Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1258: The Impact of Inflammation on Nervous System Function
Subject Area
Neurosciences
Term
from 2006 to 2010
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 968539
There is increasing evidence that immunological processes are involved not only in the classical inflammatory disorders of the nervous system, but also in primarily non-inflammatory injuries, such as Alzheimer disease and stroke. Although the initiating events differ considerably, we hypothesise common pathways in the crosstalk between immune and nervous system in the course of these diseases.
The focus of this Research Training Group is on the interaction of proinflammatory and regulatory immune cells with cells of the central and peripheral nervous system, such as astrocytes, microglia and neurons. The microglial cell has many common properties with macrophages and plays a central role as an interphase between immune cells and neurons. To understand these cellular and molecular interactions we combine in vitro and in vivo approaches with animal models for neurological diseases such as stroke, chronic pain or multiple sclerosis. The faculty of this Research Training Group studies this crosstalk by combining modern methods of molecular and cellular biology with imaging techniques such as two photon microscopy or magnetic resonance imaging.
The programme started on April 1, 2006 and has recruited 17 students, five with a medical and twelve with a scientific background. The Research Training Group is integrated into the Humboldt University's International Masters - MD/PhD Programme Medical Neurosciences. By enrolling into this programme the students will have the opportunity to participate in lectures and courses on the MD/PhD programme, and thus obtain a broad education in neuroscience complemented by the Research Training Group's own, more focussed course and lecture curriculum.
The focus of this Research Training Group is on the interaction of proinflammatory and regulatory immune cells with cells of the central and peripheral nervous system, such as astrocytes, microglia and neurons. The microglial cell has many common properties with macrophages and plays a central role as an interphase between immune cells and neurons. To understand these cellular and molecular interactions we combine in vitro and in vivo approaches with animal models for neurological diseases such as stroke, chronic pain or multiple sclerosis. The faculty of this Research Training Group studies this crosstalk by combining modern methods of molecular and cellular biology with imaging techniques such as two photon microscopy or magnetic resonance imaging.
The programme started on April 1, 2006 and has recruited 17 students, five with a medical and twelve with a scientific background. The Research Training Group is integrated into the Humboldt University's International Masters - MD/PhD Programme Medical Neurosciences. By enrolling into this programme the students will have the opportunity to participate in lectures and courses on the MD/PhD programme, and thus obtain a broad education in neuroscience complemented by the Research Training Group's own, more focussed course and lecture curriculum.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Freie Universität Berlin; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Helmut Kettenmann
