Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience

The institutes research focuses on cross-scale cell- and neuro-biological issues. Our work ranges from the recording, characterization, and analysis of biological processes at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels to physical-mathematical modeling. Our goal is to conduct experiments under conditions that are as close to nature as possible. In addition to working with model organisms, we are increasingly using cysts, spheroids, and organoids that can be generated using suitable cell culture methods. 

Three questions are at the forefront: (1) How do genes and gene products interact during the development of an organism? What are the consequences of changes in interactions at the metabolic and morphological levels? (2) How are organs formed in the course of an organism's development? (3) What interaction between learning and behavior can be traced back to cellularly detectable processes, and how is it coordinated?

At the molecular level, our work ranges from the exploration of genomes, genes and proteins across the tree of life using modern computational methods to the characterization of protein function and interaction networks in different organisms. At the cellular level, we investigate how cells coordinate to form organs during development, but also the regulation of vesicular membrane transport between organelles. In this context, we are particularly interested in molecular mechanisms underlying pathological conditions. One focus here is on neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. We are attempting to understand the plasticity of the central nervous system, including the role of cell-cell communication between neurons and between neurons and glial or vascular cells. Studies on the behavior of zoo animals with a focus on animal welfare aspects, chronobiology, and environmental enrichment round off the institute's research spectrum.