What happens at the molecular level during smelling, seeing and hearing? The "Molecular basis of sensory biology" research training group at the University of Oldenburg has been focussing on this question since 2013. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has now approved the continuation of the programme for a further four and a half years.
Thirteen doctoral students from various disciplines are currently conducting research in the Research Training Group together with Oldenburg scientists from the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. The core question is whether common molecular principles can be derived from sensory processes such as sight, smell, hearing, the perception of the earth's magnetic field in birds or the detection of chemical substances in bacteria. These could inspire new technical systems, for example in biomedicine.
"With its decision, the DFG is once again recognising the research achievements in molecular sensory physiology and the quality of doctoral training at our university," says University President Prof. Dr Dr Hans Michael Piper. The Research Training Group is particularly characterised by its intensive interdisciplinary approach. "The collaboration between chemists, physicists and biologists has already visibly advanced research in this field. Now it's time to build on these successes."
Better understanding of sensory systems
The scientists in the Research Training Group are researching very different ends of projects - but they all have a common goal: to develop a better understanding of the cellular and molecular processes in sensory systems, i.e. the parts of the organism that are responsible for the reception and processing of sensory perceptions. It is known that organisms perceive signals from their environment - for example physical or chemical stimuli - with high precision and sensitivity. Special proteins, so-called receptor molecules, play an important role here: they convert the externally perceived signal and make it "readable" for the cell. Special signalling pathways then pass the information on within the cell so that a reaction can be initiated if necessary - for example, the metabolism could be boosted to ensure survival despite changing environmental conditions. For these complex processing pathways to function precisely, everything has to work well together. This is ensured by molecular switch mechanisms.
"If we want to understand the connections at a molecular level even better, we need interdisciplinary research approaches," emphasises Prof. Dr Karl-Wilhelm Koch, head of the Biochemistry working group and spokesperson for the Research Training Group. "In the first funding period, we used cell biological and molecular biological methods in almost all doctoral projects - often in combination with biophysical techniques," says Koch. In addition, there are other interdisciplinary approaches that will be pursued further in the second funding period.
Researching genetically caused malfunctions
The researchers will also be focussing on genetically determined malfunctions of the visual and auditory system. In this way, the young scientists can acquire background knowledge and practical experience with different scientific theories and technologies, says Koch. "We expect that physical model systems will contribute to a better understanding of sensory phenomena in organisms." In addition, biological concepts could inspire the development of new technical systems - for example in biomedicine.
DFG Research Training Groups are institutions at universities that promote young researchers. The aim of the DFG is to qualify doctoral candidates, support their scientific independence and prepare them for the complex "science" labour market. "Molecular basis of sensory biology" is one of six that the DFG is currently funding at the University of Oldenburg.
