Pioneers in Dermatology and Venereology: An interview with Professor Thomas Krieg

Photo credit: Markus Scholz for the Leopoldina Born in 1949 Current position Professor (emeritus), Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne 1974–1975 M.D. thesis Pharmacology, Free Berlin 1967–1973 Medical School, 1991 (C4/W3) 1984 (C2) 1983 Habilitation Dermatology and Venereology (O. Braun-Falco), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich 1975 Dr. med., 2019-present Vice President, National Academy Sciences, 2017-present Professor, 2011–2019 Dean, Faculty, 1991–2017 Chairman, Dermatology, 2001–2011 Prorector Research, 1995–2003 Director, Center Molecular Medicine 1986–1991 Ludwig-Maximilians University, 1984–1985 Visiting scientist (Heisenberg fellow), Laboratory Carcinogenesis & Tumour Promotion (Stuart Yuspa, Dennis Roop), Cancer Institute Branch (Stephen Katz) Dental Research (George Martin), NIH, Bethesda 1980–1984 Residency 1979 Postdoctoral training, Cell Genetics (Nils Ringertz), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden 1975–1979 Assistant, Dept. Connective Tissue (Klaus Kühn, Rupert Timpl, Peter Müller), Max-Planck Biochemistry, Martinsried 2022 Albrecht von Haller – Medaille 2018 Nekam medal, Hungarian Dermatological Society 2017 Paul Gerson Unna medal International League Societies award 2012 honoris causa, Lund 2005 Honorary Fellow, Royal College Physicians, London 1999 Semmelweis Budapest research A.v. Humboldt Foundation (together with Roop) Heisenberg fellowship 1982 Bill Reed award, European Otto Hahn 1978 Gottron Just (Dermatology Genetics) 1977 Heinz Karger prize (Molecular Biology Metabolic Diseases) Journal Investigative Dermatology: My way into dermatology was result serendipity, as I have outlined an editorial JID (J Invest Dermatol 137, 1395–1397, 2017). grandfather a physician, some his brothers also decided to study medicine. A few even pursued academic career field. Therefore, there already history MDs my family, then, father became dermatologist. This, however, not positive incentive since recall many stories about diseases complicated names, where cause remained unclear, only symptomatic treatment available. These accounts left me impression that scientific discipline but rather based on trial error. This view did change much during medical studies Vienna. However, being very interested biology genetics, ended up laboratory work MD thesis. established first connection connective tissue research. It turned out be decisive step brought contact Klaus Kühn at MPI Biochemistry Munich. milestone subsequent decisions spend long postdoctoral period For 4 years, numerous prominent scientists field research, both internationally. spent year postdoc bench together George Martin, who had just arrived from NIH sabbatical Munich, he teaching basics biochemistry. Many those around world close friends were helpful most career. main focus this inborn disorders human genetics. by chance, introduced Stefania Jablonska, then Braun-Falco, time incorporating department. So, finally, resident department started own independent group. found university clinic's hierarchical structure somehow difficult handle after coming more open atmosphere advanced MPI. complete residency quickly go fresh start Roop, Stuart Martin Stephen Katz. The training obtained these excellent laboratories tremendous help setting direction, later Cologne. community (with Müller Timpl) Steve Katz, Roop Yuspa NIH. teacher Günther Goerz short practical Düsseldorf, acquired knowledge Michael Dorn Helmut Wolff would like emphasize friendly strategic discussions Krane Harvard, Raul Fleischmajer Charles Lapiere. Very say, it is combination people mentioned above. 1. Krieg T, Langer I, Gerstmeier H, Keller J, Mensing G, Timpl R. Type III collagen aminopropeptide levels serum patients progressive systemic scleroderma. J Dermatol. 1986;87:788–791. 2. LeRoy EC, Black C, Medsger TA Jr, R, Rowell N, Jablonska S, Wollheim F. Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): classification, subsets pathogenesis. Rheumatol. 1988;15:202–205. 3. Langholz O, Rockel D, Mauch Kozlowska E, Bank Eckes B. Collagen collagenase gene expression three-dimensional lattices are differentially regulated alpha 1 beta 2 integrins. Biol. 1995;131:1903–1915. 4. Gabrielli A, Avvedimento EV, T. Scleroderma. N Engl Med. 2009;360:1989–2003. 5. Schönborn K, Willenborg Schulz JN, Imhof Eming SA, Quondamatteo F, Brinckmann Niehoff Paulsson M, Koch B, Role XII skin homeostasis repair. 2020;94:57–76. Yes, served president ADF, ESDR, ETRS, German Society, head Cologne, Vice-President Dean faculty University. am currently Leopoldina. To establish novel clinical basic area international visibility realize how ineffective time-consuming bureaucracy administration can universities. strongly political influence activities. taxi ride New Orleans airport hotel attend SID meeting—with one-legged driver, overlooked hit barrier parking lot, causing vehicle lose back door while driving hotel. attract best clinician-scientists dermatology. integrate development molecular techniques, bioinformatics artificial intelligence (AI) new disease classification therapy its unique role amongst other disciplines. Always inquisitive persistent asking questions; concentrate relevant problems. biology, dogs, horses. favourite writer next group author paper Nature reporting our work. Chopin. Monet. *Note: Pioneers interview conceived conducted Johannes Ring.