Prof. Dr. Dr. Maria Adele Rüger
Our group’s scientific focus lies on the modulation of endogenous neural stem cells‘ (eNSC) regenerative capacities in vitro and in vivo: Both mobilization and activation of eNSC are directed by a complex cross-talk with local immune cells – microglia – whose activating and functional state depend on the onset and type of neural damage. Elucidating the multi-facetted cell-to-cell communication between the neighbouring cerebral cell entities, we aim at establishing potential therapeutic interventions directly on eNSC and, moreover, at developing pro-regenerative pharmacological procedures to interfere with microglial cell modulation. In this context, we consolidate our expertise in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for a better understanding of its neurobiological impacts on central nervous cell types and their immunomodulatory interactions.