Mechanisms, functions and evoution of Wnt-signaling pathways

DFG自2008年12月起资助了一个研究小组（Forschergruppe），该小组专注于分析wnt信号网络。这种调节模块对胚胎发育至关重要，并对许多人类疾病负责。wnt型生长因子引发的信号事件是一个竞争性研究领域，与生物学和医学研究具有高度相关性。8个研究wnt信号不同方面的小组加入了Forschergruppe。参与小组隶属于海德堡大学（T. Holstein, Zoology； S. Özbek, Zoology； S. Hardt, Cardiologie； H. Steinbeisser, Human Genetics）、卡尔斯鲁厄大学（D. Wedlich, Zoology； D. Gradl, Zoology）和海德堡德国癌症研究中心（DKFZ） （M. Boutros； C. Niehrs）。Forschergruppe解决了以下问题：- wnt蛋白是如何修饰、分泌的，以及-它们是如何形成活性梯度的？- wnt信号级联的组成部分如何在细胞内外相互作用？- wnt信号分子在器官形成和重塑中的作用是什么？该小组使用结构功能方法，这需要从生物化学，结构生物学，细胞生物学和生理学的技术库。成员们贡献了一套非常互补的专业知识和实验模型。在这种情况下，Forschergruppe成员使用的动物/胚胎模型（Hydra/Nematostella; Drosophila, Xenopus and mouse）尤为重要。

The DFG funds since December 2008 the research group (Forschergruppe) which focuses on the analysis of the Wnt-signaling network. This regulator module is essential for embryonic development and is responsible for a number of human diseases. The signaling event triggered by Wnt-type growth factors are competitive research filed with high relevance for biological and medical research. 8 groups which work on different aspects of Wnt-signaling joined the Forschergruppe. The participating groups are affiliated with the University Heidelberg (T. Holstein, Zoology; S. Özbek, Zoology; S. Hardt, Cardiologie; H. Steinbeisser, Human Genetics), the University Karlsruhe (D. Wedlich, Zoology; D. Gradl, Zoology) und with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg (M. Boutros; C. Niehrs). The Forschergruppe addresses the following questions:- How are Wnt-proteins modified, secreted and - how do they form activity gradients?- How do components of the Wnt-signaling cascade interact inside and outside the cell?- What are the roles of Wnt-signaling molecules in organ formation and remodeling?The group uses a structure function approach which requires an arsenal of techniques from biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology and physiology. The members contribute a very complementary set of expertise and experimental models. In this context the animal /embryo models (Hydra/Nematostella; Drosophila, Xenopus und mouse) used by members of the Forschergruppe are of particular importance.