Trevor Slater Awardee
Leopold Flohe
Education
1957-1959: Universities of Cologne and Heidelberg (Philosophy)
1959-1968: University of Tübingen (Medicine), Staatsexamen 1968
Medical Doctor 1968
1962-1967: University of Tübingen (Biochemistry), Diplom 1967
1971:University of Tübingen, Venia legendi in Biochemistry
1974: Bartholomews' Hospital, London: Training in Clinical Pharmacology
Appointments
1968-1971:University of Tübingen, Dept. Physiological Chemistry, Scientist (Assistant)
1971-1973: ibidem, Senior Scientist (Oberassistent)
1974-1979: University of Tübingen, Professor of Biochemistry (apl. Prof.)
1974-1976: Grünenthal GmbH, Stolberg / Aachen, Head of Section Pharmacotherapeutics
1976-1990: ibidem, Director Research and Development
1979-1990: University of Aachen (RWTH), Professor of Biochemistry (apl.Prof.)
1990-1995: Technical University of Braunschweig: Professor of Biotechnology and Biochemistry
1990-1995: Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung (GBF/HZI), Scientific Director
1996: University of California at Berkeley, Visiting Professor
1996-2003: Technical University of Braunschweig: Professor of Biochemistry
2002-2010: MOLISA GmbH, CEO
2008-present: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Magdeburg (Guest Professor) and Chairman of COST Action CM0801.
Professional Organisations: GBM, FEBS, SFRR, AAAS, ASBMB.
Honours and Awards
1962-1968: Fellow of Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
1973: Award of the Anna-Monika-Foundation (for basic research in endogenous depression)
1985: Claudius-Galenus-Preis (for production of urokinase by recombinant technology)
1997: Honorary Degree (Dr. h. c.), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (for achievements in parasitology)
1997: Klaus Schwarz Commemorative Medal (for pioneering in selenium research)
1998:"Paper of the year" award (to P.H. student E. Nogoceke for discovery of the trypanosomatid peroxidase system); Science and Humanity Prize, Oxygen Club of California (for life time achievements)
2006:Trevor Frank Slater Award and Gold Medal, SFRR International (for life time achievements)
Redox Pioneer #3, Antioxid Redox Signal 2010.
Extramural Activities: Editorial Board, Biological Chemistry; Co-Founder, Axxima Pharmaceutical AG, Martinsried; Founder, MOLISA GmbH, Magdeburg.
Major Scientific Achievements
First verification of a selenoprotein (glutathione peroxidase) in animals (1973)
First detection of superoxide radical production by the respiratory chain of mitochondria (1974)
Development of Tramadol, now best selling analgesic (1978)
Sequencing, cloning, development, and production of urokinase/pro-urokinase (1982-89)
Elucidation of the structure, gene, catalytic mechanism and role in spermatogenesis of the selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (1992-2003)
Elucidation of trypanothione-mediated hydroperoxide reduction in parasitic trypanosomatids (1997-2006)
Hydroperoxide metabolism in mycobacteria (2003).
Five Selected Publications (out of >200)
Brigelius-Flohé, R., and Flohé, L., Basic Principles and Emerging Concepts in the Redox Control of Transcription Factors (Comprehensive invited review). Antioxid Redox Signal 2011 (doi:10.1089/ars.2010.3534)
Flohé, L., Changing Paradigms in Thiology: From Antioxidant Defense Toward Redox Regulation (Invited review). Meth. Enzymol. 2010, 473, 1-39
Flohé, L., In Search of Trypanocidal Drugs. In: Antiparasitic and Antibacterial Drug Discovery (P. M. Selzer, ed.). Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 2009, pp. 211-226
Flohé, L. and Harris, J. R. (eds), Peroxiredoxin Systems. Subcellular Biochemistry, Vol.44. Springer, New York 2007, pp.1-389, in particular pp. 1-25, 83-114 and 207-218
Comini, M., Menge, U., Wissing, J. and Flohé, L., Trypanothione Synthesis in Crithidia Revisited. J Biol Chem 2005. 280: 6850-6860
Ursini, F.; Heim, S.; Kiess, M.; Maiorino, M.; Roveri, A.; Wissing, J.; Flohé, L., Dual function of the selenoprotein PHGPx during sperm maturation. Science 1999, 285, (5432), 1393-1396.