Klaus Aktories

Prof. Klaus Aktories is a Full Professor and Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Freiburg. He holds affiliations with the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology and the BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies. Previously, he served as an Internal Senior Fellow (2015–2016) and held academic positions at the Universities of Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Gießen, Essen, and Saarland. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial protein toxins and their impact on eukaryotic cell signaling pathways, particularly GTP-binding proteins and cytoskeletal proteins like actin and microtubules. He is a prominent member of the German National Academy of Sciences – Leopoldina (2003), the American Academy of Microbiology (2008 Fellow), and EMBO (2008).

Education:

• Pharmacy and Medicine studies at University of Frankfurt, Dr. med. (1977)
• Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) in Pharmacology (1981), University of Heidelberg
• habilitation in Pharmacology and Toxicology (1983), University of Heidelberg

Research Interests: The Aktories Lab investigates how bacterial toxins manipulate host cell signaling. Key areas include:

• Clostridium, Photorhabdus, Yersinia, and Legionella toxins
• Covalent modifications of Rho/Ras GTPases and actin via glucosylation, ADP-ribosylation, and deamidation
• Toxin-induced cytoskeletal disruption and its role in pathogenesis
• Development of anti-infection strategies and toxin-based pharmacological tools

Current studies emphasize toxin-receptor interactions (e.g., LSR receptor for CDT) and toxin effects on processes like osteoblastogenesis and neuronal inflammation.

Publications Trends: Recent articles highlight Clostridium difficile toxin mechanisms, Yersinia glycosylation effects, and novel therapeutic approaches using toxins. Key themes include toxin-induced signaling pathway disruptions, receptor identification, and defensin-based toxin neutralization.

Awards:

• Member of the German National Academy of Sciences – Leopoldina (2003)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2008)
• Member of EMBO (2008)

Research Funding & Labs:

• Laboratory at Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Associated with BIOSS and CIBSS signaling research centers
• Research supported by grants focusing on toxin biology and anti-infection strategies

His work bridges basic pharmacology with clinical applications, leveraging toxins as experimental tools for understanding cellular processes.