GRK 2338:  Targets in Toxicology - Deciphering Therapeutic Targets in Lung Toxicology

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2018
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 321812289

Toxic inhalation hazards (TIH) released in occupational and industrial settings or terrorist scenarios are of utmost public concern. Because of their broad chemical reactivity and the lack of a common mechanism of action, resultant lung injury has been regarded as unspecific, addressable only by symptomatic treatment. However, recent years have witnessed a paradigm shift, because it has been appreciated that toxicants do not harm cells indiscriminately but are detected by distinct chemoreceptors that induce specific signalling pathways thereby mounting a cellular response. The conceptual overall objective of the Research Training Group (RTG) “Targets in Toxicology” is to acquire an in-depth mechanistic understanding of toxic lung injury to decipher new therapeutic targets that can be leveraged to establish the concept of “precision toxicology” in acute and chronic toxic lung injury. A qualification program that combines specialised training in lung pathophysiology with broad coverage of the whole discipline of toxicology has been implemented. The program is designed to attract highly talented graduates of life sciences or medicine. Best practise elements will come to bear in the training curriculum that is scientifically ambitious and aims at attaining professional competence. The educational backbone of the program offers a concise curriculum combining theoretical knowledge with methodological expertise, and research management strategies with teamwork skills in an academic setting. Doctoral candidates participate in the formal training program of the German Society of Toxicology to be eventually registered as certified toxicologists. A unique asset of the qualification program is a strong international network both in academia (Brisbane, Durham, Pittsburgh, New York) and in pharmaceutical and chemical industry (Roche) affording cutting edge internships and training opportunities. The RTG is incorporated into the Munich Medical Research School (MMRS) of the Medical Faculty of LMU Munich and successful graduates are formally be awarded a “PhD” complying with internationally accepted criteria or a “Dr. med.” degree. The continuing long-term goal of the RTG is even more up-to-date and relevant than before and aims at educating a new generation of highly qualified and competent toxicologists able to assume leading positions in academia, chemical and pharmaceutical industry as well as public administration and to face emerging societal challenges imposed by the continuously increasing chemical output.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Participating Institution: Comprehensive Pneumology Center; Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie der Bundeswehr; Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Thomas Gudermann
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Jürgen Behr; Professor Dr. Martin Biel; Professor Dr. Thomas Carell; Professor Dr. Alexander Dietrich; Professor Dr. Stefan Engelhardt; Professor Dr. Christian Michael Grimm; Privatdozentin Dr. Anne Hilgendorff, from 9/2018 until 9/2024; Professor Dr. Harald John; Professorin Dr. Mareike Lehmann; Professorin Dr. Annette Nicke; Dr. Herbert Schiller; Professor Dr. Martin Sos, since 9/2024; Privatdozentin Claudia Staab-Weijnitz, Ph.D., from 9/2018 until 2/2024; Privatdozent Dr. Georgios Stathopoulos, from 9/2018 until 7/2022; Professor Dr. Dirk Steinritz; Professorin Dr. Amanda Tufman, since 7/2022; Privatdozent Dr. Timo Wille; Professor Ali Önder Yildirim, Ph.D.