As part of the Pilot Project program initiated this year by the Brain Dynamics Graduate School, all Brain Dynamics doctoral candidates and postdocs were invited to apply for a grant of up to €3,500.00 with their own projects under the following conditions:
- The project proposal had to be submitted by Brain Dynamics members (PhD students and postdocs) coming from at least two different working groups, preferably those without prior collaboration.
- Each application had to be co-authored by at least one doctoral student.
- The proposed projects cannot currently be funded and should last between three and six months.
After revision by the GS board, the following five projects were rewarded with full funding:
1. ¡°Interaction of obesity-activated astrocytes and microglial cells in response to plant sterols¡±
Funding amount: €3,500.00
Applicants:
Dr. Luise Hochmuth, AG Hirrlinger, Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine
Laura Plantera, AG Bechmann, Institute for Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.
2. ¡°Bridging micro- and macroscale: Neuroanatomical correlates to gradient organization of human thalamus¡±
Funding amount: €3,500.00
Applicants:
Dr. Philip Ruthig, AG Morawski, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Faculty of Medicine
Alexandra John, AG Valk, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Neurosciences.
3. ¡°3D mapping of parvalbumin interneuron-derived cortico-striatal axonal projections¡±
Funding amount: €3,500.00
Applicants:
Hadiseh Hosseinnia, AG Schwab, Paul Flechsig Institute for Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, Melanie Schulz, AG Morawski, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Faculty of Medicine.
4. ¡°Advanced behavioral phenotyping in Drosophila melanogaster to establish a model for inhalation toxicology for volatile organic compounds¡±
Funding amount: €3,000.00
Applicants:
Dr. David Leuthold, AG Tal, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ)
Vincent Richter, AG Thum, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences.
5. ¡°Establishing a cortisol quantification method in biological matrices to verify pollutant-induced stress in non-human primates using zebrafish as a translational model¡±
Funding amount: €3,000.00
Applicants:
Dr. David Leuthold, AG Tal, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ)
Miriam Simon, AG Widdig, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences.
A small award ceremony was held before the Brain Dynamics Seminar on 1st December.
Results of the funded projects in form of oral and/or poster presentations will be presented at the next Brain Dynamics Scientific Day in Autumn 2024. We wish all recipients success with their pilot projects.