Dieter Falkenhagen (1942–2015): A Multifaceted Scientist

Dieter Falkenhagen was born in 1942 in Dresden, Germany and died in 2015. He specialized in internal medicine and nephrology. Focusing on artificial organ research, he investigated various aspects of the efficacy and safety of hemodialysis and adsorption technologies, including biocompatibility issues related to blood versus surface interactions and the adverse effects of endotoxin contamination. He studied various mathematical models to analyze efficacy and safety, and animal models to help clarify uncertainty issues. Through his studies, adsorbents were developed, resulting in Prometheus, an artificial liver support device. Anticoagulation models, including citrate perfusion, were improved and made safer by his work. He also stepped into bioreactor research to increase efficacy of liver support devices.

Experimental models of plasma perfusion

A system allowing repeated plasma perfusion in the unrestrained conscious rat was developed in order to examine the effects of plasma filtration with on-line sorbent treatment of plasma in various models of disease. In experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis, perfusion over a column coated with glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigen lowered circulating levels of anti-GBM antibodies. In experimental endotoxaemia, perfusion over a column coated with polymixin B (PB) lowered circulating endotoxin levels and protected animals from haematological abnormalities and death. In experimental acute hepatic failure, perfusion over a combination of charcoal, resin, and PB columns improved survival in grades II and III hepatic coma. This experimental system has allowed preclinical evaluation of the effectiveness of different sorbents in the treatment of a range of disorders.