Available from WORLD leaders in Cancer Research and Immunology:
Irving L. Weissman
(Stanford University, USA, Nobel candidate for cancer stem cells):
"Robert Eibl came to me ... with a very fascinating finding - he showed a role of integrin alpha4beta1 [=VLA-4] using the adhesion process of experimental metastatic melanoma cells.... I happily agreed ... and have been delighted to watch him develop the project ... to an important set of publishable findings. ... articulate and intelligent scientist. ... I beleive that he is extremely good, and ready to enter ... a beginning research position...."
Please note:
Despite many professors who came from the Weissman-lab, also Nobel prize and the official Nobel equivalent winners, James P. Allison and Eugene C. Butcher (see below!) were in the lab, but also Rossi, the founder of the vaccine company Moderna.
Eugene C. Butcher
(Official Nobel-equivalent/Crafoord prize winner 2004, Stanford University, USA):
".... Robert initiated and independently carried out studies of CD44 and also a4 integrin involvement in metastatic melanoma cell interactions with vascular endothelium under shear, revealing a critical role for a4b1 [=VLA-4] in particular. Irv Weissman, ... feels that Robert's observations represent a significant contribution to the field. Moreover, these studies were pursued with remarkable independence by Robert. ... he clearly has the potential to contribute to our understanding of the metastatic process. Like Irv, I feel his record of independence make him ready for ... independent research position...."
Paul Kleihues
(Director Emeritus IARC / WHO cancer research center):
"... He was able to rapidly acquire new laboratory techniques and exhibeted an unusual depth of conceptual thinking. ... A total of 11 publications resulted from his work in our laboratory... I can fully recommend Dr. Robert Eibl for a position in basic medical research..."
Heinz Höfler
(Director Emeritus Pathology / Technical University of Munich):
" .... his newest and very fascinating set of findings use atomic-force microscopy to detect adhesion between two living cells on the level of single-molecules. This clearly is pioneering work and supports his view of tumor metastasis... I can recommend Dr. Eibl as a highly motivated researcher able to develop independent and important contributions to any field of his choice. ..."
(from a supporting letter to the American Heart Association)
Vincent T. Moy, Ph.D.
(Biophysics, Univ. of Miami, USA) also confirmed my AFM related expertise:
"In particular, the expertise in the AFM technique that he [Robert Eibl, MD] has gained while a member of Dr. Hermann Gaub’s group will be an important asset in his proposed research. To assist Dr. Eibl in achieving his fullest potential [... blablabla snipped]. Dr. Eibl will also be able to consult with collaborators such as Dr. Ronen Alon (Group leader, Immunology, Weizman Institute, Rehovot, Israel; presently Harvard University, Boston), Prof. Dr. Horst Kessler (Head of Organic Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany), Prof. Hermann E. Gaub (Head of Applied Physics, LMU – University of Munich, Germany)."