ISF

The Institute of Stem Cell Research (ISF) investigates the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms for stem cell maintenance and stem cell differentiation (Camargo et al., Nature, 2019, O'Neill et al., Science, 2022). On this basis, the ISF develops approaches for the replacement of degenerated cell types, either by activation of endogenous stem cells or by re-programming other endogenous cells for repair (Russo et al., Cell Stem Cell, 2021, Sonsala et al., Neuron, 2024, Pereira et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2024).

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The institute is devoted to understand stem cell function better – especially how they generate the functional cells of an organ. This implies studying the balance between self-renewal and differentiation and generally how cell fate is established and stabilized. We use molecular tools, in particular CRISPR and viral vector tools, as well as cell biological tools to understand and manipulate these fundamental processes in order to utilize the mechanisms identified for replacing cells lost in disease. We have implemented this by the discovery of glia-to-neuron reprogramming (Heins et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2002), which we have by now established not only in the murine injured brain in vivo (Gascón et al., Cell Stem Cell, 2016), but also for human glial cells that we can efficiently convert into new neurons (Sonsalla et al., Neuron, 2024). Unexpectedly, not only transcriptional regulation plays a key role in direct reprogramming (Pereira et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2024), but also the highly cell-type-specific composition of organelles, such as mitochondria (Russo et al., Cell Stem Cell, 2021). Indeed, we discovered recently that pan-cellular organelles considered to function rather similar across cell types differ profoundly between even closely-related cell types (Camargo et al., Nature, 2019; O’Neill et al., Science, 2022). This discovery of organellar heterogeneity (Schieweck and Götz, Genes Dev., 2024) allows not only to understand how ubiquitous proteins can cause an organ-specific phenotype when mutated in patients (because only in some organs they are at the centrosome and cause a specific phenotype there), but also to improve fate conversion towards more healthy neurons (Russo et al., Cell Stem Cell, 2021; Sonsalla et al., Neuron, 2024).

Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. Hand is replacing part of a DNA molecule.

Principle investigator Dr. Stefan H. Stricker joined the Institute for Stem Cell Research at the Helmholtz Zentrum München as a guest scientist associated with the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich. Since December 2016 he is the head of the MCN Junior Research group "Epigenome Editing" at the BioMedical Center.

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Double helix DNA molecule with modified genes , Correcting mutation by genetic engineering

The Gene Editing Group is dedicated to discovering, developing, and applying innovative genetic tools that drive translational advances in cell and gene therapies.

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Fluoreszenzaufnahme / Nervenzelle (Neuron)

We investigate the mechanisms and metabolic pathways driving the direct reprogramming of differentiated mouse and human cells into functional neurons, aiming at a comprehensive understanding of the conversion process.

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A close-up visualization of the CRISPR Cas9 mechanism at work, showcasing the intricate molecular interactions involved in gene editing.

A research team led by Prof. Stefan Stricker at Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University has developed TAPIR, a CRISPR-based technology that enables precise control of protein production in cells. The method provides new insights into the…

When Cytoskeletal Proteins Act in the Cell Nucleus

The cytoskeleton gives cells their shape and helps them move. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the Ludwig Maximilian University now show that, in neural stem cells, proteins of the cytoskeleton are also found in the cell nucleus, where they can…

With the launch of its first funding period, the M1 – Munich Medicine Alliance is entering its active translation phase in Munich. As part of the “Innovations for Patients” program, the alliance is funding seven research projects with a total of…

According to the World Health Organization, around 300 million people worldwide suffer from genetic disorders – and for most of them, no effective treatments exist. A research team at the Institute of Stem Cell Research at Helmholtz Munich is…

2025 Future Insight Prize Awarded to Magdalena Götz for Breakthroughs in Brain Regeneration

Merck, a leading science and technology company, awarded the 2025 Future Insight Prize to Prof. Magdalena Götz from Helmholtz Munich. The award – a € 250,000 research grant – recognizes Götz’s pioneering work in the field of regenerative…

Outstanding achievements in early-career research and academic mentoring were celebrated at an award ceremony held on July 2 at Helmholtz Munich. Two Doctoral Researcher Awards and the Best Supervisor Award were presented – prestigious honors that…

The centrosome was for the longest time considered similar between cells – new data obtained in this project revise this concept and propose new functions.

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