GRK 3109:  Cellular and Molecular Plasticity in the Cardiovascular System

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 537729752

The development of high-throughput technologies in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics and proteomics in combination with the ability to track cell differentiation in vivo (cell fate mapping) is currently revolutionizing our understanding of the cellular composition of organs and providing new insights into the cellular and molecular plasticity of cells down to the single cell level. In parallel with the advances in modern omics technologies, there has been rapid progress in the development of bioinformatics methods and applications that are essential for analyzing large data sets from omics experiments. Taken together, these developments have already led to the discovery of phenotypic variants of canonical cell types based on their transcriptional profiles. In addition, methods such as “trajectory inference” and “pseudotime analysis” promote the development of new models that explain cellular behavior under physiological and pathological conditions. Unbiased omics studies in combination with comprehensive bioinformatic analyses lead to new hypotheses on the dynamics of cellular changes and their profound effects on the function and dysfunction of organs. The International Research Training Group 3109 “Cellular and Molecular Plasticity in the Cardiovascular System” is designed as an international research and training network in cooperation between Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. The aim of the transatlantic network is to conduct fundamental research into novel mechanisms of cell plasticity in the cardiovascular system. The overarching hypothesis for all projects is that plastic modulation of the molecular repertoire of cells is associated with the development of novel cellular phenotypes that are of critical importance for organ function and dysfunction. The study of cellular differentiation and transition processes requires a broad spectrum of research skills ranging from in vivo and in vitro models of cardiovascular function and dysfunction, functional analysis of heart, vessels and cellular subtypes to the analysis of omics data using bioinformatics methods. We anticipate that our interdisciplinary research and training program will appeal to molecular and cell biologists with a strong interest in omics analysis on the one hand, and bioinformaticians seeking a deeper insight into biomedical research on the other.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: USA
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• IRTG-Partner Institution: University of Virginia Health System; Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Axel Gödecke
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Joachim Altschmied; Dr. Katharina Bottermann; Professorin Dr. Miriam Margherita Cortese-Krott; Professor Dr. Daniel Dörr; Professor Dr. Jens W. Fischer; Professorin Dr. Maria Grandoch; Professorin Dr. Judith Haendeler; Professorin Dr. Martina Krüger; Professor Dr. Eckhard Lammert; Professor Dr. Tobias Marschall; Professor Dr. Johannes Stegbauer
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Norbert Leitinger, Ph.D.