History
History of Neuroscience in Magdeburg
The neuroscience research cluster has a long tradition in Magdeburg, dating back to the late 1950s. Here you will find the key facts about the development of brain research in Magdeburg.
since 1954: The development of neuroscience in Magdeburg
Since the founding of the Magdeburg Medical Academy in 1954, neuroscientific research has developed into one of the institution’s defining research priorities. As the doyen of neuroscience in Magdeburg, the pharmacologist and later founding director of the Academy’s Institute for Neurobiology and Brain Research, Hansjürgen Matthies, established a pioneering concept for researching the physiological and neurochemical foundations of neuronal plasticity and learning and memory processes.
since 1967: International symposia in Magdeburg
To promote collaboration with international laboratories, a neuropharmacological symposium initiated by Hansjürgen Matthies was held in Magdeburg in May 1967. This event gave rise to the series of International Magdeburg Symposia on Learning and Memory, which continues to this day, taking place every five years and bringing leading experts from around the world to Magdeburg.
since 1992: Partnerships to promote neuroscience research in Magdeburg
Following German reunification, the establishment of what is now the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology Magdeburg in 1992 and the appointment of Henning Scheich as its founding director created a strong partner for the then-emerging Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (founded in 1993). Through cross-faculty collaborations, a centre of excellence for neuroscientific research was established, in which non-invasive imaging of brain processes played a major role from the very beginning.
since 1996: First DFG-funded Research Training Group
The first DFG-funded Research Training Group RTG253, “Neurobiological Basis of Diseases of the Nervous System”, led by the neurochemist Georg Reiser, marked the beginning of better coordination and structuring of doctoral training in the neurosciences in Magdeburg according to uniform standards. Further RTGs followed with RTG1167 “Cell-Cell Communication in the Nervous and Immune Systems: Topological Organisation of Signalling Pathways” 2005–2014 (co-directors: Michael Naumann & Eckart Gundelfinger), the Leibniz Graduate School “Synaptogenetics” 2011–2014 (co-director: Eckart Gundelfinger) and the International Graduate School ABINEP 2016–2022 (co-directors: Volkmar Lehmann & Constanze Seidenbecher).
since 1997: DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centres in neuroscience as key structural elements for the region
Led by the physiologist Hans-Christian Pape, neuroscientists in Magdeburg conducted research within the CRC426 “Limbic Structures and Functions” into the limbic system, which plays a key role in the interaction between cognition and emotion. This led to the formation in 2006 of Clinical Research Group 163 “Cognitive Control of Memory Functions”, led by Emrah Düzel and Hans-Jochen Heinze. From 2005 to 2017, Magdeburg was home to the DFG Transregio-SFB TRR 31 “The active auditory system”, which was run in collaboration with the University of Oldenburg (led by Georg M. Klump).
since 2004: Neuroscience as a priority area of excellence for the state of Saxony-Anhalt
As part of the State of Saxony-Anhalt’s Excellence Initiative, neuroscience was identified in 2004 as a priority area for research and earmarked for special funding. The neurologist Hans-Jochen Heinze – one of the key figures in shaping the region’s post-reunification landscape – played a major role in this.
since 2007: Establishment of the CBBS
Thanks to the efforts of Henning Scheich and Hans-Jochen Heinze, the CBBS was formally established in 2007 as a central scientific institution of the OVGU Magdeburg in accordance with Section 99 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, under the rectorate of Klaus Erich Pollmann. Alongside Scheich and Heinze, the founding advisory board also included the Magdeburg-based pharmacologist Volker Höllt, the psychologist Thomas Münte and the molecular biologist Eckart Gundelfinger. With its direct affiliation to the Rector’s Office, the CBBS functions as an institution-independent umbrella structure that coordinates the centre’s strategic direction through targeted appointments and the expansion of its infrastructure.
since 2008: Funding for the CBBS
The CBBS receives ongoing funding of over 20 million euros from the State of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). These funds are allocated on a competitive basis, among other things to establish new research groups: “Molecular and Systemic Neuropharmacology” led by Ralf Stumm 2008–2010, “Cognitive Neuroscience” with Gerhard Jocham 2016–2022, “Methods in Psychology” led by Michael Hanke 2016–2022, “Clinical Developmental Psychology” led by Claudia Preuschhof 2016–2022, “Neurocognitive Development” led by Nicole Wetzel 2017–2023 (LIN) and “Neural Circuits and Network Dynamics” led by Janelle Pakan 2017–2023.
since 2008: two new collaborative research centres in neuroscience
Two Collaborative Research Centres funded by the German Research Foundation built on the groundwork laid by large CBBS consortia: the CRC779 “Neurobiology of Motivated Behaviour” (2008–2019), led by Thomas Münte and, from 2010, by Frank Ohl, and the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TRR62 “A Companion Technology for Cognitive Technical Systems” in collaboration with the University of Ulm (2009–2017, led by Susanne Biundo-Stephan).
since 2009: the DZNE has joined us as a strong partner
Thanks to the strong support of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, a branch of the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), part of the Helmholtz Association, was successfully established in Magdeburg. In 2011, Emrah Düzel, a Magdeburg-based neurologist and expert on the ageing brain, was appointed as the site spokesperson.
since 2013: CBBS members have been successful in the ERC competition
In 2013, Thomas Wolbers became the first CBBS member to receive an ERC Starting Grant. He also secured an ERC Proof-of-Concept Grant in 2018. In 2017, Gerhard Jocham was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, and Esther Kühn was successful in the ERC Starting Grant competition in 2020, as was Markus Ullsperger in the ERC Advanced Grant competition in 2021, and in 2025, Sanja Bauer Mikulovic was awarded an ERC Starting Grant.
since 2015: the CBBS has been funded by the Leibniz Association
In 2015, the CBBS secured two grants from the Leibniz Association: the Leibniz ScienceCampus and the Leibniz Postdoc Network. The Postdoc Network investigated the significance of monoamines for brain networks, whilst the ScienceCampus focused on how insights into the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of brain plasticity can be incorporated into medical practice.
since 2017: CBBS has established its own graduate programme
To further expand its support for young researchers, the CBBS has established a graduate programme. It is designed to facilitate the exchange of information and experience and to strengthen networking among undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral candidates.
since 2019: new DFG Research Training Group
CBBS researchers secured funding for the DFG Research Training Group 2413 “SynAGE” (led by Daniela Dieterich, and from 2024 by Oliver Stork), which investigates ageing processes at synapses and supports doctoral research in medicine and the natural sciences across 11 CBBS laboratories.
since 2021: new neuroscience networks are raising the profile
The Collaborative Research Centre 1436 “Neural Resources of Cognition”, led by Emrah Düzel and Michael Kreutz, brings together 26 CBBS laboratories to investigate how the brain’s cognitive potential can be maintained and enhanced at the molecular level and within brain networks. Michael Kreutz is also spokesperson for DFG Research Group 5228 “Syntophagy”, launched in 2021, which investigates synaptic autophagy processes for the maintenance of synaptic function.
since 2021: Partner at the German Centre for Mental Health
In partnership with Halle and Jena, a Central German branch of the German Centre for Mental Health (DZPG) has been established. The partnership’s name, C-I-R-C, is derived from the term ‘circuit’ – referring to a network – and signifies, on the one hand, the networks of nerve cells in the brain and how they connect with the body, and, on the other hand, the underlying network of experts across the three Central German university cities. The outstanding facilities and excellent expertise in the field of imaging neural processes from the micro to the macro scale were also decisive factors in the centre’s inclusion in the DZPG.