Alexander Pozhitkov, Ph.D., graduated from the Moscow State University with an M. Sc. in chemistry and molecular biology in 1998. His master’s thesis was on the detection of microorganisms by biochips using 16S rRNA. In 2003, Alexander earned his doctorate degree from the Albertus Magnus University of Cologne (Germany), focusing on the physical chemistry of immobilized DNA oligonucleotides for the purpose of detection and quantification of specific RNA targets. He also conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Washington (Seattle), studying the interaction between microorganisms and implant materials. In Prof. Pichiorri’s lab, Dr. Pozhitkov has established and been maintaining the informatic infrastructure for the ongoing clinical trials. Also, he has been developing atomic force microscopy protocols to investigate cellular micromechanics.