Ralf Weiskirchen

Ralf Weiskirchen was born on February 2, 1964 in Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine Westphalia (Germany). After his school education he studied Biology and made his PhD with distinction at the University of Cologne (Germany). Thereafter, he worked as a Research Associate in the Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Innsbruck (Austria). Back in Germany, he habilitated at the RWTH University Hospital Aachen and became Professor in 2007. Actually, he is head of the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry at the RWTH University.

Education and Degrees:
(1970-1974) Primary school, Katholische Grundschule in Bergisch Gladbach (NRW)
(1974-1983) Secondary school, Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium in Bergisch Gladbach
(1983-1989) University of Cologne, Studies in Biology
(1988-1989) Diploma thesis at the Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Cologne
(1989-1990) Alternative service at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne
(1990-1994) Doctoral thesis (PhD) at the Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne
(1994) PhD thesis (summa cum laude)
(2001) Habilitation and Venia legendi in Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Biology
(2007) Professor assignment

Professional Positions:
(1988-1989) Student assistant at the Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Cologne
(1989-1990) Research assistant at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne
(1990-1993) Scientific research assistant, Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne
(1994-1999) Scientific staff member (Post-Doc), Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Innsbruck (Austria)
(1999-2007) Staff member, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Aachen
(since 2007) Professor appointment within the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Section Molecular Pathobiochemistry and Experimental Gene Therapy
(since 2014) Head of the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry

Main Research Areas:
- Functional analysis of PDGF and TGF-beta signaling in hepatic fibrogenesis
- Development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver fibrosis
- Characterisation of novel animal models for the study of organ fibrosis
- Transcriptional targeting of hepatic stellate cells
- Functional and structural analysis of LIM domain proteins (e.g. CRP2)
- Development of novel, gene-based tests for analysis fibrosis progression and predisposition
- Adenoviral expression technology

Most Cited Publications:
Roles of TGF-beta in hepatic fibrosis
Authors:  Gressner, AM; Weiskirchen, R; Breitkopf, K; Dooley, S 
Published: 2002 in Frontiers in Bioscience
DOI: 10.2741/GRESSNER

Modern pathogenetic concepts of liver fibrosis suggest stellate cells and TGF-beta as major players and therapeutic targets
Authors:  Gressner, A. M.; Weiskirchen, R. 
Published: 2006 in Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
DOI: 10.1111/J.1582-4934.2006.TB00292.X

Hepatic Recruitment of the Inflammatory Gr1(+) Monocyte Subset Upon Liver Injury Promotes Hepatic Fibrosis
Authors:  Karlmark, Karlin Raja; Weiskirchen, Ralf; Zimmermann, Henning W.; ...  Tacke, Frank
Published: 2009 in Hepatology
DOI: 10.1002/HEP.22950

Ito cells are liver-resident antigen-presenting cells for activating T cell responses
Authors:  Winau, Florian; Hegasy, Guido; Weiskirchen, Ralf; ...  Kaufmann, Stefan H. E.
Published: 2007 in Immunity
DOI: 10.1016/J.IMMUNI.2006.11.011

Functional Contribution of Elevated Circulating and Hepatic Non-Classical CD14(+)CD16(+) Monocytes to Inflammation and Human Liver Fibrosis
Authors:  Zimmermann, Henning W.; Seidler, Sebastian; Nattermann, Jacob; ...  Tacke, Frank
Published: 2010 in Plos One
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0011049