New graduate school in Dresden: Revolutionary research on cell biology!

New graduate school in Dresden: Revolutionary research on cell biology!

A new graduate school at the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) will begin work in 2026. With the title GRK 3120 “Biomolecular Condensates: From Physics to Biological Functions”, the college is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a budget of around 7 million euros for five years. The focus of the college is on biomolecular condensates, which function as membraneless structures in cells and organize biological processes.

The central research goals include the investigation of phase transitions and collective interactions of biopolymers. These are intended to provide insights into fundamental life processes and their medical relevance, especially for neurodegenerative diseases. Particular attention is paid to collaboration between different scientific disciplines to understand the complex mechanisms of protein and macromolecule cooperation.

Historical significance and interdisciplinary approaches

Dresden has a historical significance in research on biomolecular condensates. These structures were originally discovered by Anthony Hyman and Clifford Brangwynne. The new graduate school will work in close collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research (IPF), the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). By supporting doctoral students, interdisciplinary research between the fields of biology, physics and polymer research is strengthened.

Prof. Jens-Uwe Sommer, the speaker of the college and professor of polymer theory at TUD, emphasizes the importance of this project for the scientific community. The development of a robust network in cell biology, biochemistry and physics should further advance research into biological functions and their disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases and biomolecular condensates

In recent years, research on biomolecular condensates has emerged as particularly relevant to understanding neurodegenerative diseases. Eukaryotic cells utilize these membraneless assemblies of proteins and nucleic acids to create organelle-specific environments. The process of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays a central role, especially in neurons that are characterized by specific structural features.

During the development of neurodegenerative diseases, these biomolecular structures often become solidified. These phenomena can be observed, for example, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), where mutations in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) influence phase transitions and can lead to the formation of pathological aggregates. Phase separation also plays a crucial role in Huntington's disease and tauopathies, which are associated with neurofibrillary tangles.

At the university hospitals, for example under the direction of Prof. Dr. Jonas Hosp in Freiburg, research is carried out on the development and validation of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of diseases such as Alzheimer's. These multimodal biomarkers include imaging techniques, CSF and serum analyses, which together should enable precise subtyping and therapy control in order to optimize new approaches to treatment.

Research into the neuroimmunological mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders is highlighted as another important aspect. The establishment of a “Freiburg Memory Register” for the systematic recording of biomarkers is a promising initiative that also brings multidisciplinary collaboration with other clinics and institutes into play.