GRK 2381:  cGMP: From Bedside to Bench

• Subject Area: Medicine ; Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 335549539

Doctoral researchers of the RTG 2381 "cGMP: From Bedside to Bench" investigate the signaling molecule cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Several drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders target the cGMP pathway. The latest findings suggest that cGMP-modulating drugs can be used even more widely. The major goal of our junior scientists is to increase our understanding of cGMP signaling in healthy and disease states in multiple cell- and tissue-types. The current proposal builds on our positive experience obtained during the first funding period. We do not plan major changes of the research and training program. The RTG 2381 proposed for the second funding period will be a collaborative network of nine scientific projects involving six professors and three group leaders at the University of Tübingen. The PIs reside in seven institutes at the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Medicine, and the University Hospital. They represent a wide spectrum of disciplines and approaches. This assures a broad scientific approach with multiple perspectives. However, all partners of our RTG share a strong interest in deciphering the functions, (patho-)biology, and therapeutic potential of cGMP. Like in the first funding period, we are planning to train an international and diverse group of 18 doctoral researchers and a similar number of RTG-associated junior scientists. An important element of the RTG 2381 is its strong international dimension. Each doctoral researcher will be co-mentored by a PI from abroad (mostly Boston) and will visit the partner laboratory for three months. Using state-of-the-art techniques and transgenic mouse models (developed by members of the RTG), fellows will gain critical new insights into cGMP’s role in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. They will not only elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind cGMP-based therapies currently used in the clinics. RTG projects will also define novel functions for cGMP pathways in different cell types and, thereby, identify novel indications as well as potential side effects of cGMP-modulating drugs. Based on an environment of scientific excellence, intensive co-mentoring, and a highly interactive and structured training program in multi-disciplinary skills and critical thinking, doctoral researchers of the RTG 2381 will be well-prepared for the challenges of the job market in academia and industry.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Participating Institution: Harvard University ; Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital; Queen Mary University of London; Tufts University ; School of Medicine; Boston University ; School of Medicine; Washington University ; School of Medicine; University of Illinois at Chicago
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Robert Feil
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Thomas Euler; Dr. Susanne Feil; Dr. Judith Feucht; Professor Dr. Meinrad Paul Gawaz; Professorin Dr. Marlies Knipper; Professor Dr. Robert Lukowski; Privatdozent Dr. Hannes Schmidt; Professor Dr. Tilman Schäffer