EXC 1010:  Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)

• Subject Area: Neurosciences
• Term: from 2012 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 194407705

Systems neurology is an emerging field that aims to unravel the pathomechanistic networks underlying neurological diseases. To accomplish this, systems neurology uses an integrative approach that bridges the traditional boundaries between research into different neurological diseases, such as neurodegenerative, inflammatory and vascular conditions. The Cluster of Excellence SyNergy aims to establish a scientific and structural framework to further develop Munich as a centre of systems neurology in Europe. The Cluster of Excellence focusses on exploring the junctions between traditionally separated mechanisms of neurological disease, for example, by asking how inflammation affects neurodegeneration; how microvascular damage and neurodegenerative pathology intersect; and how invading immune cells interact with the glio-vascular unit. SyNergy establishes a collaborative network between scientists who currently focus on individual neurological conditions and researchers who use systems approaches that are capable of generating comprehensive data sets of underlying pathomechanistic changes. To foster these collaborations, SyNergy funds "Tandem Projects" between two or more researchers that link "horizontally" between different pathomechanisms and/or "vertically" from basic research towards clinical translation. "SyNergy Professors" were recruited to integrate outstanding scientists with special expertise in the "nexus" areas between different pathomechanisms. Additionally, special efforts are made to train and support young clinician-scientists in systems neurology. In its efforts, the Cluster of Excellence builds on the unique infrastructure in neurology, neuroscience and systems biology present in Munich, and on a number of infrastructure and recruitment initiatives already underway at both Munich universities.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Co-Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Participating Institution: Helmholtz Zentrum München; Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt; Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie (MPIB); Max-Planck-Institut für Neurobiologie (MPIN) (aufgelöst); Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie; Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) ; Standort München
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Christian Haass
• Deputy: Professor Dr. Thomas Misgeld
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Florence Bareyre, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Martin Dichgans; Professorin Dr. Marianne Dieterich; Professor Dr. Dieter Edbauer; Professor Dr. Benedikt Grothe; Professorin Dr. Magdalena Götz; Professor Dr. Franz-Ulrich Hartl; Professor Dr. Bernhard Hemmer; Professor Dr. Jochen W. Herms; Professor Dr. Reinhard Hohlfeld; Professor Dr. Martin Kerschensteiner; Professor Dr. Rüdiger Klein; Professor Dr. Arthur Konnerth; Professor Dr. Thomas Korn; Professor Andreas Gerhard Ladurner, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Ute Lindauer; Professor Dr. Thomas Meitinger; Professor Dr. Hans-Werner Mewes; Professor Dr. Bertram Müller-Myhsok; Privatdozent Dr. Hans Ulrich Pohl; Professorin Dr. Juliane Winkelmann; Professorin Dr. Konstanze Winklhofer; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wurst