MD Projects

Anna Zweigerdt

Roles of the hippo pathway kinase Ndr2 in GABAergic interneurons throughout the forebrain, regarding exploratory activity and emotional behavior in mice (project A2)

I am a medical student at Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg. My main interests include molecular neuroscience, along with neurology and psychiatry. Therefore, as a member of the SynAGE Research Training Group 2413, I am currently doing my MD thesis in the Stork Lab at the Institute of Biology.

For my thesis, I am characterizing a Dlx5/6-driven conditional Ndr2 knockout mouse line to further investigate the role of Ndr2 in forebrain GABAergic interneurons. As a member of the Hippo signaling pathway, the kinase Ndr2 plays a key role in regulating tissue growth, neuronal development, cognitive function, and healthy brain aging. To explore its role in interneurons, I will conduct behavioral tests and apply molecular methods such as immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

Julia Gatzen

Episodic memory network connectivity with aging and Alzheimer’s disease pathology in cognitively unimpaired older adults (project D1)

I’m studying human medicine at the OvGU Magdeburg. During my studies, I developed a great fascination with the complexity of the brain. Therefore, since October 2024, I’ve been a medical doctoral student in the Maass research group at DZNE and a member of the SynAGE Research Training Group 2413.

In my project, I use resting-state magnetic resonance imaging to investigate functional connectivity patterns in the human brain. My focus is on the influence of pathological changes typical of Alzheimer’s disease in aging and how these relate to memory performance.

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Ali Celik

Synaptic insulin resistence in primary hippocampal neurons: Molecular analysis of TNF-α-induced AKT inactivation and pharmacological rescue via PKC-α inhibition in primary hippocampal neurons (project E1)

I am a medical student at Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg with a strong interest in molecular biology, physiology, and biochemistry. As part of my MD thesis, I am working in the lab of Dr. Kreutz at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, in the research group for Neuroplasticity.

In my project, I investigate the molecular mechanisms of insulin signaling and neuroinflammation in primary hippocampal neurons. Specifically, I aim to understand how proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α interfere with insulin-induced AKT activation at the synapse, potentially contributing to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative processes. To explore these mechanisms, I apply molecular techniques including western blotting and immunocytochemistry, as well as pharmacological interventions. A particular focus lies on the role of the serine/threonine kinase PKC-α. By analyzing pAKT/AKT and pAKT/β-actin ratios across different treatment conditions—with and without PKC-α inhibition—I aim to characterize the dynamics of synaptic insulin resistance and its modulation. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of early molecular changes in insulin signaling pathways and their potential role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.