The Jochen Guck Award recognizes the work of Konstantin Hein and Humberto Romero Limon for their research on how highly organized structures in the mammalian brain are maintained over time. Disorganization of these structures is often associated with functional decline in neurological diseases. However, it remains unclear how such stereotypical architectures are maintained over time. For their research, the scientists from the Toda group “Neural Epigenomics” at MPZPM investigated this process using the hippocampus – the center of learning and memory – as a model system. 

In the mammalian brain, most neurons are formed during early developmental stages. They form highly organized structures whose maintenance is essential for proper brain function. The scientists of the research group “Neural Epigenomics” of Prof. Tomohisa Toda and the division “Cell Physics” of the late Prof. Jochen Guck, both located at MPZPM, identified nuclear lamins and nuclear mechanics as key contributors to maintaining tissue organization in the adult brain. For their research, the team combined biophysical, molecular biological, and computational techniques.