GRK 1029:  Functional Genome research in veterinary medicine

• Subject Area: Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine
• Term: from 2005 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 373690

After the whole genome sequences have become available for man and mouse, the functional analysis of genes and gene networks is the next important era of genome research. This requires a broader spectrum of technologies and methods as compared to classical sequencing projects. In addition to standard methods for morphological and functional phenotyping of in vivo and in vitro model systems, systematic approaches for holistic screens of gene activities at the level of messenger RNA (transcriptomics) and proteins (proteomics) are needed. The analysis of gene functions will play a pivotal role in future livestock breeding programmes and it can be envisaged that functional genome research will offer new research strategies for animal diseases in general. It is the aim of this Research Training Group to bring together top graduates from the disciplines veterinary medicine, medicine, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy or agriculture, and to provide them with in-depth training in this forward-looking field of biomedical research. The research programme is based on existing and fruitful collaborations between members of the veterinary faculty and groups of the Munich Gene Centre in the fields of "diabetes models" and "growth & differentiation". Although the research programme is focussed on these two areas, the spectrum of methods and of investigated species (mouse, pig, dog, cattle, chicken), and the interdisciplinary approach (molecular animal breeding, animal breeding, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacy, internal medicine, laboratory animal sciences, food hygiene, and psycholinguistics) provide a broad basis for excellent research and training. Thus, the research and training programme of this Research Training Group is highly suitable to improve the career advancement of young scientists, and to create new structures in this important area.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Bernhard Aigner; Dr. Georg Josef Arnold; Professor Dr. Mansour El-Matbouli; Professor Dr. Johannes Handler; Professorin Dr. Katrin Hartmann; Professor Dr. Erwin Märtlbauer; Professor Dr. Marlon Roberto Schneider; Professor Dr. Fred Sinowatz; Professor Dr. Rüdiger Wanke; Professor Dr. Eckhard Wolf
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Bernd Kaspers