KEYNOTE LECTURE

Novel Mechanisms of Neurogenesis and Neural Repair

Prof.  Magdalena Götz is one of the most important figures in the field of neuroscience. A pioneer in the study of neurogenesis, Prof. Götz discovered that glial cells function as neural stem cells. She was among the first scientists to investigate the way these cells may be reprogrammed to perform as neurons, thus providing a fascinating preview into the brain repair technology of tomorrow. 

Prof. Magdalena Götz was awarded the Leibniz Prize – “the highest honor awarded in German research” – in 2007 for laying the foundation of neural stem cell research. 

Prof. Götz aims to elucidate the mystery behind adult brain repair. Along with her team of researchers, she closely examined neurogenesis in the adult murine brain and then compared this process with the one that occurs in the developmental stages. This way, the team investigated the exhaustive mechanism behind neurogenesis. They also examined the way different glial cells react in the case of brain injury, in order to determine which type is best suited to become a neural stem cell. And finally, they managed to regenerate neurons in areas affected by brain injury, where neurogenesis does not normally occur, by inserting fate determining factors.

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ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Magdalena Götz

Prof. Magdalena Götz is best known for her research in the field of neurogenesis. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards, most notably the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 2007, for her groundbreaking work.

Prof. Magdalena Götz is the Director of the Institute of Stem Cell Research at the Helmholtz Center Munich. She is also the chair of Physiological Genomics at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Prof. Götz has held a Research Professorship at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich since 2011. She is a member of the Synergy Board as well as a Principal Investigator in the Münch Cluster for Systems Neurology. She has twice been awarded funding by the European Research Council and she is a member of numerous scientific advisory boards of research institutions.