Institute of Developmental Genetics
Mission & Vision
In view of a steadily increasing life expectancy the amount of older people within the society becomes greater than ever. As a consequence the prevalence of chronic age-related diseases will be gradually rising with serious personal but also societal and economical impacts. Thus, OUR VISION is to help improving the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic diseases with a specific focus on neurological (Dementias, Parkinson´s Diseases, ALS) and psychiatric diseases (Major Depression). Since genetic predisposition is a major risk factor for these diseases – and the function of most mammalian genes are not yet known - we also envision to contribute to the functional annotation of the mouse genome. Thus, OUR MISSION is to contribute to the functional annotation of the mouse genome by performing large scale mutagenesis and developing continuously new genetic technologies in order to improve animal models of disease (Mission I). Furthermore we aim at unraveling the molecular basis of the pathoetiology of psychiatric and neurological diseases by generating and comprehensively analysing genetic animal models (Mission II). In doing so, we specifically take into account the role of environmental factors on the etiology and progress of the diseases. As a consequence the IDG is structurally divided into two research areas:
- Research Area “Mouse Genetics” is primarily concerned with the continuous and steady development of new genetic animal models for diseases as well as the improvement of the technologies necessary for the generation of such models.
- Research Area “Disease Modelling” deals with the analysis of these models. Furthermore, the understanding of cellular processes implicated in disease pathogenesis such as neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, neuronal circuit formation, oxidative stress response, as well as metabolic and neuroendocrinological function are focused on.
Mouse Genetics | Neuropsychiatric Disease Modelling |
The IDG Mouse Genetics Group generates targeted mouse mutants for internal scientific projects and external collaborations. The Large Scale Mutagenesis Team participates in the European Conditional Mouse Mutagenesis Program (EUCOMM), an international project for large scale mutagenesis to create a genome-wide resource of conditional targeted ES cells and mice. The IDG is partner in the International Knockout Mouse Consortium (IKMC), a resource for generation and distribution of mutant mouse products, and thus hosts the material distribution unit of EUCOMM, the European Mouse Mutant Cell Repository (EuMMCR). Within the national DIGTOP (From Disease Genes to Protein Pathways) project the proteomic interactions of disease-related genes in stem cells and mice are analysed. The Technology Development and Animal Model Generation teams develop new mutagenesis tools and provide infrastructure and a microinjection service for the generation of mouse mutants. The Bioinformatics team develops data infrastructures for the high-throughput analysis of mouse mutants and is involved in the modelling of genetic and protein interaction networks. | Within the IDG different groups are approaching the central question of the pathoetiology of neuropsychiatric diseases from different angles using distinct experimental approaches.
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