Mechanisms and consequences of microglia elimination during postnatal development (A09*)

• Subject Area: Immunology ; Experimental Models for the Understanding of Nervous System Diseases
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259373024

The microglia network is involved in neuronal circuit maturation or myelinogenesis during postnatal development, accompanied by exponential clonal expansion with proliferative bouts of microglia, temporarily leading to overshooting microglial cell numbers. Excess microglia need to be eliminated without disturbing brain development by cell death itself or ensuing immune activation. Yet, the cell death-inducing factors, precise cell death modalities and mechanisms of recognition and removal of dying cells are underexplored and will be investigated here.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 167: Development, function and potential of myeloid cells in the central nervous system (NeuroMac)
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Olaf Groß, since 1/2025; Professorin Dr. Katrin Kierdorf