Göttingen

Focus on the child's nervous system

Göttingen

Focus on the child's nervous system

DZKJ – partner site Göttingen

The DZKJ partner site Göttingen is embedded in the Göttingen Campus, which has outstanding expertise in basic and translational neuroscientific research. The special infrastructures include human biomaterials and disease models of the central nervous system (CNS), innovative technological developments such as STED microscopy, real-time MRI and the therapeutic application of stem cells as well as an integrative research data infrastructure. The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, the German Primate Centre and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Natural Sciences are partner institutions of the University Medical Centre Göttingen.

Research profile

The Göttingen Campus has proven international expertise in neuroscientific translational research, ranging from basic principles to application. Building on the existing infrastructure and expertise, the two-year project funding phase aims to better understand pathomechanisms, improve diagnostics and develop approaches for new therapies for children and adolescents with neurological diseases. The focus is on recognising damage to the CNS at an early stage and curing it in the best possible way or preventing it from occurring in the first place.

The following objectives are pursued:

Identification of the mechanisms of CNS development and repair.
Research into the need for new diagnostics/biomarkers and the development of new approaches for drugs, cell and gene therapies.
Addressing cross-organ and cross-disease interfaces.
Pursuing a patient- and family-centred approach through involvement, participation and empowerment.

The participating scientists will contribute their expertise primarily to the following key research areas: CNS Development and Neurological Diseases; Rare Genetic Diseases; Obesity, Metabolism; Psychosocial Health, Mental Health and Data Management. The first cross-site infrastructures, such as data management, will be developed and applied in initial pilot projects. Young scientists with a special interest in child and adolescent health will be recruited and patients will be actively involved in the planning and development of research at the site.

The long-term goal is not only to improve diagnostics, but also to develop curative treatment strategies for serious, previously incurable diseases.
There are currently 27 DZKJ research groups working at the Göttingen partner site.

An overview of all PIs at the DZKJ can be found here.
Current vacancies at the DZKJ can be found here.