As part of the “UMG 2032 – Excellence through Focus” program, the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) is specifically strengthening research in the field of metabolic plasticity and is focusing on funding five Early Career Researchers (ECR) who will lead their own junior research groups. The UMG will receive a total of 18.5 million euros for this project as part of the Lower Saxony funding program “Strategically Developing Potential” in order to further expand the international competitiveness and visibility of the location.

Five research fields for young top researchers

The focus is on five thematic priorities in which the junior research groups are located:

• Mitochondrial homeostasis: Molecular processes in mitochondria, with links to cardiovascular and cancer research.
• Inter-organ communication: exchange of information between organs and tissues, especially the heart and brain.
• Metabolic neuroimmunological adaptations: Interactions between immune cells and metabolism in central nervous system damage.
• Transcription and metabolic plasticity: gene regulation and metabolic adaptation, especially in the context of tumor diseases.
• Metabolomics platform: Development and application of new technologies for analyzing metabolic pathways and processes.

Attractive framework conditions for young scientists

The program is aimed at postdoctoral researchers from all over the world who completed their doctorate no more than six years ago. The funding includes a leadership position, positions for a postdoc, a doctoral student, a technical assistant as well as material resources and infrastructure. The UMG also offers an international network, mentoring and targeted further training opportunities.

Goal: networking and innovation

The five junior research groups will combine the UMG’s four established research focuses – molecular cell biology, neuroscience, cardiovascular medicine and oncology – under the umbrella of Metabolic Plasticity. The aim is to develop innovative, cross-disease research approaches and accelerate technology transfer so that scientific findings reach society more quickly.

With this program, the UMG sets an example for the promotion of excellent young scientists and strengthens its role as an internationally visible research center in the field of basic biomedical research.

_{Editorial office: X-Press Journalistenbürö GbR}

Gender note. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple references and gendered designations are avoided in favor of better readability.