Scientific Centers & Cooperations
German Centres for Health Research (DZG)
Despite major advances in medicine, far too many people still suffer from cancer, diabetes, infections, cardiovascular and lung diseases, and dementia. The aim of the German Centres for Health Research (DZG) is to bring research findings to patients more quickly in order to improve the prevention and treatment of these widespread diseases. At the local partner sites of the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), excellent Göttingen scientists from university and non-university research institutions work together on an interdisciplinary basis.
Exzellenzcluster Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC)
Disorders of the heart and the brain are leading causes of disability and death. The electrically excitable cells of these widely distinct organs, cardiomyocytes and neurons, have surprisingly many physiological properties in common. They both rely on nanoscale functional units to produce their physiological outputs as part of electrically active networks. Importantly, many disease mechanisms that disrupt both cardiac and neural network function are rooted in such nanoscale functional units. Despite these similarities, research usually focuses on a single system, heart or brain, and on a single observation scale, such as molecules or cells or organs.
The goal of the cluster of excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells (MBExC) is to decipher disease-relevant nanoscale functional units in cardiac and neural excitable cells. Both in the heart and in the brain, this goal can only be attained by a multiscale approach that integrates research on nanoscale units with analyses of excitable cell networks. MBExC will provide insights that could not be achieved by studying each physiological system separately. Breakthroughs in optical nanoscopy, X-ray imaging, and electron tomography make it possible to close the gaps in our approach, e.g. between the molecular and cellular scales. In line with the role of the Göttingen Campus in pioneering such approaches, MBExC will develop and apply innovative technologies to study nanoscale functional units, and provide unique insights into both cardiac and neural networks.
In summary, MBExC will fundamentally advance our understanding of cardiac and neural nanophysiology, provide research training and career opportunities, transfer knowledge, and translate insights into novel therapies for disorders affecting the heart, the brain, or both.
Else Kröner Fresenius Centre for Optogenetic Therapies
The Else Kröner Fresenius Centre for Optogenetic Therapies (EKFZ OT) is a clinical-scientific centre of excellence at the University Medical Centre Göttingen (UMG) under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine. The aim of the EKFZ OT is to exploit the great potential of optogenetics - the control of cells with light using light-sensitive proteins (opsins) - for clinical medicine. Optogenetics enables the localised, cell-type-specific control of organs and promises a significant improvement in clinical care compared to conventional electrical medical devices.
Optogenetic therapies combine gene therapy and optical medical technology. They offer broader applicability than conventional gene therapy and promise greater efficacy than currently available medical devices.
Specifically, the EKFZ OT aims to develop and implement four therapeutic approaches (optogenetic cochlear implants, retinal stimulation, gastric pacemakers and brain-computer interfaces). These promise to improve the clinical care of patients suffering from deafness, blindness, gastroparesis, and motor deficits compared to conventional treatment methods. The spectrum of the EKFZ OT ranges from basic strategies for optogenetic therapies to comprehensive preclinical studies and early human clinical trials. With the support of the Regulatory Advisory Team, the Clinical Study Centre and the Early Clinical Trial Unit, the EKFZ OT plans to conduct clinical trials on optogenetic restoration of hearing and vision within the funding period. An academy will also be integrated into the new centre. It will provide in-depth training opportunities for young scientists with a focus on clinical translation.
The EKFZ will fully communicate the results to the scientific community, industry and the public.
Interdisciplinary Research Centers
The Göttingen campus enables versatile networks and numerous cooperation between the University Medical Center, the faculties of the University of Göttingen, the Max-Planck-Institutes for natural sciences and the German Primate Center in Göttingen. The close and successful cooperation of the campus partners shapes an innovative research environment and has led to joint establishments of several interdisciplinary, cross-faculty and inter-institutional research centers.
- DFG Forschungszentrum Molekularphysiologie des Gehirns und Exzellenzcluster Mikroskopie im Nanometerbereich (CNMPB)
- European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI)
- Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB)
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN)
- Herzforschungszentrum (HRCG)
Göttingen Campus
Göttingen Campus
The University of Göttingen, including the University Medical Center is strongly embedded into a network with local non-university research institutions. This Göttingen Campus has been continuously expanded over the past 20 years and strengthened cooperation in research as well as promotion and exchange of early career researchers.
- Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities
- German Primate Center
- German Aerospace Center
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
- Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine
- Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
- Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity
with a total of more than 20 departments. As associated partners of the Campus, the Laser Laboratory, the HAWK, the Phywe-GmbH and others belong to the Göttingen Campus as well.
Göttingen Campus Council (GCC)
Within the Göttingen Campus Council (GCC, established in 2006), all eight non-university institutions and the University, including the University Medical Center, are represented by eight voting members each, with equal rights. The Göttingen Campus Council is the central body of the Göttingen Campus, representing the interests of all Campus members, developing common strategic guidelines and serving as a quality assurance body.
The GCC identifies campus-wide research focal research areas, supports and encourages the cooperation in research and teaching, and is committed to the best possible promotion of early-career researchers. The Göttingen Campus Executive Board is responsible for preparing GCC meetings and for the implementation of measures in accordance with the decisions and guidelines of the GCC.
More information:
Georg-August-Universität - Göttingen Campus Council (GCC)
Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity
Health Care Campus Göttingen / Gesundheitscampus Göttingen
The Health Care Campus Göttingen (Gesundheitscampus Göttingen, GCG) is a collaboration between the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim, Holzminden, Göttingen (HAWK). Since 2016 both institutions contribute with distinctive expertise and values to this alliance, which was pioneering in Germany. The Health Care Campus is offering Bachelor degree courses for novel professions in health care and academic qualifications for professionals in the areas of nursing, therapy sciences, social work in health care, medical engineering and – since recently – midwifery sciences. Moreover, a Master degree course ‘Medical Engineering’ just started. Ultimately, around 600 students will be able to take advantage of the new degree courses. The Health Campus is funded by a Lower Saxony empowerment programme for Universities of Applied Sciences.
In order to provide needs-based health services, sustainable study programmes are being developed in cooperation with local companies such as Sartorius AG, Otto Bock Health Care or B Braun Melsungen AG and with political bodies and non-profit organizations as a ‘Campus-Community Partnership in Health’.
More information: Gesundheitscampus Göttingen
Eurolife
Eurolife is a transnational network in life sciences composed of nine top-tier European academic institutions and medical centres from nine countries, currently coordinated by the University Medical Center Göttingen. The members, each with worldwide reputations in research excellence in biomedicine and medicine across Europe, are dedicated to the task of advancing research and education in the life sciences through working partnerships.
Partners:
- University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Germany
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Spain
- Semmelweis University (SE), Hungary
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Ireland
- University of Edinburgh (UoE), United Kingdom
- Medizinische Universität Innsbruck (MUI), Austria
- Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Netherlands
- Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), France
Since its foundation in 1999 the network has evolved to a high-level European collaboration in life sciences. Its activities are designed to enhance promotion of trans-national scientific and educational interactions within Europe and to foster a coherent policy regarding research and training activities between academic institutions in countries within Europe
More information: http://eurolifeuniversities.org/