Professor Klaus Rajewsky stands as a preeminent figure in molecular immunology whose visionary research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of immune system genetics. Currently leading the Immunoregulation and Cancer research group at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine since 2011, he brings unparalleled expertise cultivated over more than six decades of scientific inquiry. His distinguished career began in 1964 at the newly established Institute for Genetics in Cologne, founded by Max Delbrück, following medical studies at Frankfurt and Munich universities and research in Paris. Starting with modest resources including just twelve rabbit cages for antibody production, Rajewsky systematically built what would become the largest and most internationally recognized immunology department at the University of Cologne during his 38-year tenure there. His subsequent move to Harvard Medical School before returning to Berlin represents a remarkable transatlantic journey that has strengthened global connections in immunological research.
Rajewsky's most transformative contribution was pioneering the CRE/loxP-based method for conditional gene targeting, which revolutionized genetic research by enabling precise modification of genes in specific cell types rather than throughout the entire organism. This breakthrough, developed in the late 1980s, provided researchers worldwide with an unprecedented tool to study gene function within the immune system, fundamentally advancing the field of immunogenetics. His laboratory became an international hub where scientists traveled to master these sophisticated genetic approaches, significantly accelerating discovery across immunology and molecular biology. Rajewsky's work has elucidated critical genetic mechanisms governing B cell physiology, antibody responses, and the pathogenesis of B cell malignancies including Burkitt lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma, establishing foundational knowledge that continues to inform cancer research and therapeutic development.
As a scientific leader, Rajewsky has profoundly influenced generations of immunologists through his mentorship and collaborative spirit, fostering international research networks that have accelerated discovery in immune system genetics. His laboratory at the Max Delbrück Center continues to push boundaries by integrating CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing with traditional approaches to study hematopoietic development and immune pathologies with remarkable precision. Currently investigating gene repair in mouse and human T cells and hematopoietic stem cells, his work bridges fundamental science with potential clinical applications for immunodeficiencies and malignancies. Even at 88 years old, Rajewsky remains actively engaged in cutting-edge research, demonstrating an enduring commitment to scientific excellence that continues to shape the future of immunology through both his direct contributions and the legacy of scientists he has trained worldwide.
