- The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding two new projects in the fields of medicine and anatomy.
- Two other transregional medical consortia are entering a further round of funding.
In the latest round of funding approvals by the German Research Foundation (DFG), LMU, together with its partner universities, has successfully secured funding for large research networks. A new CRC on the causes of neurovascular diseases will be established under the leadership of LMU as well as an SFB/Transregio on the properties and functions of desmosomes - with significant participation from LMU. Two other transregional medical consortia are entering a further round of funding.
University President Matthias Tschöp: "My congratulations! This is well-deserved recognition of the dedication of the researchers involved, and it sends an important signal to society: at LMU, we are researching the future. An SFB not only provides financial support but also serves as encouragement to continue thinking long-term. That is how major scientific questions can be answered."
Benedikt Grothe, Vice President for Natural and Life Sciences: "This once again demonstrates our excellence: through this funding for medical research at LMU, the DFG affirms the high scientific quality of our researchers at the highest level of international competitiveness. It attests to our colleagues' exceptional approaches and problem-solving capabilities."
The DFG-funded projects in detail:
How cells work together in the brain
Diseases of the brain's blood vessels - so-called neurovascular diseases - are the world's second most common cause of death and a major contributor to long-term disability and dementia. Yet, only few targeted treatment options are currently available.
The new CRC 1744 CCN in NVD (Compartmentalized Cellular Networks in Neurovascular Diseases) based at LMU aims to uncover the causes of these diseases and pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies. The CRC is jointly led by Prof. Martin Dichgans, Director of the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at LMU University Hospital, and Prof. Arthur Liesz, Head of the Stroke Immunology Laboratory (also ISD, LMU University Hospital). Both are also members of the Excellence Cluster SyNergy.
At the heart of the research initiative lies a fundamental insight: the brain is far more compartmentalized than previously thought. Within these distinct compartments, vascular, immune, and glial cells work together in finely tuned networks. These compartmentalized cellular networks (CCNs) are crucial for maintaining and protecting neurons - and may hold the key to understanding many neurovascular diseases.
When cells lack cohesion
To withstand mechanical stresses, epithelial cells in skin and mucous membranes in the digestive tract are held together by special cell-cell junctions known as desmosomes. In the new CRC/TRR 425 DEFINE (Desmosomal dysfunction in epithelial barriers), the researchers will investigate the different functions of desmosomes in these tissues and how dysfunctions of desmosomes affect human health.
In a next step, they plan to use their findings to develop targeted therapeutic strategies. Jens Waschke, Chair Professor of Anatomy I at LMU's Institute of Anatomy, is co-speaker. The new collaboration is coordinated by Marburg University. Also involved is the University of Würzburg.
Extended funding
LMU is also involved in SFB/TRR 205 The Adrenal: Central Relay in Health and Disease, which is based at Dresden University of Technology and will be continued for a further funding period.
The SFB/TRR 338 LETSIMMUN (Lymphocyte Engineering for Therapeutic Synthetic Immunity) will also be continued with the participation of LMU. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is the coordinating institution.
