Mechanisms of CNS Diseases

Dr. Frank Weise
Group Leader Molecular- und Neurobiology

+49 7121 51530-56

E-Mail

anzeigen

Prof. Dr. Hansjürgen Volkmer
Head of Pharma & Biotech

+49 7121 51530-44

E-Mail

anzeigen

Deciphering disease mechanisms and drug development for the central nervous system

Diseases of the nervous system are often very complex and cannot be clearly traced to a single cause. To understand the pathomechanisms behind these diseases, we aim to identify individual molecular mechanisms that interact with others in the development of brain diseases. Our focus is on mechanisms involved in the organization of synapses and the function of neuronal networks, as several CNS diseases are related to synaptic dysfunction, such as age-related, neurodegenerative diseases as well as anxiety disorders. Influences on synaptic organization at intact neuronal networks are studied in vivo and correlated in behavioral experiments in cooperation with external partners. Molecular pathomechanisms are investigated using primary neuronal cultures available for drug testing in vitro.

Projects

• VIDA: Bioinformatics, biophysical and cell biology methods to reduce the failure rate of clinical drug candidates
• A-ADAM: An enhanced model of Alzheimer's disease for drug development
• Drephos: Three-dimensional electrophysiological and optogenetic systemsme
• Decipher: Systems for drug development for depression and pain
• Mitomodels: Models for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, drug development based on the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis
• P2DS - Development of a novel predictive preclinical methodology for drug testing
• The contribution of metaplasticity to stress-related psychopathologies within the amygdala