CellNetworks Cluster of Excellence

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The Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks at the University of Heidelberg in 2006 as part of the Excellence Initiative of the German Research Foundation granted one of the first excellence institutions in Germany. The first funding period was 5 years and ended in October 2011. On June 15, 2012 the DFG decided to extend the funding for a further 5 years. From 2017 to the end of 2019, the cluster has received two-year phase-out or bridging funding in the context of the Excellence Strategy.

It is an interdisciplinary research cluster in the field of life sciences, the full title of which is “From the analysis of molecular mechanisms to the quantitative understanding of complex functions”. In addition to institutes of the University of Heidelberg, the participating scientific institutions are the Institute for Technical Computer Science Mannheim, the Central Institute for Mental Health , the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (MPIMF), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL ), Heidelberg University Hospital , the Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), the Biochemistry Center (BZH), the Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH) and the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN). All institutions together have more than 100 members, whose spokesperson is Hans-Georg Kräusslich .

aims

The main research project is to explain the function, structure and evolution of biological networks. The aim is to describe the behavior and dynamic change of complex biological networks and to understand their regulatory mechanisms. The success of this project depends crucially on close communication and cooperation between several disciplines, but also on targeted methodological and technological developments. CellNetworks brings together leading scientists and provides them with the best opportunities for interdisciplinary research in these areas.

structure

The cluster is divided into four independent but building on one another areas:

Area A : Protein Machines - Biogenesis, Interactions and Regulation - investigates proteins and their dynamic interaction in macromolecular complexes, as well as their interaction in cellular networks , under the direction of Bernd Bukau .

Area B : Dynamics of Cell Architecture - is headed by Elmar Schiebel and includes the higher-level cell architecture, in particular the cytoskeleton and mitotic spindle, and interactions with the extracellular environment.

Area C : Information Processing in Complex Multi-Cellular Networks - extends the question to signal transmission between cells, focusing on developmental and neurobiology under the direction of Hilmar Bading .

Area D : Alteration of Networks by Infectious Pathogens - adds another level of complexity with the investigation of the influence and use of cellular networks by infectious agents and is headed by Ralf Bartenschlager .

The cluster also includes three central areas: The central project Z1 ( Central Administration ) with the office. Z2 ( Central Technology Platform ) gives all members of the cluster direct access to modern technologies:

  • The Nikon Imaging Center is a central light microscope facility that provides the Heidelberg Biosciences and Medicine institutes with access to and guidance on the latest microscopic procedures and instruments.
  • The ViroQuant-CellNetworks RNAi Screening Facility is available to the cluster for large-scale screenings.
  • The X-ray crystallography helps in the elucidation of molecular structures.
  • The Chemical Biology Core Facility was acquired jointly by EMBL, DKFZ and the University of Heidelberg and supports research groups in identifying and developing their own “biotool” preparations.
  • The Core Facility Electron Microscopy (EMCF) provides possibilities for electron microscopy.
  • The Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics is available for the investigation of proteins using the latest technology.

The technology platform Z3 , which provides the cluster with methods and tools for computer-aided analysis, modeling, simulation and visualization of the processes and experiments considered in the research areas.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Wissenschaftsrat: Result of the meeting of the grant committee on June 15, 2012 , accessed on July 25, 2019.
  2. ↑ See German Research Foundation: Cluster of Excellence (2005-2017 / 2019) , accessed on July 25, 2019.