GRK 1631:  MyoGrad - International Research Training Group for Myology

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2010 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 138587823

This International Research Training Group offers the first structured platform for PhD training in the field of muscle sciences worldwide. Muscle wasting and weakness are devastating problems in patients with muscular dystrophies, cancer, cachexia of any cause, critical illness myopathy and also commonly occur in aging individuals.
In 2007, we established the first DFG-funded Clinical Research Unit “Regulation and dysregulation of skeletal muscle growth” (CRU 192), the first CRU on muscle disease research in Germany. It was prolonged in May 2010. The Paris Institut de Myologie is a well-established specialised institution offering excellent research facilities to outstanding scientists pursuing muscle diseases. The Research Training Group has several unique aspects. First, the participating scientists have outstanding track records. Second, the cooperation features added value in terms of combining unique expertise. Third, the topic lends itself particularly well to scientific networking. Finally, the need is great since the scope of the problem extends far beyond a group of relatively uncommon muscle diseases.
Meanwhile, the Research Training Group has established a co-tutelle programme between the Free University Berlin and the UPMC in Paris. Here, the best internationally selected PhD students are offered a curriculum in English, which will cover the entire spectrum of muscle-related cell and molecular biology as well as clinical aspects of muscle diseases (International Myology Summer School). Continuous communication between students and teachers in either location will be realised via student seminars and journal clubs available face-to-face and online. A myology “E-learning” platform will complete the educational concept.
The International Research Training Group consists of nine research projects that complement CRU 192. Each project is lead by a Berlin and a Paris co-principal investigator. The projects comprise exchange of scientists and students between the institutions. We strongly believe that the research excellence of the partners in Paris and Berlin, the innovative programme structure and the outstanding commitment of the partners in this Research Training Group provide a sound basis for success.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: France
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• IRTG-Partner Institution: Sorbonne Université
• Participating Institution: Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC); Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik (MPIMG)
• Spokesperson: Professorin Dr. Simone Spuler
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Thomas Voit
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Carmen Birchmeier; Dr. Michael Boschmann; Professor Dr. Jens Fielitz; Dr. Christian Geier; Professor Dr. Michael Gotthardt; Professor Dr. Friedrich C. Luft; Professorin Dr. Barbara Munz; Professor Dr. Markus Schülke-Gerstenfeld; Professor Dr. Joachim Spranger; Professor Dr. Sigmar Stricker
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Helge Amthor, Ph.D.; Marc Bartoli, Ph.D.; Gisèle Bonne, Ph.D.; Gillian Butler-Browne, Ph.D.; Pierre Carlier, Ph.D.; Professor Jean Cartaud, Ph.D.; Delphine Duprez, Ph.D.; Ana Ferreiro, Ph.D.; Professor Luis Garcia, Ph.D.; Martin Krahn, Ph.D.; Vincent Mouly, Ph.D.; Professor Frédéric Relaix, Ph.D.