Scientists from Frankfurt and Mainz have successfully applied for funding to establish a Collaborative Research Centre (CRC)/Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB) on the molecular mechanisms of selective autophagy.

Autophagy literally means „self-eating“ and describes a process by which the cell recycles harmful ballast like aggregated proteins, damaged organelles or even bacterial invaders. For the next four years, the centre is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with 11 M €.

The initiative is led by Ivan Dikic, and is the first large-scale collaborative network in Germany in this highly competitive field. In the newly established CRC, researchers from the Goethe University, the University Medical Centre in Mainz, the Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt and the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz have teamed up to characterize selective autophagy on the molecular and functional level.

This will eventually lead to a better understanding of the role of autophagy in pathophysiology and pave the road for innovative, targeted therapies. The funding by the DFG will now give a powerful impetus for the network, also strengthening the position of the Rhine Main scientists on the international stage. More information on the CRC/SFB can be found under www.SFB1177.de