FWF F78: Neuro Stem modulation
The Neuro Stem Modulation Consortium comprises 12 research groups within Austria. The consortium is a Special Research Program (SFB) funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
Our consortium aims to significantly advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control neural progenitor and stem cell development. This research will explore how these cells, over developmental time and within specific regions of the brain and spinal cord, create the diverse array of neurons in the central nervous system, and how these neurons form interconnected networks.
Neural progenitor cells
Neural progenitors are the foundational stem cells that create neurons and other cells within the nervous system, building the brain and spinal cord’s complex structure. Our consortium explores various facets of neural progenitor biology, including genetic regulation (Knoblich), lineage tracing (Hippenmeyer), roles in autism (Novarino), quiescence and activation (Urbán), regeneration evolution (Raible), metabolic influences (Edenhofer), computational cell fate analysis (Adameyko), transplantation potential (Grade), and spinal cord circuit development (Sweeney). In response to external factors these progenitor cells can specialise in ways that can lead to the specification of specialised progenitor subtypes (Kicheva, Tanaka).
Neural progenitor subtypes
Neural progenitors aren’t uniform; they consist of diverse subtypes that generate specific neurons and glia. Our research delves into this diversity, examining subtype identification (Knoblich), lineage (Hippenmeyer), autism-related roles (Novarino), adult hippocampus regulation (Urbán), evolutionary origins (Raible), aging effects (Edenhofer), computational fate analysis (Adameyko), targeted repair (Grade), and spinal cord circuit variation (Sweeney).
Neural Differentiation
Neural differentiation is the process by which progenitors specialize into neurons and glia, a process governed by internal and external factors. Our studies examine genetic and epigenetic regulation (Knoblich), lineage tracking of differentiated cells (Hippenmeyer), neurotransmitter roles in autism (Novarino), adult hippocampus differentiation (Urbán), regeneration evolution (Raible), metabolic impacts (Edenhofer), computational cell fate analysis (Adameyko), repair strategies (Grade), and spinal cord circuit formation (Sweeney).
Neural connections
Neuronal connections are vital for brain information processing, forming during development and refining throughout life. Our research investigates the regulation of these connections, including genetic factors (Knoblich), lineage and connectivity mapping (Hippenmeyer), neurotransmitter roles in autism (Novarino), adult hippocampus connections (Urbán), evolutionary aspects (Raible), aging effects (Edenhofer), connection formation modeling (Adameyko), repair possibilities (Grade), and spinal cord circuit development (Sweeney).