Profile

Professional career

• 07/1993
  Medical Thesis, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
• 09/1992 - 12/1993
  Resident (Arzt im Praktikum), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty (Charité), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
• 01/1994 - 02/1995
  Postdoc at National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, U.S.A.
• 03/1995 - 11/2001
  Postdoc at the Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Free University of Berlin
• 01/1994 - 12/1999
  Medical certification (Pharmacology and Toxicology)
• 01/2000 - 03/2002
  Scientific Assistant at the Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Freie Universität Berlin
• 03/1995 - 11/2001
  Habilitation in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Freie Universität Berlin
• 04/2002 - 03/2003
  Heisenberg Stipendiat at the Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Freie Universität Berlin
• since 04/2003
  Full Professor (C4/W3) in Molecular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universität Leipzig
• since 04/2021
  Adjunct Full Professor in the School of Medicine at UGHE, Rwanda

Education

• 09/1986 - 08/1992
  Medical School, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswald

Panel Memberships

• 09/2013 - 03/2020
  Elected panel member of the German Research Foundation
• 01/2008 - 12/2010
  Board Member, German Society for Endocrinology

Prof. Dr. Torsten Schöneberg, Director of the Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry at Leipzig University, researches the molecular function and signal transduction of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors play a central role in cellular communication and are involved in numerous physiological processes. A particular focus of his research is on previously understudied GPCRs (orphan GPCRs) and mutations associated with diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and neurological disorders.

To study these receptors, Prof. Schöneberg's team employs cutting-edge methods in molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. These include techniques such as genome editing (CRISPR/Cas), functional assays to analyze receptor activity, and the use of animal models to understand the physiological effects of GPCR mutations. Another key research area is the investigation of the molecular evolution of this receptor family.

By identifying receptors as potential therapeutic targets, his work contributes to the development of new drugs that specifically target GPCRs.

Another focus of his research is comparative genomic studies of extinct and currently living species to understand molecular adaptation processes.

• A High-coverage Ancient Genome for Analyzing Arctic Adaptation Mechanisms – the Steller’s Sea Cow Case

  Schöneberg, Torsten

  Duration: 05/2019 – 04/2023

  Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institut für Biochemie
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• SFB 1423/A05: Structures of adhesion GPCR by cryo-electron microscopy

  Schöneberg, Torsten

  Duration: 01/2020 – ongoing

  Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: SFB 1423: Strukturelle Dynamik der GPCR-Aktivierung und Signaltransduktion; Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Biochemie (Medizin)
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• SFB1423/C04: The neglected receptor N terminus - signal filter, signal integration, trans-signaling of adhesion GPCR

  Schöneberg, Torsten

  Duration: 12/2019 – ongoing

  Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: SFB 1423: Strukturelle Dynamik der GPCR-Aktivierung und Signaltransduktion; Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institut für Biochemie
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• Structural studies on extracellular adhesion GPCR signaling

  Schöneberg, Torsten

  Duration: 01/2018 – 12/2021

  Funded by: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institut für Biochemie; FOR 2149: Elucidation of Adhesion-GPCR signaling
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more projects

• Schöneberg, T.

  Modulating Vertebrate Physiology by Genomic Fine-Tuning of GPCR Functions

  Physiological Review. 2024.

  DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00017.2024
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• Kuhn, C.; Stenzel, U.; Berndt, S.; Liebscher, I.; Schöneberg, T.; Horn, S.

  The repertoire and structure of adhesion GPCR transcript variants assembled from publicly available deep-sequenced human samples

  Nucleic Acids res.. 2024. 52 (7). pp. 3823–3836.

  DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae145
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• Le Duc, G.-D.; Velluva, A.; Cassatt-Johnstone, M. et al.

  Genomic basis for skin phenotype and cold adaptation in the extinct Steller's sea cow

  Science advances / American Association for the Advancement of Science. 2022. 8 (5).

  DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6496
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• Le Duc, D.; Renaud, G.; Krishnan, A.; Almen, M. S.; Huynen, L.; Prohaska, S.; Ongyerth, M.; Bitarello, B. D.; Schioth, H. B.; Hofreiter, M.; Stadler, P. F.; Pruefer, K.; Lambert, D.; Kelso, J.; Schöneberg, T.

  Kiwi genome provides insights into evolution of a nocturnal lifestyle

  GENOME BIOLOGY. 2015.

  DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0711-4
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• Liebscher, I.; Schön, J.; Petersen, S. C.; Fischer, L.; Auerbach, N.; Demberg, L. M.; Mogha, A.; Cöster, M.; Simon, K.-U.; Rothemund, S.; Monk, K. R.; Schöneberg, T.

  A tethered agonist within the ectodomain activates the adhesion G protein-coupled receptors GPR126 and GPR133

  Cell reports.. 2014. 9 (6). pp. 2018–2026.

  DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.11.036
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more publications

Since 2019                             Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology for Medical students at the UGHE, Rwanda

Since 2003                             Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for Medical students and Master students at the Leipzig University, Germany

Since 2003                             Clinical Toxicology for Medical students and Toxicology Qualification of Natural scientists at the Leipzig University, Germany

1992-94 and 1995-2003        Pharmacology and Toxicology for Medical students, Charité Berlin, Germany

• Biochemistry and Molecularbiology for Medical and Dental Medicine Students

  Lectures

  Seminars