GRK 2660:  Neural mechanisms of (mal)adaptive approach and avoidance behaviour

• Subject Area: Neurosciences ; Psychology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433490190

The proposed RTG 2660 aims at a better understanding of the two fundamental behavioural patternsapproach and avoidance (AA). By bringing together principal investigators with psychological,psychiatric and neurobiological backgrounds and research foci, this RTG explores AA behaviour onmultiple descriptive, interferential and analytical levels. The RTG’s research framework is structuredinto three different project areas: Project area A addresses the circuit basis for switches from avoidanceto approach in the context of fear and anxiety and how these circuits may be (dys)regulated in patientgroups. Area B asks how context, molecular and neurodevelopmental processes control AA behaviourduring conflict situations, from a psychological-behavioural and clinical perspective as well as usinggenetic mouse models. Area C focuses on a particularly important determinant of AA behaviour in miceand humans, i.e. the modulation of AA by social factors. The design of all three project areasemphasizes translation of findings from basic to applied research and from animal models towardshumans. Furthermore, each project area integrates descriptive investigations of fundamental processeswith perturbational approaches to modulate neural and/or behavioural outcomes, thus paving the wayfor the development of clinical applications.The RTG team consists of well-established leaders in the field and dynamic newcomers thus combiningscientific and supervision expertise with innovative new approaches. From the start, PhD students areactively involved in steering their scientific track, e.g., by choosing their own project rather than beingassigned to one. While there will be a focus on scientific skills and excellence, PhD students will alsoreceive a broad education on research methods and important soft skills. The RTG’s comprehensive educational programme will lay the foundation for a new generation of scientists with both state-of-theartresearch skills in a specific area and broad insights into approaches and methods used in the largerresearch field. Based on this combination of interdisciplinary experience and excellent research skillsin a particular field, PhD students are enabled to translate basic molecular, cellular and circuitmechanisms to human conditions and clinical applications. This comprehensive qualification willprovide an excellent basis for a future career in innovative and competitive academic institutions or nonacademicfields.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Esther Silke Asan; Professorin Dr. Grit Hein; Professorin Dr. Andrea Kübler; Professor Dr. Klaus-Peter Lesch; Professor Dr. Paul Pauli; Dr. Andrea Reiter; Professor Dr. Marcel Romanos; Professorin Dr. Angelika Schmitt-Böhrer; Professorin Dr. Claudia Sommer; Professor Dr. Philip Tovote
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Matthias Gamer, since 10/2020