Institute of Cell Biology & Neuroscience

institut-zn

Research

At present, seven of the Institute's departments are investigating neurobiological and cell biological problem complexes on animals as well as on animal and human cells. One department with a bioinformatic focus belongs to the Institute, as does the Institute of Apiology (Oberursel), which is jointly supported by the Polytechnical Society and the Faculty of Biological Sciences; two departments are members of the Excellence Cluster Macromolecular Complexes of the Goethe University.

The research spectrum ranges from cellular genetics and molecular neuronal mechanisms to physiology and pharmacology up to behavioural investigations in humans and animals. For example, processes of cellular communication and disturbances such as those occurring in tumour growth are at the research focus. An additional focus is synaptic processes, the neogenesis of synapses and the role of extracellular nucleotides for neuronal information processing.

Learning process and their pharmacological bases are investigated, e.g., on simple insect models. Investigations on the transformation of sensorial stimuli into neuronal potential changes are also part of this research. Bioacustical, neurophysiological and cognitive mechanisms of sensory processing are analyses just as are pathological forms of processing, for example, tinnitus

Teaching

The Institute's work groups participate in the Bachelor's Study Programme in Biological Sciences, the teacher training courses of study as well as in the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes in Bioinformatics. Beyond this, the institute organises the Master's Programme in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience as well as the one in Cell Biology and Physiology.

Methods

The Institute's staff performs experimental investigations on different organisms and cell cultural models. Genetically modified mice are also employed. The development of scientific methods is another focus. Thus, for example, the newest techniques of optical biophysics and microscopy are designed; they are and will be of great importance for the investigation of cellular and developmental process.

Co-operations

The Institute maintains extensive international co-operations as well as an institute's partnership with the Cuban University of Havana. The SciMento is organised by the institute; this is a state-wide mentoring programme for women PhD students and young women postdocs.

.

Teaching at the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience

The institute organizes the two international master's programs Interdisciplinary Neuroscience and Physical Biology of Cells and Cell Interactions. In addition, the institute's research groups are involved in the bachelor's degree course in biological sciences, the teacher training courses and the bachelor's and master's courses in bioinformatics.

Master Programs

Other courses of study in which the institute is involved

The colloquia usually take place every 14 days. Further information will be available here on the website shortly. The events all take place in a lecture hall in the Biologicum on the Riedberg campus.

> Your way to Campus Riedberg

Institute for Molecular Biosciences

Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity


We also recommend the colloquia of the Institutes for "Ecology, Evolution and Diversity" and "Molecular Biosciences" as well as the lectures offered by the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (BiK-F).

The following dates are planned by the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience for the summer semester 2024:

21.05.2024 - Martha Havenith

04.06.2024 - Oliver Glomb

02.07.2024 - Marie Breau

16.07.2024 - Franziska Zölzer


Further details can be found on this website soon.


2024, February - Kössl lab

FAZ-article from Feb 27, 2024: Das Stammhirn kann mehr als gedacht 

Uni Report article from Feb 22, 2024: Neurobiology: How bats distinguish different sounds

Reference is made to the research of AK Kössl, citing the publication:


Deviance Detection to Natural Stimuli in Population Responses of the Brainstem of Bats

Johannes Wetekam, Julio Hechavarría, Luciana López-Jury, Eugenia González-Palomares and Manfred Kössl

Journal of Neuroscience 28 February 2024, 44 (9) e1588232023; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1588-23.2023


2024, February - Hefendehl lab:

The MICRO-BLEEDs consortium, convened at Goethe University on February 22-23, comprises a distinguished panel of experts in the field of cerebral small-vessel diseases and brain cell function. 

The consortium includes (left to right) Prof. Ravi Rungta from University Montreal, Prof. Michela Matteoli from Humanitas University Milan, Prof. Gabor Petzold from DZNE Bonn, Prof. Pablo Blinder from Tel Aviv University (not in photo) and Prof. Jasmin Hefendehl (speaker of the consortium, Goethe University).

Led by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers, MICRO-BLEEDs aims to shed light on the molecular pathways contributing to CMB-induced brain damage. Of particular interest are the brain's resident immune cells, microglia, and the microglial gene TREM2, known to play a pivotal role in brain health. By leveraging advanced technologies and mouse models of CMBs, the consortium seeks to elucidate how TREM2 activation influences microglial function, blood vessel dynamics, synaptic activity, and overall brain health.

Moreover, MICRO-BLEEDs endeavors to explore the therapeutic potential of TREM2-targeted antibodies in ameliorating CMB-induced damage. By identifying novel targets for CMB prevention and treatment, the consortium aims to pave the way for future clinical trials, ultimately striving to improve outcomes for individuals affected by CMBs.


2024, February - Lecaudey lab:

After successfully finishing his master degree in the PBioC Master, Lucas Desruelles joined the Lecaudey Lab to start his PhD. at the beginning of February 2024!


2023 - Hiller lab:

ERC Synergy Grant for Michael Hiller.

The 6-year ERC funded project BATPROTECT will use bats as natural models of healthy aging and disease tolerance to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind bat's exceptional longevity and resistance to viral and age-related diseases. BATPROTECT brings together a team of experts in bat biology, immunology, virology, evolution, genomics, and ageing model organisms that will jointly investigate aging and immune responses in bats, discover genes with evolutionary importance for longevity and disease resistance, and functionally validate longevity and immune regulators. The ultimate goal is to uncover new directions to improve human healthspan and disease outcome. 
institut-zn

Research

At present, seven of the Institute's departments are investigating neurobiological and cell biological problem complexes on animals as well as on animal and human cells. One department with a bioinformatic focus belongs to the Institute, as does the Institute of Apiology (Oberursel), which is jointly supported by the Polytechnical Society and the Faculty of Biological Sciences; two departments are members of the Excellence Cluster Macromolecular Complexes of the Goethe University.

The research spectrum ranges from cellular genetics and molecular neuronal mechanisms to physiology and pharmacology up to behavioural investigations in humans and animals. For example, processes of cellular communication and disturbances such as those occurring in tumour growth are at the research focus. An additional focus is synaptic processes, the neogenesis of synapses and the role of extracellular nucleotides for neuronal information processing.

Learning process and their pharmacological bases are investigated, e.g., on simple insect models. Investigations on the transformation of sensorial stimuli into neuronal potential changes are also part of this research. Bioacustical, neurophysiological and cognitive mechanisms of sensory processing are analyses just as are pathological forms of processing, for example, tinnitus

Teaching

The Institute's work groups participate in the Bachelor's Study Programme in Biological Sciences, the teacher training courses of study as well as in the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes in Bioinformatics. Beyond this, the institute organises the Master's Programme in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience as well as the one in Cell Biology and Physiology.

Methods

The Institute's staff performs experimental investigations on different organisms and cell cultural models. Genetically modified mice are also employed. The development of scientific methods is another focus. Thus, for example, the newest techniques of optical biophysics and microscopy are designed; they are and will be of great importance for the investigation of cellular and developmental process.

Co-operations

The Institute maintains extensive international co-operations as well as an institute's partnership with the Cuban University of Havana. The SciMento is organised by the institute; this is a state-wide mentoring programme for women PhD students and young women postdocs.

.

Teaching at the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience

The institute organizes the two international master's programs Interdisciplinary Neuroscience and Physical Biology of Cells and Cell Interactions. In addition, the institute's research groups are involved in the bachelor's degree course in biological sciences, the teacher training courses and the bachelor's and master's courses in bioinformatics.

Master Programs

Other courses of study in which the institute is involved

The colloquia usually take place every 14 days. Further information will be available here on the website shortly. The events all take place in a lecture hall in the Biologicum on the Riedberg campus.

> Your way to Campus Riedberg

Institute for Molecular Biosciences

Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity


We also recommend the colloquia of the Institutes for "Ecology, Evolution and Diversity" and "Molecular Biosciences" as well as the lectures offered by the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (BiK-F).

The following dates are planned by the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience for the summer semester 2024:

21.05.2024 - Martha Havenith

04.06.2024 - Oliver Glomb

02.07.2024 - Marie Breau

16.07.2024 - Franziska Zölzer


Further details can be found on this website soon.


2024, February - Kössl lab

FAZ-article from Feb 27, 2024: Das Stammhirn kann mehr als gedacht 

Uni Report article from Feb 22, 2024: Neurobiology: How bats distinguish different sounds

Reference is made to the research of AK Kössl, citing the publication:


Deviance Detection to Natural Stimuli in Population Responses of the Brainstem of Bats

Johannes Wetekam, Julio Hechavarría, Luciana López-Jury, Eugenia González-Palomares and Manfred Kössl

Journal of Neuroscience 28 February 2024, 44 (9) e1588232023; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1588-23.2023


2024, February - Hefendehl lab:

The MICRO-BLEEDs consortium, convened at Goethe University on February 22-23, comprises a distinguished panel of experts in the field of cerebral small-vessel diseases and brain cell function. 

The consortium includes (left to right) Prof. Ravi Rungta from University Montreal, Prof. Michela Matteoli from Humanitas University Milan, Prof. Gabor Petzold from DZNE Bonn, Prof. Pablo Blinder from Tel Aviv University (not in photo) and Prof. Jasmin Hefendehl (speaker of the consortium, Goethe University).

Led by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers, MICRO-BLEEDs aims to shed light on the molecular pathways contributing to CMB-induced brain damage. Of particular interest are the brain's resident immune cells, microglia, and the microglial gene TREM2, known to play a pivotal role in brain health. By leveraging advanced technologies and mouse models of CMBs, the consortium seeks to elucidate how TREM2 activation influences microglial function, blood vessel dynamics, synaptic activity, and overall brain health.

Moreover, MICRO-BLEEDs endeavors to explore the therapeutic potential of TREM2-targeted antibodies in ameliorating CMB-induced damage. By identifying novel targets for CMB prevention and treatment, the consortium aims to pave the way for future clinical trials, ultimately striving to improve outcomes for individuals affected by CMBs.


2024, February - Lecaudey lab:

After successfully finishing his master degree in the PBioC Master, Lucas Desruelles joined the Lecaudey Lab to start his PhD. at the beginning of February 2024!


2023 - Hiller lab:

ERC Synergy Grant for Michael Hiller.

The 6-year ERC funded project BATPROTECT will use bats as natural models of healthy aging and disease tolerance to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind bat's exceptional longevity and resistance to viral and age-related diseases. BATPROTECT brings together a team of experts in bat biology, immunology, virology, evolution, genomics, and ageing model organisms that will jointly investigate aging and immune responses in bats, discover genes with evolutionary importance for longevity and disease resistance, and functionally validate longevity and immune regulators. The ultimate goal is to uncover new directions to improve human healthspan and disease outcome. 

Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Birgit Klingelhöfer
Office of Executive Director

Biologicum, Campus Riedberg
Section A, Room 2.123
Max-von-Laue-Str. 13
60439 Frankfurt am Main
Germany 

T +49 69 798-42000

izn-office@bio.uni-frankfurt.de

Contact

Executive Director:
Prof. Dr. Virginie Lecaudey

Deputy Executive Director: Prof. Dr. Ingo Ebersberger