NEW DEFINITION OF RESEARCH FOCI

It is not only in the acquisition of qualified third-party funding that research at the Medical Faculty Münster has made such a distinctly positive development in the past few years. It has also undergone a clear change in what it does, characterized in particular by the successful acquisition of the Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (CiM, 2012-2019) as well as of several new Collaborative Research Centres. And this change has been actively driven and expanded through the strategy of appointing specific new professors within existing research foci as well as at the interfaces to them.

The new definition of research foci decided on by the Faculty Council in 2015 is a response to this special situation as well as to the strong connection between basic research and clinical research within individual research foci at the Medical Faculty Münster. In addition, translational research provides extra strategic strength for the Faculty.

New research foci (since April 2015):

  • Inflammation and Infection
  • Vascular System
  • Neural Systems
  • Cell differentiation, Regeneration and Neoplasia

The new designations for the research foci, which give inward and outward expression to their interdisciplinary character,show how strongly interlinked they are. All research foci pursue the overriding aim of describing – for illnesses and down to the level of individual patients – biological signatures designed to lead to individualized medicine and successful diagnosis and therapy. Basic research, clinical research and clinical translational research all help to achieve this one overriding aim.

Inflammation & Infection

Coordinator: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johannes Roth

The inflammation and infection research focus has a long, successful tradition at Münster. Through its research associations (collaborative Research centre, Research training Group etc) it is effective in an interdisciplinary and interfaculty way, comprising both basic research and clinical research. It also pools immunological expertise (autoimmune diseases, allergies, warding off infections, infections including their pathogens and pathogenity mechanisms), right down as far as therapy.

Vascular System

Coordinators: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Eric Schulze-Bahr, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ralf Adams

In the vascular system area, research is undertaken into vascular changes such as arteriosclerosis and vasculitides, through to consequential damage to organs, including changes to the myocardium. This focus entails looking at changes to a myocardial cell, myocardial insufficiency and arrhythmias.

Neural Systems

Coordinators: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heinz Wiendl, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo Dannlowski

The neural systems focus comprises the basics, from the function of ion channels and signalling molecules to inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Research is also done into mechanisms of fear, anxiety
and anxiety disorders, as well as other psychiatric and psychotherapeutic aspects.

Cell Differentiation, Regeneration and Neoplasia

Coordinators: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Eva Wardelmann, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Schlatt

The cell differentiation, regeneration and neoplasia focus includes stem-cell research, the biology and pathology of reproduction, and cell differentiation and the origins of tumours and possibilities for therapy.

Clinical Translational Professorships

Clinical Translational Professorships, or CTPs, act as "hinges" between basic and clinical research. As such, they are intended to ensure that new findings are swiftly incorporated into patient care and vice versa, that new questions quickly find their way into clinical research.

The Medical Faculty of the WWU has already established a number of such professorships as it considers CTPs to be a key element in clinical translational research. Particularly when established in strong research-focused areas, they contribute significantly to the profile of the location. CTPs are part of a successful translational concept and an attractive target position for potential faculty career models.