Recruitments

To strengthen the neuroscience community in Berlin, NeuroCure spent a large proportion of its budget on appointing new professors and establishing junior research groups during the Excellence Initiative (2007-2018). Long-term funding is provided by the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and our participating non-university institutions of the Helmholtz Society and Leibniz Association.

Within the Excellence Strategy since 2019, the Cluster is continuing to recruit neuroscience talent to Berlin with a focus on establishing additional new junior research groups with our partner and cooperating institutions. For information on current calls, see Career.

New Junior Groups 2019-present:

Claudia Böhm

Affiliation

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Research Focus

The Neuropsychiatry group focuses on understanding the neural basis of learning and cognitive functions, in particular in the context of one of the major risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders, early-life stress. We use large-scale electrophysiological recording techniques in rodent models of early-life stress to monitor neural activity in multiple brain areas while animals learn and perform behavioral tasks. Our aim is to elucidate how neural networks associated with learning and skills particularly relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as cognitive flexibility, are affected by adverse early life experiences. Methods to manipulate neural activity will help us link deficits and alterations with specific brain areas and cell types. We further aim to identify neural signatures that might contribute to the resilience or vulnerability to adverse early life experience of individual animals.

Hanna Hörnberg

Affiliation

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC)

Research Focus

The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Behavior group is focused on understanding how genetic and environmental factors shape the molecular composition of neural circuits. We are particularly interested in the neural circuits associated with social and emotional behaviors. To study this, we combine behavioral neuroscience in mouse models with cell- and circuit-specific tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms influencing these behaviors. Our focus is to explore how these mechanisms are affected by social experiences and genetic background associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Rachel Lippert

Dr.

Affiliation

German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE)

Research Focus

The Neurocircuit Development and Function (NDF) group is engaged in understanding how neural circuits involved in the control of energy homeostasis develop and function within complex networks in the brain. Specifically, the team wants to understand how maternal nutrition and altered maternal metabolism can negatively impact the proper formation and function of these brain circuits, resulting in the potential for an earlier onset of brain-related diseases. This work is performed using rodent model systems to target the function of specific neuronal systems to better understand their role in metabolism and behavior.

Noa Lipstein

Dr.

Affiliation

Leibniz Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP)

Research Focus

The Synapse Biology group focuses on elucidating the contribution of synaptic proteins to neuronal function and plasticity, and on deciphering synaptic disease mechanisms in brain disorders. We combine genetic manipulations in mouse models with electrophysiological and cell-type-specific biochemical tools to study the molecular composition and organization of synapses, with the aim of understanding how these define synaptic function and dysfunction.

Christian Meisel

PD Dr. med.

Affiliation

Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)

Research Focus

The Computational Neurology group develops theory- and data-driven methods to better monitor, predict and prevent health deteriorations in epilepsy, intensive care and other neurology settings. Our approach utilizes multimodal time series data over the health-disease continuum, including wearables, in-hospital neuromonitoring, video and EEG. We are exploring the relevance of dynamical systems frameworks for system function in neurology, among them the critical brain hypothesis. Our work is motivated by a more quantitative, data-driven understanding of health and disease that will ultimately afford more proactive treatment options.

Marina Mikhaylova

Prof. Dr.

Affiliation

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU)

Research Focus

The Optobiology group combines biochemical, biophysical, molecular biological and bioinformatic methods with advanced imaging techniques to tackle questions dealing with different aspects of neuronal cell biology. Current projects explore roles of the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton as well as intracellular organelle trafficking in controlling the formation, stability and plasticity of synaptic contacts in health and disease.

Silvia Viana da Silva

Dr.

Affiliation

German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

Research Focus

The Cellular Circuits of Memory group is focused on understanding how neuronal circuits in the hippocampal-associated brain regions are altered in normal aging as well as in memory pathologies. We use electrophysiological methods to investigate brain oscillations and single cell activity in animals while they perform different behavioral tasks. Taking advantage of transgenic mouse lines and genetic manipulations with viral vectors we try to understand how different cell types are involved in the formation of short and long-lasting memories. Our work is aimed at identifying altered neuronal circuits with the potential for manipulation in order to ameliorate or restore memory impairments in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Johannes Vierock

Dr.

Affiliation

Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Research Focus

The Subcellular Optogenetics group focuses on the molecular mechanisms and characterization of channelrhodopsins and their optogenetic applications. We use light-activated ion transporters and genetically encoded sensors to control subcellular changes in pH, voltage and ion concentration by light with a specific interest in pH regulation of the endo-lysosomal and secretory pathway. Studying the molecular mechanisms of new classes of light-activated ion channels and rhodopsin-ion channel complexes, we develop new tools for multicolor optogenetics with peak absorptions from UV- to infra-red light.

Recruitments 2007-2018

In July 2011, Prof. Dr. Britta Eickholt was appointed professor for Neurosciences Specializing in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology at the Charité and NeuroCure. Her research focuses on signaling mechanisms that control the neuronal cytoskeleton. Prior joining NeuroCure, Britta Eickholt worked at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Center for Developmental Neurobiology at King's College, London, UK.

In December 2009, Dr. Enric Esplugues was recruited from the School of Medicine at Yale University, New Haven, USA to head the junior research group Neuroimmunology at the German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin (DRFZ) and NeuroCure. His research focused on immunological processes in neurodegenerative diseases. Ín November 2014, Enric Esplugues returned to Yale University.

In 2010, Prof. Dr. Agnes Flöel joined the NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (NCRC). In April 2013, she was appointed professor for Cognitive Neurology at the Charité and NeuroCure. Agnes Flöel's research focuses on interventional strategies to prevent cognitive deficits in aging, and on rehabilitating cognitive and motor deficits after stroke.

In April 2009, Prof. Dr. Jörg Geiger was appointed professor at the Charité Institute of Neurophysiology with support of the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure. His research focuses on the physiology and pathophysiology of cortical interneurons, axons and presynaptic boutons.

In 2010, Prof. Dr. Rosemarie Grantyn joined NeuroCure as senior professor at the Charité. She investigates synaptic reorganization in neurodegenerative diseases.

In September 2012, Prof. Dr. Anja Hauser was appointed professor for Intravital Imaging and Immune Dynamics at the Charité and NeuroCure. Her research focuses on the dynamics of the immune system. Before joining the Cluster, Anja Hauser was a junior group leader at the German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ).

In February 2011, Prof. Dr. Christine Heim was appointed professor at the Charité Institute of Medical Psychology with support of the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure. Her research focuses on psychobiological mechanisms in the development and treatment of mental and physical illnesses, in particular the influence of trauma or stress during childhood on disease susceptibility throughout the lifespan.

In March 2015, Prof. Dr. Peter Robin Hiesinger was appointed professor at the Institute of Biology of the Freie Universität Berlin and NeuroCure. He investigates the specification and maintenance of synapses. Robin Hiesinger moved from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, USA to join the Cluster.

In July 2014, Prof. Benjamin Judkewitz was appointed professor for Bioimaging and Neurophotonics at the Charité and NeuroCure. His research group develops and applies new techniques that overcome optical scattering in order to enable imaging and optical stimulation at unprecedented depths in biological tissue. Benjamin Judkewitz was recruited from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.

Since September 2013, Dr. Janine Kirstein has headed the junior research group Proteostasis in Aging and Disease at the Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and NeuroCure. Her research focuses on mechanisms of quality control in protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Before joining the Cluster, Janine Kirstein carried out research at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.

In February 2012, Prof. Dr. Ursula Koch was appointed professor at the Institute of Biology of the Freie Universität Berlin and NeuroCure. In the field of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ursula Koch investigates the molecular components of auditory brainstem development and contributes to a better understanding of the physiological basis of auditory processing disorders. Ursula Koch was recruited from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

In March 2017, Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Krahe was appointed professor for Behavioral Physiology at the Humboldt-Universität and NeuroCure. His research concentrates on understanding neural mechanisms of sensory information processing and their evolution, using the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish. Prior to his appointment, Rüdiger Krahe performed research at McGill University.

In August 2011, Prof. Dr. Matthew Larkum was appointed professor for Neuronal Plasticity at the Humboldt-Universität and NeuroCure. He investigates the integration of feedforward and feedback information in the cortex. Matthew Larkum carried out research at the University of Bern, Switzerland before joining the Cluster.

In June 2009, Prof. Dr. Seija Lehnardt was appointed professor at the Charité Institute of Neurology with support of the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure. She is active in the field of neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration, with a focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune cell-mediated CNS injury and cell-autonomous neurodegeneration, mechanisms of CNS infection, and the role of innate immune receptors in CNS development.

In 2009, Prof. Dr. Andreas Meisel was appointed professor for Neurology Specializing in Cerebrovascular Diseases at the Charité and NeuroCure. He investigates the immunological mechanisms in stroke and develops new diagnostics and therapies for stroke patients. Andreas Meisel works at the NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (NCRC) and Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB).

In 2009, Prof. Dr. Eva Neuhaus was appointed professor for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology at the Charité and NeuroCure. Her research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanisms of olfaction. Eva Neuhaus was recruited from the University of Bochum. In June 2013, Eva Neuhaus moved to the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena.

In March 2012, Prof. Dr. Christian Otte was appointed professor at the Charité Department of Psychiatry with support of the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure. His research investigates the connections between mental illnesses and stress. He is particularly interested in changes in biological stress regulation systems such as the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal cortex axis and the autonomic nervous system.

Since November 2008, Prof. Dr. Friedemann Paul has headed the Clinical Neuroimmunology research group at the NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (NCRC). In 2011, he was appointed professor for Neurology Specializing in Neuroimmunology at the Charité and NeuroCure. Friedemann Paul's research focuses on the optimization of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological diseases.

Since November 2008, Dr. Andrew Plested has headed the junior research group Molecular Neuroscience and Biophysics at the Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and NeuroCure. He investigates the functional mechanisms of synaptic receptors. Andrew Plested moved from the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA to join the Cluster.

Since July 2009, Dr. James Poulet has headed the junior research group Neural Circuits and Behavior at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and NeuroCure. He investigates neocortical neurons in the brain and how they control behavior. Prior to joining the Cluster, James Poulet carried out research at the Brain Mind Institute of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland.

In July 2009, Prof. Dr. Christian Rosenmund was appointed professor for Neurosciences Specializing in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology at the Charité and NeuroCure. He carries out extensive research in the field of synaptic transmission - the transfer of information between individual nerve cells in the brain. Christian Rosenmund moved to the Charité from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, USA to join the Cluster.

Since November 2008, Dr. Björn Schroeder has headed the junior research group Signaling and Transport Processes at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and NeuroCure. He investigates transmembrane proteins in signaling processes. Prior to joining the Cluster, Björn Schroeder carried out research in the laboratory of Lily Jan at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA.

In 2008, Prof. Dr. Markus Schülke-Gerstenfeld was appointed professor for Pediatrics Specializing in Developmental Disorders of the Nervous System at the Charité and NeuroCure. He has been recruited to the NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (NCRC). Markus Schülke-Gerstenfeld's research focuses on the development of therapies for epilepsy and febrile convulsions, and on the molecular genetic investigation of inherited diseases of the developing nervous system.

In 2010, Prof. Dr. Sarah Shoichet was appointed professor for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology at the Charité and NeuroCure. She investigates the molecular mechanisms of cognitive processes and developmental disorders of the nervous system. Sarah Shoichet was recruited from her postdoctoral position as a habilitation fellow of the Rahel Hirsch Program at the Charité.

In July 2009, Prof. Dr. Stephan Sigrist was appointed professor for Molecular Developmental Genetics of Animals at the Institute of Biology at the Freie Universität Berlin and NeuroCure. He investigates the formation and function of synaptic contacts between nerve cells as well as the genetic basis of these processes. Stephan Sigrist was recruited from the Universität Würzburg.

In August 2008, Prof. Dr. Victor Tarabykin was appointed professor at the Charité Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology with support of the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure. He is interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate specification in the mouse cerebral cortex. His research focuses on the mechanisms controlling the generation, migration and axonal guidance of neurons of different cortical layers and areas.

In July 2011, Prof. Dr. Imre Vida was appointed professor for Neuroscience Specializing in Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology at the Charité and NeuroCure. His research concentrates primarily on neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and information-processing aspects of inhibitory neurons in circuits of the hippocampus. Prior to accepting his appointment, Imre Vide carried out research at the University of Glasgow, UK.

In June 2009, Prof. Dr. York Winter was appointed professor for Cognitive Neurobiology at the Department of Biology of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and NeuroCure. In addition, he heads the Animal Outcome Core Facility within the Cluster. York Winter moved to the Humboldt-Universität from the University of Bielefeld.

In November 2014, Prof. Dr. Ferah Yildirim was appointed assistant professor for Neuropsychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Charité and NeuroCure. Ferah Yildirim investigates dysfunctions of neuronal gene expression in neuropsychiatric conditions with a particular focus on epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms. Prior to her appointment, Ferah Yildirim worked as a postdoctoral scientist at the Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA.

Since September 2014, Dr. Niccolò Zampieri has headed the junior research group Development and Function of Neural Circuits at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and NeuroCure. His group is interested in the developmental mechanisms that control the assembly and function of motor circuits. Prior to joining the Cluster, Niccolò Zampieri carried out research at the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Jessell at Columbia University in New York, USA.