Research

Major Scientific Interest: clinical dermatology, autoimmune diseases, tumor diseases, impaired wound healing, cell-matrix interactions, fibrosis, mouse models, inflammatory mechanisms

Thomas Krieg is a dermatologist. His research focuses on impaired wound healing, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory mechanisms, and connective tissue research. He identifies molecular mechanisms of chronic wounds and fibrotic diseases and is working on new therapeutic approaches.

The underlying causes of chronic wounds and fibrotic reactions are not yet fully understood. Thomas Krieg and his team identify risk factors and molecular mechanisms of chronic wounds, scarring, and fibrosis such as scleroderma. All these diseases lead to chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the skin or other organs, which are often highly pronounced and are very difficult to treat. Using mouse models, his research group has established that activated fibroblasts and specific cells of the immune system (macrophages) play a key role in these processes. The scientists were able to identify complex cellular interactions in fibrotic skin diseases and highlight their importance for scar formation.

The treatment of chronic wounds and fibrotic diseases including their associated complications is a major medical and socio-economic problem. Thomas Krieg aims to identify processes responsible for degenerative changes in the skin which thus inhibit the normal healing process. His group utilizes a variety of experimental approaches for this purpose. Based on experiments with cell cultures, transgenic mice are investigated as model organisms.

With his research, Thomas Krieg seeks to develop innovative therapies for the treatment of chronic wounds and fibrosis to limit scarring as much as possible and restore normal tissue functions.

Career

• since 2017 Senior Professor, University of Cologne
• 1991-2017 Professor (C4/W3) and Chairman, Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne
• 1986-1991 Professor (C2) Dermatology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich
• 1984-1986 Visiting Scientist (Heisenberg fellow), Laboratory of Carcinogenesis & Tumor
• 1983-1984 Visiting Scientist, National Cancer Institute Bethesda (NIH), USA
• 1982 Habilitation for Dermatology and Venereology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich
• 1980-1984 Residency in Dermatology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich
• 1979 Postdoctoral training, Institute for Cell Genetics (Nils Ringertz), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• 1975-1979 Research assistant, Department of Connective Tissue, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried
• 1975 Medical Dissertation in Pharmacology
• 1973 Doctorate
• 1967-1973 Medical School, Free University Berlin

Functions

• since 2019 Vice President, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 2016-2019 Speaker, Leopoldina class III (Medicine), German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 2011-2019 Dean, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne
• 2011-2015 Senator Internal Medicine, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 2002-2011 Chair, German Network Systemic Scleroderma
• 2002-2010 Member, Advisory Board Deutsche Krebshilfe
• 2001-2011 Prorector for Research, University of Cologne
• 1995-2003 Director, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne
• since 1994 Extraordinary Member of the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association
• Thomas Krieg was the editor of the “Journal for Skin and Venereal Diseases”, section editor of “Investigative Dermatology” and European editor of “Wound Repair and Regeneration” and is now principal deputy editor of the “Journal for Investigative Dermatology”.

Projects

• since 2016 Vice Speaker, DFG Project 829 “Molekulare Grundlagen der Regulation der Homöostase der Haut”
• 2009-2016 Speaker, DFG Project 829 “Molekulare Grundlagen der Regulation der Homöostase der Haut”
• 2003-2007 Speaker, DFG Project 589 “Molekulare Grundlage struktureller und funktioneller Barrieren in der Haut”
• 1996-2003 Speaker, DFG Research Group 265

Honours and Memberships

• 2022 Albrecht von Haller Medal, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
• 2018 Nekam medal, Hungarian Dermatological Society
• 2018 Honorary Senator, University of Cologne
• 2017 Paul Gerson Unna medal, Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft
• 2017 International League Dermatological Societies Award
• 2012 Dr. honoris causa, Lund University, Sweden
• 2005 Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK
• 1999 Dr. honoris causa, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
• since 1997 Member, National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 1991 Max-Planck Research Award (together with Dennis Roop)
• 1984 Heisenberg Fellowship
• 1982 Bill Reed Award, European Society for Dermatological Research
• 1979 Otto Hahn medal of the Max-Planck Society (Howard Green, Stephen Krane)
• 1978 Ulmer Dermatologie Prize (formerly Gottron Just award)
• 1977 Dr. Heinz Karger Prize
• Honorary Member of the American Academy of Dermatology, of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venereology, of the Baltic Association of Dermatovenereologists, of the Czech Dermatovenereology Society, of the European Society for Dermatological Research, of the Hungarian Dermatological Society, of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology and of the Polish Dermatological Society.