chance he got - with his family in Austria, either in Innsbruck, his mother's original home, or Carinthia, where his father grew up. During his stays in Carinthia as a young child, Wernig was first introduced to traditional Austrian folk music by listening to his father, uncles, and their wives sing together. Although Wernig can say that his earliest memories were filled with the sounds of music, his memories also played the notes of a future scientist: "Well, I always had a great interest in how the world works, too," said Wernig.

Music vs. Science

The first instrument that Wernig learned to play was the violin, which he enjoyed playing - especially in a group. Later, he learned to play the piano. Seeing that his family had an assortment of different musical instruments in their circle - a cello, played by his younger sister, an accordion, played by his father, and a flute, played by his mother - he decided that they should compose some music that would fit with their mixture of instruments. Eventually, the compositions that Wernig worked on with his family caught the ear of his high school teacher at Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium in Bonn. Wernig's teacher quickly put him in touch with a composition coach, from whom he took lessons. "I learned composing music in a more professional way instead of trying to learn everything on my own, and I learned a lot in a little bit of time," said Wernig about his experience learning composition writing. These lessons really paid off for Wernig, who later went on to premier his compositions in Bonn and Cologne, Germany, and in Vienna, Austria, and also at a chamber opera in the Opera House of Cologne. In 1991, his achievements and work were acknowledged when he won 2nd place in Germany's national composition competition. "You can imagine that you can write a lot of music, but there are not so many people interested in playing it, especially if you're completely unknown," said Wernig. "You're not Beethoven and you're not Stravinsky, so it was so exciting when I had won the competition that they actually organized an orchestra to perform the piece. It was one of the most moving and rewarding things that has happened to me in music."

By this time, Wernig's musical interests began to compete with his interest in science. Even in high school, Wernig said, he always picked science courses like physics and chemistry over anything else offered. One thing was certain: Wernig wanted to go to Vienna to begin his university studies, mostly as a way to "get back to his roots" and be closer to family - and the mountains. It is no surprise that Wernig came to this crossroads: His father, Prof. Anton Wernig, neurophysiologist at the University of Bonn - the same man who first introduced him to music - subtly introduced him to science. "My father never forced anything. He gave all the freedom to do what I wanted. But I think he provided an academic environment so it naturally led me to this fascination with science."

The battleground between the pursuit of a science career versus a music career took place at the University of Vienna. Wernig observed a few composition courses at the University's music conservatory and then a few physics courses. The decision was made: Science won. "It was a difficult decision for me," said Wernig. "I decided to start with physics and not music. In the end, it probably was the right decision. I think music is one of the best things you can participate in, but to live off it is really difficult. You have to make compromises doing music - which may be a little true for a life in science as well."

Marius and Gerlinde Wernig.

Wernig completed his graduate studies in physics at the University of Vienna and ventured into the medical field, studying briefly at the Medical School of the University of Vienna. While at the medical school, he met his future wife, Gerlinde - who lived on the same floor of the dormitory where he also lived. However, living in proximity to one another quickly ended when he decided to continue his medical studies at the Medical School of Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich and Technical University of Munich. The couple went through several years of a long distance relationship: five-hour train rides on the weekends and expensive long distance phone calls. Then Wernig took a residency position in neuropathology and general pathology at the University of Bonn. After a previous failed attempt to move and find a position in Munich, Gerlinde eventually found a position at the University of Bonn and the two were reunited once again. The Wernigs have been married since 2002 and are expecting their first child in the fall (click here to read the introduction of Austrian Scientist Dr. Gerlinde Wernig, Leukemia Research Fellow at Stanford University).

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