Research Groups

 

DFG funds autophagy research network - 11 million € for establishing a new Collaborative Research Centre


Scientists from Frankfurt and Mainz have successfully applied for funding to establish a Collaborative Research Centre (CRC)/Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB) on the molecular mechanisms of selective autophagy. Autophagy literally means "self-eating" and describes a process by which the cell recycles harmful ballast like aggregated proteins, damaged organelles or even bacterial invaders. The centre will be funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with 11 million € for the next four years. The initiative is led by the former BMLS director Ivan Dikic, and is the first large-scale collaborative network in Germany in this highly competitive field.

Several BMLS members including Volker Dötsch, Anja Bremm, Stefan Knapp and Christian Pohl are part of the core of scientists from Goethe University within the network. Other partners are the University Medical Centre in Mainz, the Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt and the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz.

The set-up of the CRC follows a longterm strategic investment in autophagy research by the participating institutions. The funding by the DFG will now give a powerful impetus for the network, also strengthening the position of the Rhine Main scientists on the international stage.

More information on the CRC/SFB can be found under www.SFB1177.de.