Curriculum Vitae
1968 - 1973 Studies in chemistry (diploma), Philipps University, Marburg (Germany)
1973 - 1976 PhD thesis: Plant peroxisomal membrane proteins at the
Institute of Biochemistry, Philipps University, Marburg
1976 - 1978 Post-doctoral Fellow (DAAD) with Prof. R.A. Capaldi, University of Oregon, Eugene (USA)
1978 - 1983 Research Associate, Biocenter, University of Basel (Switzerland)
1983 Habilitation in Biochemistry, University of Basel
1983 - 1992 Assistant Professor, Institute of Biochemistry, Medical University of Lübeck (Germany)
since 1992 Professor (C3) of Biochemistry,
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Biocenter, Goethe University, Frankfurt
Molecular Genetics
The research interest of the group focusses on membrane proteins, in particular electron transport complexes of the respiratory chain, using bacteria as simple model systems. Structure/function relationships in cytochrome complexes are studied, using current methods of site-directed mutagenesis and enzyme characterization to learn about (i) redox and energy transduction properties of such enzymes and (ii) their redox cofactor insertion.
Three-dimensional structure of the Paracoccus denitrificans aa3 cytochrome c oxidase (a thin section of the lipid bilayer illustrates the membrane incorporation). Subunits I, II, III and IV are shown in green, yellow, iceblue and magenta, respectively (for details see Iwata et al., 1995).
Electron transfer chain in Paracoccus denitrificans