To achieve a researcher capacity to carry out work on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying recovery of tissue structure and function after stroke.

Task 1 Studies on the adult brain neurogenesis.

The Institute in Zürich has made a characterization of Ngn2 and Mash1-positive progenitors in the neurogenic regions of the adult brain. By using immunodetection of these proteins as well as GFP transgenic mice and cre/lox mice, we will be studying brain neurogenesis in vivo. In particular we will focus on the pattern and timing of expression of the two proneural proteins during adult neurogenesis as well as the fate of the Ngn2+ progeny after stroke.

Task 2 Studies on the adult brain neurogenesis.

A first therapeutic approach is to control the formation of a glial scar after neuronal injury and to permit axonal regeneration and functional restoration. This could be achieved by limiting the formation of the glial scar while encouraging at the same time the formation of new neurons to “bridge” the lesion gap as well as the formation of oligodendrocytes and to fasten repair by remyelination. The group in Greifswald is working toward creating a migratory highway for neuronal precursor cells between a neurogenic region like the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the infarcted cortical region. The impact of those studies is expected to generate highly efficient, state-of-the art experimental protocols with which to address current issues in regenerative medicine as well as acquiring of appropriate laboratory skills through using the acquired equipment and methodologies.

Close collaboration with the strategic partners on the use of advanced technological equipment, joint experiments and interpretation with the help of pilot studies will be carried out. In this respect, Dr. Oliver Rainetau from the Brain Research Institute (BRI) in Zürich will be visiting the Medical Faculty of Greifswald for advanced studies on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying recovery of tissue structure and function after stroke using the confocal microscope and the platform for global analysis of gene expression, the imaging platform for chemiluminiscence and fluorometric detection of labeled proteins and nucleic acids and the behavioral platform.

Prof. Dr. A. Hamm [Psychologist]

Expertise: behavioral recuperation

Prof. Dr. C. Kessler [Neurologist]

Expertise: clinical significance of molecular data

Dr. Ana-Maria Buga [PostDoc]

Expertise: Genomics

Dr. Senthil Kumar [PostDoc]

Expertise: Behavior; proteomics

Ms Stefanie Huebner [PhD student]

Expertise: Cell culture, transplantation studies

Prof. Dr. Zaal Kokaia

Laboratory of Neural Stem Cell Biology, University of Lund (UL), Sweden

Dr. Olivier Raineteau

Brain Research Institute (BRI , Zürich, Switzerland

• Junker H, Suofu Y, Venz S, Sascau M, Herndon JG, Kessler C, Walther R. Proteomic identification of an upregulated isoform of Annexin A3 in the rat brain following reversible cerebral ischemia. Glia 55: 1630-1637.
• Buga AM, Sascau M, Pisoschi C, Herndon JG, Kessler C A (2008) The genomic response of the ipsilateral and contralateral cortex to stroke in aged rats. J Cell Mol Med 12:2731-2753.