 from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in 1977, and subsequently was trained in medical microbiology at central medical services units of the German Army (Bundeswehr) until 1979.Thereupon he was trained as a dermatologist at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany).In 1985 he obtained his post-doctoral degree (Habilitation).