Thorsten Pfirrmann

Biography

Thorsten Pfirrmann is an enthusiastic scientist and researcher who wants to understand the wonders of nature in molecular detail. He initially studied Technical Biology at the University of Stuttgart and at the John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra, Australia. In 2002, he intensified his keen interest in research in Professor Wolf's laboratory in Stuttgart in order to complete his doctorate. In 2006, he moved north for postdoctoral studies and worked first in Professor Masucci's lab at the Karolinska Institute and later in Prof. Ljungdahl's lab at Stockholm University. Since 2011, he has headed his research group, which focuses on protein degradation and molecular ageing processes, at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Since October 2020, he is Professor of Biochemistry at the Health and Medical University in Potsdam.
Thorsten Pfirrmann has a strong focus on ubiquitin- as well as on primary cilia-regulated processes. Some ubiquitin-mediated degradation processes are essential for the survival of cells and organisms and are therefore highly conserved in evolutionary terms. Since 2016, Thorsten Pfirrmann has been part of the Research Training Group ProMoAge (GRK2155) with various working groups in Jena and Halle, which investigate different aspects of ageing in an interdisciplinary manner. Thorsten Pfirrmann's research focuses on various aspects of intracellular protein degradation via the ubiquitin system. Among other things, this takes on a cellular regulatory function by marking proteins that are not required and directing them towards degradation. Some ubiquitin-mediated degradation processes are essential for the survival of cells and living organisms and are therefore highly conserved in evolutionary terms. The so-called Gid complex is one of these components and was discovered and first described by Thorsten Pfirrmann and colleagues in baker's yeast. Since then, one of Thorsten Pfirrmann's main focuses has been to further investigate the function of the Gid complex in humans and in model organisms. He and his team were able to show that their lifespan is extended by as much as a third caused by gene mutations in GID complex genes.
Thorsten Pfirrmann has been supervising students of biochemistry and medicine with great dedication for almost 20 years and has accompanied countless Bachelor's, Master's, diploma and PhD students on their way to successfully completing their studies.