Early-career researchers at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) have received significant funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for two Research Training Groups (RTGs). One is newly established in medicine, while the other, focused on psychology, psychiatry, and neurobiology, has secured an extension. This funding aims to enhance the training and development of emerging scientists through structured doctoral education.
The newly approved RTG, named RTG 3190 – Thrombo-Inflame, will receive funding of €5.477 million over a five-year period. This group will investigate thrombo-inflammation, a critical disease mechanism involving the interaction between platelets, the coagulation system, and inflammatory processes. Historically regarded as separate, these elements are now understood to be interconnected, particularly in conditions such as stroke, infections, autoimmune diseases, and severe injuries.
Research within RTG 3190 will explore how platelets interact with immune and vascular wall cells and identify the molecular signaling pathways involved. The projects will span the entire translational spectrum, from molecular studies using mouse models to clinical trials in humans. Advanced methodologies such as single-cell analyses and intravital microscopy will be employed to gain insights into platelet behavior under pathological conditions.
Professor Bernhard Nieswandt, Chair of Experimental Biomedicine I at the University Hospital Würzburg, will lead the RTG. By fostering collaboration across diverse fields—such as platelet biology, immunology, and clinical medicine—the group aims to uncover regulatory mechanisms governing thrombo-inflammatory responses and identify potential therapeutic targets.
In addition to the new RTG, the existing RTG 2660 – Neural Mechanisms of (Mal)Adaptive Approach and Avoidance Behaviour has been granted an extension of four and a half years. Since its establishment in 2021, this group has focused on understanding two fundamental behavioral tendencies: approaching positive stimuli and avoiding potential threats.
Disruptions in this balance can lead to psychological and neurological disorders, including anxiety and addiction. The RTG combines insights from psychology, psychiatry, and neurobiology to investigate how these behaviors are represented and regulated in the brain. In this second funding phase, the research will emphasize experimental modulation, exploring how these behavioral patterns can be influenced through interventions targeting specific neuronal networks.
The aim is to identify forms of plasticity that could improve decision-making in clinical conditions. Doctoral researchers will utilize a range of methodologies, from behavioral studies in mouse models to functional imaging and virtual-reality paradigms in humans.
Professor Matthias Gamer, a psychologist, leads the RTG team, which also includes esteemed colleagues such as Professor Grit Hein, Professor Andrea Reiter, and Professor Philip Tovote. The DFG is providing nearly €6 million to support the ongoing work of RTG 2660.
These funding successes reinforce Würzburg’s commitment to advancing scientific inquiry and training the next generation of researchers in critical areas of health and behavioral science. With strong international networks and partnerships with industry, both RTGs are poised to make significant contributions to their respective fields and potentially improve therapeutic strategies.
