Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1373: Brain Signalling: From Neurons to Circuits
Subject Area
Neurosciences
Term
from 2006 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 19945400
The International Research Training Group is a combination of groups from the Technical University Munich and the Georgetown University, Washington. Neuroscience emerges as the discipline of the 21st century for several reasons: The human brain is seen as the last big frontier of scientific endeavours to understand nature and ourselves. At the same time, new technologies enable us to explore the brain with ever increasing precision. Neuroscience is attracting students and young researchers with various backgrounds. Physicians and medical scientists are joined by engineers and physicists, chemists and molecular biologists to tackle this fascinating problem from various angles. A common approach taken by most members of either group is to visualise neural activity with optical means ("neuroimaging").
The primary aim of the members of the Munich group is the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain function in vivo. For this purpose, several of the group members utilise high-resolution imaging techniques (multi-photon and optic fibre based imaging) and electrophysiological methods that they employ for the analyses of animal model systems, mostly wild-type and mutant mice. Basic mechanisms of synaptic transmission and intracellular signalling are investigated with an array of techniques, involving patch-clamp recordings, rapid confocal and two-photon imaging, local release of caged compounds, as well as with voltage-sensitive dye recordings from neural networks. Whereas the strengths of the Munich groups lie in the microscopic level of investigation, the Georgetown groups concentrate mostly on the systems level.
Another unique property of this International Research Training Group is that many of its members in either group concentrate on the auditory system. A third aspect of the not only complementary nature of the partnership is its shared interest in synaptic plasticity, which is tested in various model systems and has been a long-standing theme for researchers of both groups. Clinical investigations of neural plasticity as in, for instance, dyslexia, autism and Alzheimer's disease, are performed in both groups with neuroimaging techniques and constitute another binding feature with particular relevance for graduate education. Exchange visits of graduate students and teaching staff strengthen collaborations for the benefit of both groups and ensure an excellent education of the students at an international level.
The primary aim of the members of the Munich group is the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain function in vivo. For this purpose, several of the group members utilise high-resolution imaging techniques (multi-photon and optic fibre based imaging) and electrophysiological methods that they employ for the analyses of animal model systems, mostly wild-type and mutant mice. Basic mechanisms of synaptic transmission and intracellular signalling are investigated with an array of techniques, involving patch-clamp recordings, rapid confocal and two-photon imaging, local release of caged compounds, as well as with voltage-sensitive dye recordings from neural networks. Whereas the strengths of the Munich groups lie in the microscopic level of investigation, the Georgetown groups concentrate mostly on the systems level.
Another unique property of this International Research Training Group is that many of its members in either group concentrate on the auditory system. A third aspect of the not only complementary nature of the partnership is its shared interest in synaptic plasticity, which is tested in various model systems and has been a long-standing theme for researchers of both groups. Clinical investigations of neural plasticity as in, for instance, dyslexia, autism and Alzheimer's disease, are performed in both groups with neuroimaging techniques and constitute another binding feature with particular relevance for graduate education. Exchange visits of graduate students and teaching staff strengthen collaborations for the benefit of both groups and ensure an excellent education of the students at an international level.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Arthur Konnerth
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Helmuth Adelsberger; Dr. Sabine Bühner; Professor Dr. Alexander Drzezga; Professor Dr. Benedikt Grothe; Professor Dr. Christian Haass; Dr. Gjermund Henriksen; Professor Dr. Thomas Misgeld; Professor Dr. Vasilis Ntziachristos; Professor Dr. Markus Ploner; Professor Dr. Michael Schemann; Professor Dr. Markus Schwaiger; Professor Dr. Hans Straka (†); Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wurst
