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.