The Project
Epigenetic mechanisms in learning processes, age related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases
Winner
Dr. Andre Fischer
European Neuroscience Institute
Grisebach Str. 5
37077 Goettingen
Germany
Thirty-two year old German citizen, Andre Fischer, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, following two fellowships at Harvard Medical School and the Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine. At the latter institution, he received his PhD in neuroscience, and the Georg-August University award for an outstanding doctoral thesis. Dr. Fischer supervises undergraduate and PhD students and has shared his neuroscience expertise in numerous journals and symposia.
Project Description
Learning & Memory processes are essential for our existence. However, during aging cognitive function declines. Aging is also the main risk factor for various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which are an increasing economic and social burden to our societies. In Fischer’s recent work he has found that increasing histone-acetylation increases synaptic function and reinstates learning behavior and access to long-term memories even after severe synaptic and neuronal loss has already occurred.
The proposed research plan will further elucidate learning and memory processes and help to develop therapeutic strategies for cognitive diseases. His research will be interdisciplinary; combining in vitro and in vivo approaches using genetic, biochemical, pharmacological and behavioral techniques.
