Research networks in the field of “cell dynamics and imaging”

Our community is intensively engaged in acquiring external funding, especially for interfaculty research networks in the field of cell dynamics and imaging. By joining forces in the Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre, we embed the specific scientific topics of these collaborative projects into a larger thematic context, and, at the same time, our network is an incubator for new collaborative initiatives. Together we further develop our scientific field as well as supportive offers and institutional structures.

  • CRC 1450 inSight – Multiscale imaging of organ-specific inflammation

    Imaging of inflammation using microscopy (left) and whole-body imaging (PET-CT, right). At present, there is no methodology available that allows for the compiling of information from these different examinations.
    © AG Kiefer/AG Schäfers

    Researchers in this Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) aim to understand how the body regulates inflammation in different organs and which cellular processes are decisive in determining how an inflammation will progress. They incorporate different imaging technologies into their investigations and develop innovative strategies for the labelling of cells and the evaluation of image data in order to be able to integrate information from single cells to entire organisms, and from mice to men. In the long term, the results could lead to new diagnostic approaches for clinical imaging modalities and help, initially, in the detection of inflammation, then in finding the best suited immunoregulatory therapy for individual patients and, finally, in the assessment of its efficacy.

    Spokesperson: Prof Dr Michael Schäfers (Faculty of Medicine)
    Involved Faculties: Medicine, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Mathematics and Computer Science
    Project term: 01/2021 – 12/2024
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

  • CRC 1348 Dynamic Cellular Interfaces: Formation and Function

    Microscopy image of an early mouse embryo (green) interacting with endothelial cells (orange) in a novel synthetic cell culture system
    © Niraimathi Govindasamy et al./Dev Cell 2021

    This Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) focuses on the question of how contact points between cells develop and function. Special molecular mechanisms enable communication between cells and their cohesion, thus regulating cell differentiation as well as the development and function of different tissues. Researchers investigate these processes in fruit flies, zebrafish, and mice, combining high-resolution microscopic methods with biochemical and genetic methods.

    Spokesperson: Prof Dr Christian Klämbt (Faculty of Biology)
    Involved Faculties: Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicine
    Project term: 01/2018 – 12/2025
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

  • CRC/TRR 332 Neutrophils: Origin, Fate & Function

    Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant circulating white blood cells in humans and have been attributed mainly antimicrobial functions. However, recent findings show that they also have underappreciated multiple functions in chronic inflammation and tumour development. Researchers in this Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio (CRC/TRR) aim to understand the role of neutrophils in physiological and pathological immune processes. To this end, they investigate how signals in the tissue influence the production and function of neutrophils and how the intracellular processing of signals regulates neutrophil function. In the long term, the aim is to build a bridge to clinical applications.

    Spokesperson: Prof Dr Oliver Söhnlein (Faculty of Medicine)
    Involved institutions: Universities of Münster, Duisburg-Essen and Munich, associated: TU Dresden, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften Dortmund
    Project term: 07/2022 – 06/2026
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

  • CRU 342 Organ Dysfunction During Systemic Inflammation

    Microscopy image
    During inflammation in the lung of a mouse leukocytes (green) migrate into the tissue and interact with platelets (grey).
    © AG Rossaint / AG Zarbock

    This Clinical Research Unit (CRU) focuses on systemic inflammatory reactions such as sepsis which are often fatal. The involved researchers investigate molecular, immunological and cellular signalling pathways that are relevant for such inflammation and subsequent organ failure. They examine these causal disease processes in murine and porcine animal models as well as in studies on patients and want to use their findings to develop new therapy options for patients.

    Spokesperson: Prof Dr Alexander Zarbock (Faculty of Medicine)
    Coordinator: PD Dr Jan Rossaint (Faculty of Medicine)
    Involved Faculties and non-university research institutes: Faculty of Medicine, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
    Project term: 02/2020 – 01/2026
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

  • RTG 2515 Chemical Biology of Ion Channels

    The five research areas of the Research Training Group
    The five research areas of the Research Training Group
    © Chembion/Heike Blum

    In this Research Training Group (RTG), PhD students investigate the synthesis, modification and biological use of small organic molecules, with which the opening state of ion channels can be specifically controlled and made visible with molecular imaging. Ion channels are proteins which form pores in cell membranes, thus allowing charged particles to pass through the cell membrane and influence processes in cells, tissues and organs. Being able to systematically open and close ion channels could, in the future, open up a range of applications in the treatment of various pathological conditions, such as cancer or neural diseases. Many scientific contacts, which made this joint project possible, were established through the Cells in Motion Cluster of Excellence.

    Spokesperson: Prof Dr Bernhard Wünsch (Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy), Prof Dr Thomas Budde (Medical Faculty)
    Involved Faculties: Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicine
    Project term: 10/2019 – 09/2028
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

  • Immune-Image

    Distribution of immune cells in the body of a mouse, imaged with optical imaging
    Distribution of immune cells in the body of a mouse, imaged with optical imaging
    © S. Gran & L. Honold et al./Theranostics 2018(8)

    How do immune cells behave in the body? What happens during immunotherapy, which is designed to encourage the body’s own immune system to attack a disease? In this Europe-wide collaborative research project, experts from research and the pharmaceutical industry want to develop biomedical imaging methods for monitoring immune cells before, during and after immune treatment. The researchers will initially look at the processes in animal models for different diseases – with the aim of translating the results and methods to patients mid-term enabling them to establish image-guided immunotherapies with improved efficacy in diseases such as cancer or inflammation.

    Spokesperson: Prof Albert D. Windhorst (Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands)
    Involved Faculties at Münster University: Medicine (Coordination: Prof Michael Schäfers, Prof Andreas Jacobs), Chemistry and Pharmacy
    Project term: 10/2019 – 03/2026
    Funding: European Commission (EC)