Theo Wallimann

Portrait

Theo Wallimann (born October 13, 1946 in Alpnach, Obwalden, Switzerland) was a research group leader and Adjunct-Professor at the Institute of Cell Biolog' (from 1981-2008), Biology Department, ETH-Zurich, Switzerland. Subsequently, this latter Institute was relocated into a new building at ETH-Hoenggerberg, Zurich, and renamed Institute of Molecular Health Science[1] of the ETH Zurich.[2]

In 1975, Wallimann completed his PhD Dissertation on "M-line-bound Creatine Kinase and Myofibrillar Structure"[3] in the laboratory of Prof. Hans M. Eppenberger at the Institute of Cell Biology ETH Zurich with distinction and was awarded the ETH prize and medal.

From 1975-1981, Wallimann worked as a post-doctoral research associate with Andrew G. Szent-Györgyi, [4] at the Biology Department of Brandeis University in Waltham, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. on the subject of "Myosin-linked calcium regulation of muscle contraction". In 1981, he was appointed as senior researcher and group leader at the Institute of Cell Biology of the ETH Zurich to work and teach in the areas of muscle biochemistry, cellular bioenergetics and molecular structure and physiology of creatine kinases in health and disease.

In 1984, Wallimann became a Lecturer (PD) (with Habilitation on "Localization and function of M-line-bound creatine kinase: M-band model and Phospho-Creatine Shuttle"[5]) and in 1994, Wallimann was awarded the title of Professor. In 1995 and 1996, Wallimann was Head and Deputy Head of the Institute of Cell Biology, respectively. In 2005, Wallimann was awarded the Alfred-Vogt-Prize 2005.[6] Wallimann resigned from his post in June 2008 and is now Emeritus.

Research

Wallimann's main areas of interest are:

  • The structure, function, subcellular compartmentation and molecular physiology of creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes and the Creatine Transporter (CRT), and in general, micro-compartmentation and metabolite channeling by multi-enzyme complexes.
  • The mechanisms of the cell enhancing and neuro-protective effects of creatine supplementation in health (muscle strength, learning and memory) and disease (neuromuscular and neuro-degenerative disorders).[7]
  • The structure and molecular physiology of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), involved in cellular energy homeostasis and nutritional signalling, which is relevant for type-2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

Memberships

Wallimann is a member of USGEB, FEBS, American Association for Cell Biology und Biophysical Society (USA).

Awards

  • 1975 Prize and Medal for PhD Dissertation ETH Zürich[3]
  • 2005 Alfred-Vogt Research Prize, Switzerland[6]
  • Awards of former Collaborators and ALUMNI of Wallimann group at ETHZ (Habilitations, PhD theses) [8]

International conferences

Wallimann organized together with Roger Harris, GB, the International CREATINE-2015 Conference on "Creatine in Health, Sport and Disease" (April 20-25th) held in Laufen, Germany.,[9][10] The Lectures of the invited speakers held at this Congress have been published in the Special Issue: "Creatine for Life: in Health, Sport and Medicine" in the Journal "Amino Acids" (Springer Verlag) (Aug.2016) Vol 48 (8):1439-2199 (Issue Editors: Theo Wallimann and Roger Harris). [11]

References

  1. ↑ Homepage Wallimann Inst. Mol.Health Science
  2. ↑ Homepage Wallimann Emeriti ETH Zürich
  3. 1 2 M-line-bound Creatine Kinase and Myofibrillar Structure
  4. ↑ Interview with Prof. Andrew G. Szent-Györgyi
  5. ↑ Function of M-line-bound creatine kinase: M-band model and Phospho-Creatine Shuttle"
  6. 1 2 Alfred-Vogt Awardees
  7. ↑ "The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine"
  8. ↑ ETH-related publications of ALUMNI of Wallimann group
  9. ↑
  10. ↑
  11. ↑
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