Research

Main areas of research: Neurobiology of circadian systems, non-visual photoreception, role of peptidergic and lipidergic, impact of the circadian system on pathophysiological processes and disease, neurodegeneration and -regeneration

Horst-Werner Korf investigates neuroendocrine and neuronal circuits of the circadian system that generates an endogenous rhythm, entrains this rhythm to the photoperiod (length of day and night), and transmits it to the body periphery.

He has obtained widely recognized results on the innervation and cell biology of the pineal organ that rhythmically synthesizes the neurohormone melatonin, an important hand of the biological clock. Together with his coworkers he has made important contributions to the analysis of molecular mechanisms that control the biosynthesis of melatonin, convey the melatonin signal to endocrine cells and entrain the endogenous rhythm to the ambient photoperiod. His current research is focussed on lipid (endocannabinoid) signaling in neuroendocrine circuits and the circadian system.

Career

• since 2018 Professor for Anatomy, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
• 2010-2017 Director, Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut (SCI), Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany
• 2006-2017 Member of the Administration of the Dr. Senckenbergische Stiftung, Frankfurt/Main,
• 1995-2017 Chairman, Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main
• 1990-2017 Full Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Director of the Institute of Anatomy II, Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main
• 1987-1990 Visiting Fellow and Visiting Scientist, Section Neuroendocrionology (Dr. D.C. Klein), NIH, Bethesda, USA
• 1986 Habilitation for Anatomy with Prof. A. Oksche, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Germany
• 1979-1990 Research assistant and lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology (Prof. A. Oksche), Justus-Liebig-University Gießen
• 1976-1979 Intern and Resident in diverse hospitals
• 1976 Promotion Dr. med. (Prof. A. Oksche), Justus-Liebig-University Gießen
• 1970-1976 Study of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen

Functions

• 2014-2018 President, European Society for Comparative Endocrinology
• 2010-2014 Vice President of the European Society for Comparative Endocrinology (Secretary Treasurer 2004-2010)
• since 2009 Secretary/Treasurer of the International Federation of Comparative  Endocrinological Societies
• 2006-2007 Acting President of the Anatomische Gesellschaft (Society of Anatomy, President 2006-2010)
• 2005-2009 President of the European Biological Rhythms Society
• 2002-2005 President of the European Pineal and Biological Rhythms Society
• 1997-1999 Dean of Student´s Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany
• since 1995 Member of the Council of the Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Projects

• 2008-2011 Member of the LOEWE Research Programme “Lipid Signaling Research Center Frankfurt (LiFF)”
• 1997-2003 Member of the Board of the DFG Research Traning Group “Neuronal Plasticity”
• 1996-2004 Member of the Board of the DFG Priority Programme “Functional and adaptive mechanisms in circadian Systems”
• 1993-2005 Vice-Coordinator and Coordinator of the DFG Collaborative Research Center 269 “Molecular and cellullar bases of neuronal organisation processes“

Honours and Memberships

• since 2023 Honorary Member of the European Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ESCE)
• 2017 Johannes Ariens Kappers Medal of the European Biological Rhythms Society
• since 2003 Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina