Welcome on my internet site. I want to shortly introduce myself. I was employed as full Professor for Toxicology and Pharmacology at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Medical of Hamburg, Germany, where I worked between 1976 and 2013. I am now retired but still engaged in research.
I am a member of the German Society for Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) since many years and registered as Toxicology Expert (DGPT). I am also a member of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) since 1983. Since 2011 I work as independent expert at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is located in Parma Italy.
My main field of expertise is the toxicology and pharmacology of natural compounds. I have written a comprehensive chapter about natural toxins in a toxicology School book (see my list of references). I also spent many years on research of antitumor agents, especially the development of antitumor agents without genotoxic potential. At my former institute I also supervised a GLP lab for the detection of mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of chemical compounds. Further information on my scientific career can be received from my list of publications at this website (Publikationsliste).
Since 2001 I search on the pharmacological properties of the tropical medicinal plant „Noni“ (Morinda citrifolia L.). This plant has a unique mechanism of action, which is called “adaptogenic”. Adaptogenes enhance the stress defense system of the body, without exerting negative side effects. Because most diseases are associated with stress, adaptogenes have multifold beneficial properties. They reduce the symptoms of inflammatory diseases, strengthen the immune system and the physical endurance, trap reactive oxygen radicals and many more. Further information can be received in the book about noni, which I wrote together with my wife Cornelia Mettlich. It is available in German, English and French. A summary can be seen here on my website. We are currently working on an update of the book, which should be available next year.
If you have any questions about my research, toxicology in general, my book or the noni plant, don’t hesitate to write me via this website.