• School Radiation Protection Officer
• Member of the exam board (Chemistry)

Studied Biology at the Ludwig-Maximilians Universität in Munich (Germany) and graduated in 1979 (Diploma, Biology). After civil service, worked on my PhD thesis at the Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried (Germany) in the department of ‘Connective Tissue Research’ of Prof. K. Kühn. The thesis focused on novel genes expressed in cartilage (Supervisor: Prof. P.K. Müller) and was finished in 1984 (Dr. rer.nat.). During a period as research scientist at the Sandoz Science Institute (Vienna, Austria), worked on immunological aspects of pharmacologically relevant cytokines. Thereafter, joined the group of Prof. K. Kühn at the Max-Planck Institute in Martinried and focused on various aspects of the genetics and biology of collagen IV and other extracellular matrix. In a number of collaborations with Prof. R. Timpl these studies were extended to other proteins, like perlecan, nidogens or laminins. Established a research group in the Department of ‘Experimental Medicine I’ (Director Prof. K. vonderMark) at the ‘Nikolaus-Fiebiger Zentrum’, a research centre of the Medical Faculty of the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (Erlangen, Germany). Continued with the analysis of ECM proteins, but also started new projects focusing on the protein family of the annexins or human diseases (Osteaoarthritis). During this period, I was teaching mainly at the Medical Faculty where also the degree of  ‘Habilitation’ (Dr. med.habil.; 1997) was received. Joined the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia in 2005.

• 2005-present: Senior Lecturer, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
• 1997-2005:  Privatdozent (apl. Prof.), University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
• 1997: Habilitation (Dr.med.habil.) Medical Faculty, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
• 1992-1997: Research Scientist/Group leader, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
• 1986-1992: Research Assistant, Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
• 1985-1986: Research Scientist, Sandoz-Forschungs-Institut, Wien, Austria
• 1985: Research Assistant, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
• 1984: Dr.rer.nat. (PhD): Biology, University of München, Germany
• 1979: Diploma Biology, University of München, Germany  

 The group is interested in three major topics:
• The analysis of components of the extracellular matrix and the their biological functions in vivo
• The biological functions of the prototype member of the annexin protein family, Annexin A5
• The role of perivascular cells during angiogenesis and regenerative processes in skeletal muscle

Current Research Projects
 

• Analysis of the consequences of the deficiency of the major collagen IV isoform α1.α1.α2(IV) in vivo by the use of knockout mouse models
• Roles of annexin A5 deficiency in knockout mouse models on diverse biological processes, like calcification of cartilage and bone, vascular development and apoptosis
• Analysis of the role of annexin A5 in modulating the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in vivo, the induction of immune reactions and autoimmunity
• In vivo functions of murine pericytes, phenotype analysis and their role in angiogenesis 
• Exploration of the potential capacities of pericytes as stem cells for differentiation to mesenchymal lineages (adipogenic, osteoblastic, chondrogenic) 
• Contributions of pericytes and satellite cells during muscle regeneration in normal tissues and in various muscle diseases

PhD Positions

Click here for current PhD opportunities in Biological Sciences. But feel free to email me to discuss projects outside these areas and alternative sources of funding.