Jörg Hacker

Hacker Joerg

Jörg Hacker (born 13 February 1952) is a prominent German microbiologist known for his significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases and molecular biology. He has held various prestigious positions in scientific institutions and has been recognized for his research on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial infections.

Early Life and Education

Jörg Hacker was born in Grevesmühlen, Germany. He pursued his higher education in biology at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, where he received his PhD in 1979. His doctoral research focused on the genetic and molecular basis of bacterial pathogenicity.

Career

After completing his PhD, Hacker worked at the University of Würzburg, where he became a professor in 1988. His research primarily centered on the pathogenicity islands of bacteria, which are distinct genetic elements that contribute to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria.

In 2003, Hacker was appointed as the Vice President of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, a leading institution in the field of public health and infectious disease research. He later served as the President of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina from 2010 to 2014.

Research Contributions

Hacker's research has significantly advanced the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis. He has extensively studied the genomics of pathogenic bacteria, particularly focusing on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. His work on the identification and characterization of virulence factors has provided insights into how bacteria cause disease and how they can be targeted by new therapeutic strategies.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Jörg Hacker has received numerous awards and honors, including:

• The Robert Koch Prize in 2002 for his outstanding contributions to microbiology.
• Membership in the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
• The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Personal Life

Jörg Hacker is married and has two children. He continues to be active in the scientific community, contributing to various research projects and mentoring young scientists.

Related Pages

• Microbiology
• Infectious diseases
• Molecular biology
• Robert Koch Institute
• German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• Pathogenicity islands
• Escherichia coli
• Staphylococcus aureus