Coordination Funds

• Applicant: Professor Gerhard Martin Schratt, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255237189

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression in the nervous system throughout evolution. This Priority Program aims at identifying the functionally relevant ncRNA-target interactions, the underlying molecular mechanisms of regulation and the causal links to major neurological disease. This will be achieved by a mutlidisciplinary approach, combining basic and clinically-oriented research. A focus will be on recently ¿emerging¿ non-coding RNAs with a documented gene regulatory function (miRNAs, endo-siRNA, piRNAs, lincRNAs). To address ncRNA function and regulation as a function of the spatiotemporal context, investigations will be performed at various stages of nervous system development to adulthood (neural stem cell maintenance, reprogramming and differentiation; synapse formation, development and plasticity; higher order processing, cognition and behavior). Various complexity levels will be considered, from molecular machineries via individual cells to the circuit level. The inclusion of multiple model organisms (e.g. fly, zebrafish, mouse) in the program will further allow to obtain insight into the conservation and evolution of ncRNA mechanisms. Mechanistic projects will focus on the interplay between ncRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and its role in the regulation of ncRNA biogenesis and function. Ideally, individual projects combine functional readouts (morphology, physiology, behavior) with state-of-the-art molecular biology (e.g massive parallel sequencing), biochemical (e.g. PAR-CLIP, quantitative proteomics) and/or bioinformatics/systems biology (e.g. pathway analysis, ncRNA target prediction) approaches. Therefore, collaboration between participating groups of the program is strongly encouraged.An important goal of the Priority Program is to create synergies between researchers on the national level and to improve the international visibility of the German non-coding RNA resarch community. At the same time, the development of junior researchers will be fostered and significant measures for equal opportunity will be taken. The primary goals of this coordination project are therefore an efficient coordination of research activities (steering committee, secretary), the support of networking activities between the participating research groups (exchange programs, annual retreat, methodological workshops), promotion of national and international visibility (homepage, international symposium), the training and support of junior researchers (summer school, start-up funds), as well as the creation of equal opportunities for female researchers (mentoring program, childcare, replacement due to materniy leave). Funds requested within this coordination project (cf. specific modules) will contribute to form a highly efficient, internationally visible consortium from an agglomerate of scientists with common research interests.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1738: Emerging Roles of Non-Coding RNAs in Nervous System Development, Plasticity and Disease
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. André Fischer; Professorin Dr. Magdalena Götz; Professor Dr. Michael Kiebler