In memoriam: Andreas Engel

We are deeply saddened by the passing on April 1 of Andreas Engel — an outstanding scientist, a visionary thinker, and a truly remarkable human being.

Andreas was a highly respected figure in the scientific community. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, he shaped the field through his work at the Biozentrum in Basel and later at several leading international institutions. His contributions have left a lasting mark on structural biology and beyond.

What set Andreas apart, however, was not only his scientific excellence, but his enduring curiosity and openness to new ideas. Even at an age when many would choose to step back, Andreas chose to begin again. As a co-founder of cryoWrite, he brought with him not only his deep expertise, but an extraordinary energy and drive to find better solutions and push the boundaries of what is possible. His involvement was a powerful reflection of his lifelong commitment to advancing science.

In a remarkably short time, Andreas played a key role in shaping and realizing the first cryoWriter prototype. Today, this system is already in use with multiple customers, and its further development is supported by an Innosuisse Swiss Innovation Project (SIP) grant — a testament to the strength of the vision he helped bring to life.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Andreas was an inspiring, warm, and deeply human presence. He had a rare ability to connect with people across generations — engaging, encouraging, and energizing those around him. His enthusiasm was contagious, his curiosity genuine, and his kindness ever-present. Over the years, he built not only a remarkable scientific legacy, but also a wide and cherished network of friends, colleagues, and collaborators.

Within the cryoWrite team, Andreas was more than a co-founder — he was a source of inspiration, guidance, and joy. His thoughtful, generous, and positive spirit shaped our culture in profound ways.

He leaves behind a great void. We will miss his warmth, his encouragement, and his unwavering enthusiasm for discovery.

We are grateful for the time we had with him, and we will carry his spirit forward in everything we do.

— The cryoWrite Team