GRK 2578:  Impact of genotoxins on the differentiation efficacy of murine and human stem and progenitor cells and functional competence of thereof derived differentiated progeny

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2021
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 417677437

The RTG combines local scientific expertises in a multidisciplinary center of research and education in the field of toxicology. The research program has the following objectives: (i) analysis of differentiation-dependent alterations of factors that determine the susceptibility of stem (SC) and progenitor cells (PC) to genotoxins; (ii) Investigation of the impact of prototypical genotoxins on the efficacy and accuracy of the differentiation process. The RTG aims for an in-depth characterization of the complex stress responses of SC/PC and the differentiated progeny following genotoxic insults. In practice, the effects of genotoxins will be analyzed regarding cellular viability and differentiation efficacy of SC/PC as well as the functionality of the differentiated progeny using various murine and human in vitro models. The implementation of various test systems and well-defined genotoxins together with an extensive analysis of relevant end points will effectively foster multidisciplinary knowledge acquisition in stem cell-related toxicology. As a result of the networked scientific concept, appreciable synergistic effects are anticipated that favor both knowledge in basic research and future development of translational concepts. We expect that the RTG will substantially promote the advancement of “integrated toxicological test systems” (ITS), which aim to reduce animal-based toxicity testings (3R-principle).The multidisciplinary RTG communicates consolidated theoretical knowledge and substantial practical expertise in interdisciplinary areas of toxicology. It provides a qualified advanced training of the internationally recruited students in major fields of modern and future-oriented toxicology. The training program initiates the advanced qualifying education of the doctorate students to (European Registered Toxicologist). The RTG will expand and further solidify the pre-existing toxicological education at the HHU, as represented by the NRW master study course “Toxicology” and, hence, provides a nationwide unique up-to-date platform for qualified education in toxicology. The RTG links the main areas of research established at the medical faculty and implements the aims of the developmental plan of the HHU. It encompasses the university´s core areas “education” and “basic/applied research” and will guarantee the qualification of highly competent graduates with an excellent and comprehensive understanding of interdisciplinary aspects of modern toxicology.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Participating Institution: IUF - Leibniz-Institut für umweltmedizinische Forschung gGmbH
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Gerhard Fritz
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. James Adjaye; Professor Dr. Orhan Aktas; Privatdozent Dr. Carsten Berndt; Professor Dr. Sascha Dietrich, since 4/2024; Professorin Dr. Ellen Fritsche, until 1/2024; Dr. Christiane B. Knobbe-Thomsen, until 10/2023; Professorin Dr. Gesine Kögler; Professor Dr. Georg Pongratz; Professor Dr. Andreas Reichert; Professorin Dr. Christine R. Rose; Professor Dr. Tobias Ruck, since 4/2024; Dr. Thomas Schroeder, until 2/2023; Privatdozentin Dr. Nicole Schupp; Professor Dr. Björn Stork; Professor Dr. Sebastian Wesselborg