Genome Engineering and Model Development Unit (GEMD)

The main task of the core unit is to further develop existing and to establish new organotypic human cultures, to use cutting-edge techniques to manipulate the genome of these models as well as the generation of genetically modified animal models (e.g. C. elegans). In the medium term, the development of the following models is planned for research field 1: lung models based on primary cells which allow the exposure with airborne particles and nanoparticles in the air flow; for research field 3: improvement of existing neurosphere models and development of brain organoids; for research field 2 and 4: long-term cultivable (up to 6 months), human, three dimensional skin models from fibroblasts and keratinocytes.