[21.10.24 written by Patrick Scheerer] Professor Klaus-Peter Hofmann, a leading biochemist and biophysicist, revolutionized our understanding of visual signal transduction through his research on rhodopsin and G protein-coupled receptors. His work laid the foundation for advances in cellular biology and drug development, leaving a lasting impact on science and medicine. All colleagues of the CRC 1423 mourn and keep him in deep memory.
It was with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Professor Klaus-Peter Hofmann, an eminent German biochemist and biophysicist, on July 20, 2024, at age 80.
Klaus-Peter Hofmann was a pioneering figure in the study of the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction, particularly in the eukaryotic visual system. His groundbreaking research on the photoreceptor rhodopsin, a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), significantly advanced our understanding of cellular signal transmission and pharmaceutical drug development.
Klaus-Peter Hofmann in Kona, Hawaii, during a GPCR conference in 2017, where he was invited as a key note speaker by the Nobel laureate and organiser Brian K. Kobilka.
Image Credit: Patrick Scheerer (privat)
His academic background
Born on 14 December 1943 in Lindau am Bodensee, Peter studied physics from 1963 to 1969 and received his doctorate from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in 1973 under supervision of Prof. G. Zundel. His habilitation at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg in 1980 marked the beginning of a distinguished academic and scientific career. In 1982, he was appointed Professor of Biophysics at the University of Freiburg. From 1994 until his retirement in 2010, he was Director of the Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, where he was succeeded by Christian Spahn, who is a member of our CRC1423. But Peter continued his research in the many years to come.
His scientific focus and achievements
Klaus-Peter Hofmann’s research has been highly influential in the field of visual signal transduction, in particular the role of rhodopsin in the process of vision. This is illustrated by his early work showing how the complex formation of rhodopsin and GTP-binding G protein in bovine photoreceptor membranes leads to a shift in the photoproduct equilibrium. In his late phase of research between 2007 and 2013, he and his team were able to visualise active states of rhodopsin and proteins involved in the visual cascade using X-ray crystallography, which was groundbreaking at the time and continues to influence GPCR research worldwide today. His work revealed how light-induced changes in rhodopsin’s structure trigger a cascade of molecular events that has since served as a role model for understanding GPCR function across various physiological systems. His findings have thus influenced the drug development, as GPCRs are involved in many diseases and are targeted by the majority of drugs.
Prestigious Grants, Awards and Memberships
Over the years, he has led or participated in numerous prestigious research projects, including several funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the European Research Council (ERC), where he was awarded with an ERC Advanced Grant (TUDOR: 2010 – 2015). His leadership of the highly successful Collaborative Research Centre 740 (2010 – 2018) and his work on the molecular mechanisms of sensory physiology have further cemented his international reputation as a leader in his field. Klaus-Peter Hofmann’s contributions have been recognised with numerous awards, including the Aschoff Medal of the Medical Society of Freiburg in 2012. Already in 2000, he was made as a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, one of the highest honours for a scientist in Germany. He was president of the German Biophysics Society (2006-2008) and was a visiting professor at the Rudolf-Virchow Centre in Würzburg and a liaison professor of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes in Germany.
Enthusiastic mentor and motivator
In addition to his outstanding scientific work, as a mentor he was a tremendous inspiration to his young colleagues. His door was always open for almost any new and crazy research idea or just a chat. Peter always had a very cheerful manner and inspired with his infinite knowledge of Bavarian humour (he always had a joke from Karl Valentin or Gerhard Polt at hand), the history of science and music. The passioned cyclist provided everyone with oat biscuits, great motivation and fun during endless writing sessions on publications or during joint data analyses.
Klaus-Peter Hofmann was very closely associated with our CRC1423 ‘Structural Dynamics of GPCR Activation and Signaling’, not only as one of the advisors and mentors for the preparation of the first period of our consortium. He was also mentor, supervisor and friend of many PIs in the CRC, such as Matthias Elgeti, Peter W. Hildebrand and Patrick Scheerer, who graduated with him or had their first postdoc phase.
His passing is a great loss to the scientific community. Klaus-Peter Hofmann’s legacy will live on through the many students and researchers he encouraged and worked with, and through the lasting impact of his scientific discoveries. He will be remembered not only for his intellectual brilliance, but also for his humility, generosity and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.
Our thoughts are with the mourning family.
We will miss you, Peter!
Patrick Scheerer and all colleagues of the SFB1423