CRC Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling

The research of CRC 1324 focuses on so-called Wnt proteins, which control central processes in embryonic development and cell differentiation as well as in tumorigenesis. These proteins arose very early in the evolution of animals and also play an important role in human diseases. As universal developmental factors in the animal kingdom, they regulate organ development and control stem cell behaviour; they are also involved in the formation of the body axes and pattern formation. Aberrations in the signalling network due to mutations or epigenetic dysregulation can result in severe diseases such as cancer. The participating scientists in the Collaborative Research Centre are investigating the Wnt signalling pathway using biochemical, biophysical, genetic and mathematical approaches. After focusing in particular on mechanisms of Wnt signal transduction in the first funding period, the Heidelberg life science researchers will now turn their attention to transferring the gained knowledge into a spatial and temporal context during organ development and in the development of diseases. In the second funding period, the spokesperson of the CRC is Prof. Dr Michael Boutros from the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. The DFG is funding CRC 1324 “Mechanisms and Functions of the Wnt Signaling Pathway” with approximately 11.5 million euros.

The spokespersonship resides at the Medical Faculty Mannheim, our faculty participates with Prof. Dr. Anna Marciniak-Czochra as Principal Investigator.