The IUF's major task is to carry out molecular preventive medical research of environmentally-induced disorders.
The main objective is to improve health care with regard to environmental pollution and to develop preventive strategies. The IUF carries out research projects addressing the biological effects that pollutants (in particular particles, non-ionizing radiation and chemicals) have on humans. Environmentally-induced aging processes of the cardiovascular system and the skin as well as environmentally-induced disturbances of the immune system and damages to the brain are in focus.
Based on the scientific competence in the institute these investigations are carried out interdisciplinarily. The IUF bundles scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, immunology, molecular aging research and epidemiology. This interdisciplinary research approach needs experimental models of one or more barrier organs (boundary surface medicine). The impact of environmental factors is mainly investigated in the organ systems skin, lung, cardiovascular system, and brain. Besides in vitro examinations on cultured cells and (partly genuinely at the IUF developed) human 3 dimensional organic model systems, in vivo examinations are conducted in animal models as well as in humans using a specially established research unit for this purpose. Additionally, epidemiological studies are conducted.
At present, the IUF has 12 working groups: 9 chore working groups, 2 liaison groups with the Institute of Clinical Chemistry of the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and 1 liaison group with the chair of Immunology and Environment at the LIMES Institute of the University of Bonn. The IUF is connected to the University of Düsseldorf by joint professorships, the participation in teaching and diverse cooperations.
CV university professor Jean Krutmann, MD
| Scientific education | |
| Studies | Human Medicine: 1979-1985, University of Münster, Germany, Approbation |
| Academic achievements | |
| Habilitation | 1992, Dermatology and venereology, University of Freiburg, Germany, Mentor: Prof. Dr. E. Schöpf |
| Graduation | 1986, Graduation to MD, University of Münster, Germany, Mentor: Prof. Dr. Dr. H. J. Schwanitz |
| Professional development | |
| since 2002 | Director of IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf |
| since 2001 | Professor (C4), Chair for Environmental Medicine at the Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf |
| 1994 - 2001 | Professor (C3, tenure) for Dermatology at the Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Vice Chairmen of the University Hospital for Dermatology, Head: Prof. Dr. T. Ruzicka |
| 1989 - 1994 | Assistant / Senior Physician at the University Hospital for Dermatology, Head: Prof. Dr. E. Schöpf |
| 1988 | Postdoc / DFG stipendiary in the Laboratory for Cell Biology, University Hospital for Dermatology, Austria, Head: Dr. T. A. Luger |
| 1985 - 1987 | Postdoc / Research Associate at the Photoimmunology and Immunodermatology Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Head: C. A. Elmets, MD |
| Other appointments (selection) | |
| Speaker position | since 2012 speaker of the Leibniz Research Alliance “Healthy Ageing” |
| Appointments | Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professor Fellowship (2015), Xu Guang Qi Lecturer, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China (2013), Member of the German National Academy of Sciences (2010), Adjunct and Visiting Professor of the Medical Faculty of the Nagoya City University, Japan (2006), Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, University of Alabama Medical School, Birmingham, AL, USA (1999), Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA (1997) |
| Awards | CE.R.I.E.S. Research Support Award (1998), Oskar-Gans-Award of the German Dermatological Society (1995), Paul-Gerson-Unna-Award of the German Dermatological Society (1993), International Arnold-Rikli-Award for Photobiology (1990), Albrecht-Fleckenstein-Award of the Medical Faculty of the University of Freiburg (1990) |
Further information
For further information visit the IUF's website.