EXplained: SyNergy with Thomas Misgeld

Systematically towards new therapies

Brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and strokes are among the greatest medical challenges of our time. The SyNergy Cluster of Excellence aims to understand the complex interactions between nerve cells, the immune system and the vascular system, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutic approaches. Rather than examining these processes in isolation, the focus is on a systemic view of their interaction to understand the common mechanisms of neurological diseases.

During the new funding period, this approach will be further refined. Key processes whose disruptions can contribute to the development of neurological diseases will be examined in more detail: communication between nerve cells, the role of immune reactions and the brain's energy supply. To this end, state-of-the-art imaging techniques, molecular analyses and AI-supported models will be combined to gain a holistic understanding of development and potential treatments.

SyNergy has been funded by the German Research Foundation as part of the Excellence Strategy since 2012 and will enter its third funding phase in 2026. Joint applicants are the Technical University of Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Helmholtz Munich and several Max Planck Institutes are also involved.