Researchers Gather in Lübeck in Preparation for DFG Collaborative Research Center Proposal

Lübeck, February 25, 2026 — The Institute of Neurogenetics at the University of Lübeck hosted an intensive two-day scientific meeting this week, bringing together researchers from partner institutions across Europe. Colleagues unable to attend in person joined the discussions virtually, underlining the truly international character of the collaboration.

The meeting was held in preparation for the submission of a proposal for a Collaborative Research Center (CRC) on Reduced Penetrance in Hereditary Brain Disorders to the German Research Foundation (DFG). The proposal is scheduled to be defended in June 2026.

The CRC initiative addresses one of the most compelling open questions in neurogenetics: why do some individuals who carry a disease-causing genetic variant never develop symptoms? This phenomenon — known as reduced penetrance — is central to understanding hereditary movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and holds significant promise for the development of personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

Over the course of two days, scientists spanning molecular biology, neuroimaging, computational modeling, biostatistics, and medical ethics exchanged ideas and aligned on the path forward. The breadth of expertise represented reflects both the complexity of the research questions and the team's commitment to addressing them comprehensively.

Prof. Christine Klein, Director of the Institute of Neurogenetics and Schilling Professor of Neurogenetics and Neurology at the University of Lübeck, leads the collaborative effort together with colleagues from partner institutions across Europe.

Further updates on the CRC proposal and the Institute's research activities will be shared in the coming months.