INSTITUT FÜR

BIOLOGIE

Welcome to the web pages of the research group for Epigenetics and Structural Plasticity

Our major aim is to investigate mechanisms induced by early traumatic experiences and their impact for the development of functional brain systems and behavioural capacities later in life. Specifically, we work on different animal models that use early-life stress (prenatal stress, postnatal stress) as an environmental challenge to induce symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depression or ADHD. Our experimental approaches include the comparison of vulnerability vs. resilience, gender specific effects and the transgenerational transmission of epigenetic and behavioural alterations and combine molecular (gene expression, epigenetic mechanisms), cellular (neuronal structure, immunohistochemistry), systemic (functional imaging) and behavioural techniques (including behavioural pharmacology).