Affiliation

Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), c/o Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our lab is focused on understanding how neuronal microcircuits in the hippocampus and associated brain regions are altered in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. We use in-vivo electrophysiological methods to investigate brain oscillations and single cell activity in mice while they acquire, retain and retrieve new memories. We are particularly interested in the interplay between principal cells and different types of interneurons and how imbalances in their activity can result in memory failure.

Affiliation

Deptartment of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Research Focus

We investigate the connection between cell death regulation and glucose metabolism in the brain, their regulation in stroke, and how to leverage these mechanisms therapeutically. We use and further develop human pluripotent stem cell models of the brain. We use patient specific models in phenotypic high-throughput microscopy assays and investigate the use for precision medicine applications.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Signal Transduction/Developmental Biology, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

The lab focuses on functional analysis of genes important in development and stem cells, concentrating on muscle, the nervous system and endocrine organs. We observe that many genes control both developmental and regenerative processes in the adult. For our work, we use mouse genetics and stem cells culture, and define molecular mechanisms by genomic and proteomic technologies.

Affiliation

Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human CNS. MS exhibits an extraordinary heterogeneity of clinicaal features, genetic and environmental risk factors and mechanisms of tissue damage. Our research aims to identify cellular heterogeneity of the myeloid cell compartment including monocytes, macrophages and microglia, and their phenotypic and functional alteration during MS pathology. Mainly, we employ mass cytometry and imaging mass cytometry to characterize myeloid cells in different compartments - the peripheral blood, CSF & brain.

Affiliation

Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (WE14), Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin

Research Focus

My research is inspired by multidisciplinary approaches evaluating the role of the immune system and de- and regeneration of neurons in diseases of the CIS. We focus on epilepsy as one of the most common chronic neurological diseases. Seizures can be triggered by various causes, such as infections and intoxications, genetic predispositions, stroke, and head trauma. My work is oriented towards identifying new pharmacological targets that could alter processes that are contributing to seizure generation and brain pathology, such as synaptic reorganization, neurodegeneration, and inflammation.

Affiliation

German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (Deutsche Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen - DZNE)

Research Focus

Memory encoding and forgetting require strengthening and weakening of synapses. Synapse weakening is an early feature of neurodegenerative disease, and leads to memory loss when it occurs in the hippocampus. Our team identifies and manipulates molecules that strengthen or weaken synapses, to counteract neurodegenerative disease. To do this, we use a combination of live imaging, nanoscopy, electrophysiology, biochemistry, genomics, and behavior. Our goal is to target the molecular “memory signature”, in brain slices and hIPSC-derived neuronal networks, to discover cognition-enhancing compounds.

Affiliation

Head of Stem Cell Platform Berlin Institute of Health/Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Robert-Rössle-Straße 10 13125 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0)30 9406-3090 sebastian.diecke@mdc-berlin.de

Research Focus

Cardiac phenotype caused by Huntington´s disease We try to understand the mechanisms underlying the cardiac phenotype caused by Huntington´s disease and if the current medications increase the risk of long QT syndrome depending on the genetic cause of the disease. In order to understand the manifestation of the disease we are planning to utilize IPSC derived cardiomyocytes derived from HTT patient specific lines as well as subsequently derived isogenic control lines.

Affiliation

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Biochemie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our research focuses on the signalling mechanisms that control the dynamic reorganisation of the cytoskeleton during the establishment and maintenance of synaptic connections in the context of brain development and neuronal disorders/disease.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Direktor des Instituts für Neurophysiologie Campus Mitte Institut für Neurophysiologie CCM 2360 Virchowweg 6 (CCO) Raum: 02-342 Charitéplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Analyisi of cortical microcircuits in acute brain slices of rodents and humans using multi-neuron patch-clamp and HDMEA recordings. Special emphasis is given to structure-function relationships and diversity of neuronal subtypes and their synaptic interactions.

Affiliation

Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association Robert-Roessle-Str. 10 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group investigates the fundamental principles and regulation of vascular formation and adaptation in health and disease. Multiple connections exist between vascular biology and neuroscience, starting with shared principles of axonal guidance and vascular guidance, many examples of co-patterning and shared molecular mechanisms, the control of the neurovascular unit, the blood brain barrier, etc.. One of the current research foci is the understanding of the mechanisms of vascular adaptations to changing flow conditions, as for example after stroke, and the integrative mechano-sensing of endothelial cells and the metabolic regulation of endothelial mechano-responses and signalling.

Affiliation

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

The focus of our research is on experimental stroke research with projects ranging from acute stroke protection to chronic stroke outcome. Our projects include neuroinflammation (myeloid cell diversity after stroke), the interaction between stress-related disorders and stroke outcome (psychosocial stress), systemic effects of stroke (e.g. brain-heart-interaction) and regenerative processes including angiogenesis and neuronal plasticity.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Neurophysiology, Cellular Network Physiology Research Group, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

The goal of our research is to understand how information is processed and encoded in the brain. We use a combination of electrophysiological, anatomical and immunohistological approaches to address the following research questions:
• Role of principal cells and interneurons in hippocampal network oscillations
• Segregation of axonal and somatic activity during fast network oscillation
• Entorhinal cortex-hippocampal physiology and pathophysiology
• Impaired hippocampal rhythmogenesis in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Stem cell modeling of development and disease, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

We use embryonic stem cells to model embryo development in vitro and understand cell fate choices during neuromuscular system development. We recently generated spinal cord neurons from a neuromesodermal progenitor population. This approach opens up new opportunities for the study of neuromuscular diseases as it gives unprecedented access to the simultaneous development of both neural and mesodermal tissues in the dish. Our focus is to understand how these tissues are generated and interact in space/time during development with the aim to understand the origins of human neuromuscular diseases.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

We model brain ischemia both in cell culture and in mice. We focus on mechanisms of endogenous neuroprotection and mediators of plasticity and rewiring of networks after focal cerebral ischemia in the long-term. Phenotyping of interventions by gene/ drug delivery, and transgenic models include analyis of behavior and skills training, brain imaging, post-stroke angiogenesis and collaterals, inflammation, network rewiring, transcriptomics, proteomics and high resolution microscopy. Our second focus is glioblastoma and inflammation-targeted personalized therapies using WXS and RNA sequencing.

Affiliation

Leibniz Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

From sensory perception to learning and memory, the functioning of the nervous system is dependent upon communication between neurons. Dysfunction of neuronal signaling results in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders ranging from autism to epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. The focus of research in the Haucke laboratory is the dissection of the molecular mechanisms of exo-endocytosis and endolyososomal membrane dynamics and its role neurotransmission and neurodevelopment (Kononenko & Haucke, Neuron 2015) as well as in the aging brain.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

My research focuses on how the immune system interacts with tissue-specific cells during inflammatory processes. The lab is particularly interested in elucidating the mechanisms of chronic neuroinflammation. We are analysing the dynamics of immune responses in vivo, using intravital microscopy in various mouse models, with the aim to identify novel therapeutic approaches targeting chronic inflammation.

Affiliation

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Exp. Biophysik, Invalidenstr. 42, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

my group works primarily on the molecular characterization of natural sensory photoreceptors including flavin-based receptors and unusual microbial rhodopsins. Several of them including channelrhodopsin that we discovered and intensively characterized are now widely applied in the neurosciences as optogentic actuators. We are are engineering many derivatives with modified absorption, kinetics and ion- or substrate selectivities and work on neuronal applications and studies in collaborations for example with Matthew Larkum, Andrew Plested, Christian Rosenmund, Dietmar Schmitz.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group is active in the field of experimental and clinical neuropathology & neuroscience with the following major areas:
• Immunological aspects of neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases
• the neuroimmune interface: how the immune system impacts neural networks & homeostasis
• Impact of neuroinflammation on systemic metabolism
• Biology of the microglia

Affiliation

Institute for Theoretical Biology Charite & Humboldt University Philippstr.13 10115 Berlin

Research Focus

The focus of our theoretical group is the coordination of circadian rhythms in mammals. In common projects with Achim Kramer (Charite), Toru Takumi (Riken Brain Science Institute) and Erik Herzog (Neuroscience Program WashU) we study the synchronization of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We study the underlying genetic networks, model the SCN as a system of coupled oscillators, and explore the mechanisms of chronotype diversity and seasonal encoding. Our approach is based on data analysis methods, differential equation models and bioinformatics.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

In our group, we combine clinical and experimental epilepsy research. Our clinical research focuses on epidemiology and deep brain stimulation, but also on cognitive studies in patients with intracranial electrodes. Experimentally, we tackle pathophysiological questions in various types of epilepsy and look for new therapeutic approaches using mainly in vitro electrophysiology in rodent and human brain slices and in vivo studies in rodents. Overall, we aim for translation of our experimental/clinical findings into patient care and for an improvement of the quality of life in epilepsy patients.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Institute for Medical Immunology Augustenburger Platz 1

Research Focus

Our research interest focuses on the pathogenesis of autoimmune neuroinflammation. We aim to understand how the immune system, in particular its innate components, contributes to neurodegeneration or regulates inflammation, using the animal model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as well as ex vivo nerve cultures. Moreover, we have been working on the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic options (principally MR-based approaches) and on the identification of biomarkers for monitoring therapy response in neuroinflammation.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Mobile DNA, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

We work on mobile genetik DNA (Transposable elements, TEs). We have characterized the function of an ancient domesticated TE-deprived gene. This gene is expressed in the human cerebellum and appears to act as a neuroprotector. We find evidence that the dysregulation of this gene is associated with certain types of neurodegenerative diseases. This protein is also interacting with a ZN-finger protein, involved in global splicing. We are validating and deciperhing cellular mechanisms

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

External and internal stimuli constantly change neuronal circuits. Ultimately, these stimuli manifest as electrical neuronal activity. These neuronal activity patterns generate long-lasting structural and functional changes affecting neuronal input and output at the individual neuron level. A central transducer between electrical activity and long-lasting neuronal changes is the calcium molecule, which serves as a biophysical charge carrier and a biochemical intracellular second messenger. At the cellular level, we focus on understanding how activity-related calcium signals affect plasticity and the development of synapses and neuronal circuits. Our in vivo work applies calcium as a proxy for neuronal activity. We use miniaturized head-mounted microscopy to analyze neuronal circuit activity in freely moving mice. We focus on the hippocampal-entorhinal formation and the olfactory cortex, with research questions related to plasticity, learning, and the sensory representation of food intake.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, NeuroCure, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our everyday experience of the world is enabled by the interplay of large populations of neurons that are distributed across the brain. To understand their function, we need to study brain circuits with single cell resolution across large parts of the nervous system. This has long been extremely challenging in vertebrates due to their size and opacity. We are a group of neuroscientists, engineers, biologists and physicists who work on two complementary strategies to address this challenge and investigate brain-wide circuits. First, we develop optical methods to tackle tissue opacity and push the depth limits of microscopy. Second, we are establishing a new vertebrate model organism, Danionella translucida, which has the smallest known vertebrate brain and shows fascinating behavior. Keywords: distributed networks, two-photon microscopy, three-photon microscopy, population calcium imaging, zebrafish, danionella, model organism development, vertebrate communication, auditory circuits

Affiliation

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Phillipstr. 13, House 4, 10115 Berlin

Research Focus

Richard Kempter leads the research group Theoretical Neuroscience at the HU Berlin. Research focuses on the neural basis of learning and memory, and involves computational and mathematical modeling of synapses, neurons, and networks of neurons. Of particular interest is short-term and long-term plasticity in the auditory system and the hippocampus

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Medizinische Immunologie, Arbeitsbereich Chronobiologie, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group is engaged in understanding the molecular basics of the circadian clockwork in mammals and their impact on physiological and behavioral processes. We are studying the regulation of intracellular processes which generate circadian oscillations with biochemical, molecular- and cell-biological methods.

Affiliation

Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Research Focus

Our research focuses on the questions of how neuronal circuits in the brain are organized and how they process sensory information. We address these questions in the thalamocortical circuits of the mammalian visual system, using an integrative approach combining in vivo experiment , large-scale data analysis and computational modeling. Of particular interests are the principles underlying the functional organization of the visual system in species with and without cortical maps.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, and Department of Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

We are active in the field of experimental and clinical neurosciences. In particular, we focus on Immunological aspects of neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases, cell-autonomous mechanisms in neurodegeneration, biology of the microglia and the role of immune pathways in brain development.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

Sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia allow us to detect stimuli to the body surface that lead directly to the sensations such as touch and pain. We explore the genes that allow these neurons to transduce different types of stimuli. We study in detail the process of mechanotransduction which requires mechanosensitive ion channels. Discovery of mechanotransduction molecules and elucidating their role in health and disease is a central interest of my lab.

Affiliation

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Physics, AG Theory of Complex Systems and Neurophysics, Philipstr. 13, House 2, 10115 Berlin

Research Focus

We explore simplified biophysical models of the spontaneous activity and transmission of time-dependent signals in single nerve cells, in small populations and in recurrent networks of spiking neurons. In close collaboration with experimental groups, we focus on aspects related to the stochastic and nonlinear dynamics of neurons, such as spatial and temporal noise correlations, cellular and population-based mechanisms of information filtering, and the emergence of slow processes at the network level.

Affiliation

Leibniz Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

The Synapse Biology group focuses on elucidating the contribution of synaptic proteins to neuronal function and plasticity, and on deciphering synaptic disease mechanisms in brain disorders. We combine genetic manipulations in mouse models with electrophysiological and cell-type-specific biochemical tools to study the molecular composition and organization of synapses, with aim of understanding how these define synaptic function and dysfunction.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Ophthalmology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin

Research Focus

Experimental ophthalmology and TRP channel research
- Polymodal roles of transient receptor potential channels in the control of ocular function
- Ocular transient receptor potential channel function in health and disease
- Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential channels in corneal tissue layers and cells
- Transient receptor potential channels in uveal melanoma

Affiliation

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biology, AG Optobiology, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin

Research Focus

The overall aim of my lab is to understand what defines a dendritic compartment as a "plasticity unit". Our research questions are dealing with different levels of dendritic compartmentalization, namely, plasticity and stability at the single synapse level, biochemical communication between nearby spines and the molecular mechanisms leading to the dendritic asymmetry of pyramidal neurons. The role of the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton as well as trafficking rules controlling organelle transport and positioning are of particular interest.

Affiliation

Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

My research team aims to understand the principles underlying the spatial organization of organelles and macromolecules in the crowded environment of the synapses. We hypothesize that intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in proteins–low amino acid complexity sequences that do not fold into any stable secondary or tertiary structure—play an essential role in balancing the solubility with the spatial patterning. Interestingly, many proteins involved in the synaptic vesicle recycling contain long IDRs, and these proteins are often involved in neurodegeneration.

Affiliation

Technische Universität Berlin, Institute for Software Engineering and Theoretical Computer Science, Department for Machine Learning, Marchstr. 23, 10587 Berlin

Research Focus

Statistical learning theory (Support Vector Machines, Deep Neural Networks, Boosting), learning of nonstationarity data, fusion of structured heterogeneous multi-modal data, co-adaptation. Applications: MEG, EEG, NIRS, ECoG, EMG, Brain Computer Interfaces, computational neuroscience, computer vision, genomic data analysis, computational chemistry and atomistic simulations

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Neurophysiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our research focusses on olfactory memories in the fruit fly. The fruit fly has a relatively small yet complex enough brain and offers unrivaled genetic control and means of intervention allowing for studying neural activity at the level of single neurons. We combine anatomy, genetics, functional 2 photon imaging, electrophysiology, superresolution microscopy, and optogenetics with behavioral approaches to identify and tackle the circuits, synapses and the molecular basis of memory and reinforcement learning.

Affiliation

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

In my group we study the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter receptors. We study glutamate receptors in expression systems, and more recently, at central synapses. We employ electrophysiology, structural biology, optical methods and biochemistry to pursue diverse goals. We are interested to know how receptors are activated by glutamate, how their behaviour relates to cognition and memory storage and how we can control and visualize synaptic transmission with light.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Research Focus

In our lab, we use and develop methods of (explainable) machine learning to diagnose and characterize neurological and psychiatric diseases based on neuroimaging data. Whereas previous disease decoding approaches mostly relied on expert-based extraction of features in combination with standard classification algorithms and thus strongly depend on the choice of data representation, deep learning approaches, in particular convolutional neural networks, are capable of learning hierarchical information directly from raw imaging data.

Affiliation

Institute of Cell and Neurobiology Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

The neuronal dendritic tree is the site of information input and processing of the neuron. Defective formation or maturation of the dendritic tree is associated with cognitive defects in human neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from intellectual disability to neuropsychiatric conditions. We are interested in identifying the mechanisms that regulate the normal timing, extent and final maturation of the dendritic tree during development of the mammalian neocortex. Furthermore, we also investigate how defects in these mechanisms contribute to the development of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Neurophysiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our laboratory studies basic principles of synaptic transmission with a major focus on the process of neurotransmitter release. We use electrical and optical recording techniques to study synapses in their function and plasticity. We also use light and electron microscopy to study the structure of synapses and how these structures change during plastic events and under pathophysiological conditions.

Affiliation

Freie Universität Berlin Institut für Biologie, Verhaltensbiologie, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group researches the cellular and molecular neurobiology of learned behaviors, with the following major areas: - Cellular and molecular mechanisms of vocal communication and its disorders - Deep homologies in speech/language and animal communication; molecular evolution of gene networks relevant for vocal learning and its disorders - Mechanisms and functions of adult neurogenesis

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Research Center, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group is active in the field of cellular and systems neuroscience with the following major areas: *Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity *Modulation and development of synaptic transmission, plasticity, and neuronal networks *‘Synaptopathy’ and circuit dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

Affiliation

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Biology, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Philippstr. 13, House 4, 10115 Berlin

Research Focus

We investigate signal processing from single neurons to networks. In particular, we seek to understand how neurons are optimized for their computational task. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between intrinsic neuronal properties and the signaling mechanisms shaped by them, as well as their relevance for network behavior. The aim is to link the molecular level of ion channels to characteristics of neuronal firing, focusing on topics like spike-timing reliability, synchronization, information transfer, and energy efficiency.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

In our lab, we investigate the molecular basis of neurological disorders, with a primary focus on the genetic and molecular cascades underlying neurodevelopmental disturbances. We combine molecular genetics with pharmacological and imaging strategies to explore the function of selected neuronal proteins that have been implicated in autism or related diseases through human genetic studies. The aim is to contribute to our understanding of how these diverse proteins interact and regulate each other to influence neuron differentiation, synaptogenesis, and synaptic function and plasticity.

Affiliation

Freie Universität Berlin , Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie, Pharmazie, Institut für Biologie, Genetik, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin

Research Focus

The research of the Sigrist Laboratory has provided fundamental insights into the mechanims of how synapses assemble their particular protein architectures to disply their specific functions. Our group is known for the innovative use of new imaging techniques, particularly super-resolution light microscopy and intravital live imaging of synaptic protein dynamics. We currently establish causal links at the crossroads synapse biology and age-induced memory decline, a considerable medical and socioeconomic problem of our societies.

Affiliation

Experimental Ophthalmology, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Charite University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin

Research Focus

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a close interaction partner of photoreceptors and participates in visual function. As being part of the blood/retina barrier it establishes the immune privilege of the eye and is an interface to the body system. Changes in the function of the RPE ultimatively lead to retinal degeneration, among them the age-related macular degeneration represents on of most common causes for blindness in industrialized countries. We study mutation-dependent, immune-related and systemic-induced changes in RPE function that lead to loss of photoreceptors.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Charitéplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

We study ionic mechanisms of normal functioning and pathology in the CNS. Past and recent projects range from modulation of potassium currents of encephalitogenic T-lymphocytes, ionic currents in developing neurons in striatum and cortex, neuronal excitability changes by cytokines, to disease mechanisms in epilepsy or hypokinetic, rigid syndromes. Apart from content-based research, we have always been interested in emerging technical possibilities in electrophysiology, particularly in patch clamping.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell and Neurobiology, Charitéplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

We are interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate specification in the mouse cerebral cortex. We focus on the mechanisms controlling the generation, migration and axonal guidance of neurons of different cortical layers and areas. Our methods combine genetic, molecular and cell biological approaches to identify and characterize genes that control cortical development.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Integrative Neuroanatomy, Virchowweg 6, CCM, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Keywords: Neuroanatomy, Electrophysiology, Hippocampus, Cortex, GABAergic inhibition, Interneurons, Neuronal networks The primary interest of our lab is the relationship between the anatomical and physiological characteristics of interneurons and their functions in cortical networks. We focus on the hippocampus, a brain area essential for learning and memory and often affected in neurological and psychiatric disorders of the brain (e.g. epilepsy, Alzheimer disease). Furthermore, with its relatively simple structure, the hippocampus is considered as a model (blueprint) for more complex neocortical circuits. Our experimental approach involve in vitro electrophysiological recording techniques, morphological and immunocytochemical analysis, and computational modeling.

Affiliation

Deutsches Zentrum fuer Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Standort Berlin c/o Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Chariteplatz 1 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

In neurodegenerative diseases and aging, misfunction and aggregation of proteins are common pathological incidents. One of the pathological and neurotoxic key players in Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases is the tau protein. In my group we use a wide spectrum of experimental methodologies and techniques (biophysical, biochemical, cell culture and animal models, and postmortem human brain) to investigate both the normal function(s) and novel toxicity mechanisms of tau in the brain. Current project line: condensed phases of tau, nuclear pore interaction, selective neuronal vulnerability

Affiliation

Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin

Research Focus

What are the functional contributions of defined cellular units to specific visual behaviors? Using Drosophila, we address this problem at multiple levels: 1). We describe the factors specifying particular neuronal cell fates and their morphology. 2). We characterize the necessity of these cells in the behaving animal, using molecular genetic circuit breaking tools. 3). We visualize their responses using genetically encoded activity indicators. Together, these synergistic experiments reveal the functional connectivity within different neuronal circuits informing distinct visual behaviors.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

We investigate orphan endocytic receptors in the nervous system to elucidate their relevance for development and functional integrity of the brain. Currently, we focus on a unique class of neuronal lipoprotein receptors, termed sortilins that emerge as major risk factors in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Using transgenic mouse and iPSC-derived human cell models, we study the molecular mechanisms of receptor action in brain (patho)physiology and develop therapeutic strategies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

Stem cells are the cellular substrate for development and therefore our starting point for studying the design principles of the brain. We explore the regulatory terrain occupied by neuronal miRNAs, hoping to distill their molecular logic: how they are regulated and how they contribute to neural cell fates and functional maturation. We study novel miRNAs and their targets, employing molecular and cellular techniques: Protein-RNA and Protein-Protein interaction, iClip, Crispr/Cas, FACS, advanced imaging etc. on diverse models: ESC organoids, in utero electroporation and transgenic mice.

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neuropsychiatry at Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin

Research Focus

The overall goal of our research is to systematically evaluate epigenetic and gene expression changes in Huntington’s disease (HD) to identify the most critically-disrupted regulatory processes that are responsible for the aberrant gene expression patterns in HD. These processes become candidates for therapeutic testing in HD and potentially in other central nervous system conditions with converging pathogenic mechanisms. For this goal, our lab applies a combination of genome-wide DNA sequencing technologies with mechanistic and functional approaches to in vitro and mouse models of disease.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

The execution of coordinated movements depends on the ability to dynamically adapt motor plans to external conditions and perturbations. Spinal circuits integrate motor commands and sensory information in order to generate precise patterns of muscle activation. The detection of different sensory stimuli and their integration with descending commands from the brain and local spinal networks is therefore critical for motor control. Our laboratory studies the mechanisms controlling assembly and function of spinal sensorimotor circuits by combining mouse genetics, anatomical tracing, and behavioral approaches to reveal how these circuits are first organized during development and then function in controlling movement and coding of sensory information.

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin, Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Research Focus

Our group focuses on the gene regulatory mechanisms driving early nervous system development. Using Drosophila as a model organism, we focus on how the nervous system primordium is established with in the embryo, how this primordium subdivides and specifies into territories, and how these territories bring forth distinct sets of neuroblasts, which proliferate and differentiate. We utilize a systems approach by combining genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics techniques to understand gene regulation with temporal and tissue specificity in early development.