Project Details
Projekt
EXC 81: Cellular Networks: From Analysis of Molecular Mechanisms to a Quantitative Understanding of Complex Functions (CellNetworks)
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
Neurosciences
Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
Neurosciences
Term
from 2006 to 2019
Website
Homepage
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24122740
The 20th century has revolutionised biology by bringing it to a molecular level. The enormous advances in our knowledge of individual molecules, the genetic information of entire organisms and the total protein components of cells now allow us to address an ultimate challenge of biology:
how can we explain function, structure and evolution of subcellular and supracellular networks?
The central aim of the cluster of excellence CellNetworks is to define behaviour and dynamic alterations of complex networks and to develop a systemic understanding of their regulation and interplay. This will depend on a closely interactive collaboration between scientists from different disciplines and also requires methodological and technological advances. Ultimately, an integrated view should be generated which is detailed enough to allow mathematical modelling and simulation of biological processes. The CellNetworks programme is structured into four distinct but closely interconnected project areas according to ascending levels of complexity and two essential central technology platforms. Area A investigates intracellular building blocks and their dynamic integration into macromolecular assemblies as well as their interaction within a network. Area B extends this to the higher architecture of the cell and the interaction of the cell with the extracellular environment. In area C this is expanded to the supracellular level, studying signal processing with a focus on developmental processes and the nervous system. Research area D adds an additional level of complexity by addressing the changes introduced into the homeostasis of cellular networks as well as their exploitation by viral and parasite pathogens.
Heidelberg is an internationally renowned centre in molecular cell biology and also holds strong positions in mathematics and computational sciences as well as microscopy. CellNetworks unites leading research groups from the University, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and German Cancer Research Center, and receives additional support from corporate partners and a foundation. Its nucleus and communication centre and the home of the requested new professorships, several junior groups and most central technology platforms is the BIOQUANT building, opened in spring 2007. This building was conceived to unite experimental research in biosciences, technology development and application and mathematical modelling and simulation under a single roof. Realising this potential, CellNetworks aims to make Heidelberg one of the most exciting places to perform interdisciplinary research in basic and applied molecular biosciences and for training the next generation of scientific leaders.
how can we explain function, structure and evolution of subcellular and supracellular networks?
The central aim of the cluster of excellence CellNetworks is to define behaviour and dynamic alterations of complex networks and to develop a systemic understanding of their regulation and interplay. This will depend on a closely interactive collaboration between scientists from different disciplines and also requires methodological and technological advances. Ultimately, an integrated view should be generated which is detailed enough to allow mathematical modelling and simulation of biological processes. The CellNetworks programme is structured into four distinct but closely interconnected project areas according to ascending levels of complexity and two essential central technology platforms. Area A investigates intracellular building blocks and their dynamic integration into macromolecular assemblies as well as their interaction within a network. Area B extends this to the higher architecture of the cell and the interaction of the cell with the extracellular environment. In area C this is expanded to the supracellular level, studying signal processing with a focus on developmental processes and the nervous system. Research area D adds an additional level of complexity by addressing the changes introduced into the homeostasis of cellular networks as well as their exploitation by viral and parasite pathogens.
Heidelberg is an internationally renowned centre in molecular cell biology and also holds strong positions in mathematics and computational sciences as well as microscopy. CellNetworks unites leading research groups from the University, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and German Cancer Research Center, and receives additional support from corporate partners and a foundation. Its nucleus and communication centre and the home of the requested new professorships, several junior groups and most central technology platforms is the BIOQUANT building, opened in spring 2007. This building was conceived to unite experimental research in biosciences, technology development and application and mathematical modelling and simulation under a single roof. Realising this potential, CellNetworks aims to make Heidelberg one of the most exciting places to perform interdisciplinary research in basic and applied molecular biosciences and for training the next generation of scientific leaders.
DFG Programme
Clusters of Excellence
Applicant Institution
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Participating Institution
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ); European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL); Heidelberger Institut für Theoretische Studien (HITS); Max-Planck-Institut für medizinische Forschung; Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit (ZI)
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Hilmar Bading; Professor Dr. Ralf Friedrich Wilhelm Bartenschlager; Professor Dr. Peer Bork; Professor Dr. Michael Boutros; Professor Dr. Michael Brunner; Professor Dr. Bernd Bukau; Professor Dr. Bruce A. Edgar; Professor Dr. Roland Eils; Professorin Dr. Herta Flor; Professorin Dr. Ingrid Grummt; Professor Dr. Thomas W. Holstein; Professor Dr. Eduard Christian Hurt; Professor Dr. Thomas Höfer; Professorin Dr. Rohini Kuner; Professorin Dr. Frauke Melchior; Professorin Dr. Hannah Monyer; Dr. Christoph W. Müller; Professor Dr. Elmar Schiebel; Professorin Dr. Ilme Schlichting; Professor Dr. Ulrich Schwarz; Professorin Dr. Irmgard Sinning; Professor Dr. Joachim P. Spatz; Professor Dr. Felix Wilhelm Theodor Wieland; Professor Dr. Joachim Wittbrodt
