DZNE and Charité work together: with joined forces against neurodegenerative diseases

Joint press release by the DZNE and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Berlin/Bonn, May 16^th, 2013. The DZNE and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin are internationally leading institutions for research in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Now, both have signed a cooperation agreement to seal their close scientific collaboration. The objective is to combine existing expertise and to bring new outstanding researchers to Berlin. Together, the scientists want to decode processes in the brain and in nerve cells that are not only relevant for some diseases, but relate to various neurodegenerative diseases. The cooperation will also foster the translation of results from fundamental into clinical research.

“Berlin won out as a new DZNE site in a competitive scientific selection process. Particularly the potential of a scientific cooperation with the Charité has been a decisive criterion. This is why we are very glad to have them as a strong partner," says Prof. Pierluigi Nicotera, Scientific Director and Chairmain of the Executive Board of the DZNE. The Chairman of the Executive Board of Charité Prof. Karl Max Einhäupl also welcomes the collaboration: “It is great to be able to work with the DZNE - in Berlin and with the other DZNE sites. The DZNE unifies important experts in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.”

The Berlin scientists are interested in finding out which mechanisms lead to dysfunction and neuronal cell death – the main cause of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. They investigate dysfunctions in the transmission from one cell to the next, as well as dysfunctions in the whole nerve cell network. Another focus is on understanding why cardiovascular diseases and inflammations may lead to neurodegenerative diseases and how malfunctions of the brain can be compensated.

The next step is to recruit top researchers to Berlin, strategically combine existing expertise, and promote clinical and translational research together.

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