Projekt

Motile cilia are tiny hair-like structures on the surface of living organisms that move back and forth to push fluids. It is assumed that cilia in vertebrates are limited to generating a uniform bulk flow rather than targeted flows. In contrast, this project's hypothesis is that the ciliated cells lining the fluid-filled brain ventricles in vertebrates can create spatially and possibly temporarily variable patterns of fluid transport. Drawing from its expertise in biological fluid dynamics and neuroscience, the research team has been developing experimental and computational tools for exploring these questions. In collaboration with experts in development brain biology, the project's aim is to generate proof-of-concept data. The discovery of variable flow patterns in the cerebral ventricles could revolutionize the understanding of how cerebrospinal fluid influences brain development, regeneration, sleep, and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Dr. Janna Nawroth

  Helmholtz Zentrum München
  Deutsches Forschungszentrum für
  Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)
  Helmholtz Pioneer Campus
  Oberschleißheim