Professor Köhne studied medicine at the Medical School Hannover/Germany and at the University of Glasgow/Scotland, specializing in internal medicine, haematology and oncology. He has since held senior positions at the Robert-Rössle-Hospital (Department of Haematology/Oncology and Tumour Immunology), Humboldt-University of Berlin (Charité), and at the University Hospital Rostock, Clinic and Policlinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Haematology/Oncology.