GRK 255:  Signal Transduction in the Nervous System and its Pathology

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine ; Medicine
• Term: from 1996 to 2004
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 271315

The aim of this research training group is to offer an interdisciplinaryeducation in the scientific disciplines molecular medicine, biochemistry and biology. The research centers on projects concerning signal transduction in the nervous system both as communication between cells and as signaling cascades from the cell surface to the interior of the cell. Special emphasis is given to study signal transduction not only in the normal state, but also in the diseased nervous system. In addition to learning how to pursue independent research, the students have the opportunity to participate in joint seminars, lectures, colloquia and practical courses and thus acquire interdisciplinary knowledge outside their narrow research field in molecular neurobiology and neuropathology in general. Especially important is the exchange of ideas and methods of students with molecular backgrounds with supervisors in clinically orienteddisciplines and of medical students with experts in molecular biology. The improved curriculum should contribute to broaden the individual student's horizon, lead to faster progress in the research projects, and thus allow students to obtain their degrees faster and at a younger age.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Spokesperson: Professorin Dr. Melitta Schachner
• Participating Researchers: Privatdozent Dr. Ingolf Bach; Professorin Dr. Christiane K. Bauer; Professor Dr. Thomas J. Jentsch; Professor Dr. Georg W. Mayr; Professor Dr. Dietmar Richter; Professorin Dr. H. Chica Schaller (†); Professor Dr. Jürgen R. Schwarz; Professor Dr. Manfred Westphal; Professor Dr. Klaus Bernd Wiedemann