Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Branko Zevnik
in vivo Research FacilityCECAD, University of Cologne
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26
50931 Cologne, Germany
+49 221 478-84055
branko.zevnik@uk-koeln.de
Dr. rer. nat. Astrid Claudia Schauss
CECAD Imaging FacilityCECAD, University of Cologne
Joseph-Stelzmann Str. 26
50931 Cologne, Germany
+49 221 478-84027
aschauss@uni-koeln.de
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Jan Ulrich Becker
Institute of PathologyUniversity Hospital Cologne
Kerpener Str. 62
50937 Cologne, Germany
+49 221 478-98803
jan.becker@uk-koeln.de
Dr. Martin Höhne
Department II of Internal MedicineCECAD, University Hospital Cologne
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26
50931 Cologne, Germany
+49 221 478-84174
martin.hoehne@uk-koeln.de
Addresses of the institutions that will host the project:
CECAD, University of Cologne
Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 2650931 Cologne, Germany
Institute of Pathology
University Hospital of CologneKerpener Str. 62
50937 Cologne, Germany
Central project 2
In vivo models, phenotyping and imaging
The generation and systematic standardized analysis of research models at an organismal level is fundamental for all projects within this consortium. This will be coordinated by the central project CP2. B. Zevnik, head of the in vivo Research Facility (ivRF) at CECAD and his team of the Transgene Service Unit, will support each project to develop sophisticated novel models to investigate podocyte biology and pathophysiology in vivo. Heighly advanced genetic approaches include the combination of distinct DNA recombinases, multicistronic knock-in strategies with 2a-peptides and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies as well as AAV gene transfer and, ultimately, aim to delete or precidely modify any gene of interest or to re-express transgenes in a time- and cost-efficient manner in podocytes exclusively. This in vivo pipeline will be instrumental to fulfill our mission to explore novel therapeutic approaches to treat FSGS. The phenotypic analysis of animal models requires state-of-the-art imaging encompassing electron microscopy as well as light microscopy of histological sections. J.U. Becker, a reknown nephropathologist at UoC, will evaluate all kidney sections offering a reference nephropathology for all animal models. We envision that organizing acquisition and analysis of images as a central core project will add a significant value to the single projects. This will be coordinated by M. Höhne together with A. Schauss.
In general, a clear data management strategy for data generation, data integration and data exchange will be essential to facilitate the communication and exchange between the individual projects. Thus, a central data platform will be provided by CP2 that covers all original data and information on (1) gene targeting, animal genotypes, phenotypes and treatment protocols, (2) histological data and reports similar to CP3, and (3) confocal/multiphoton/STED/EM imaging data.