Our Measures

SyNergy will accomplish its aims as follows:

Tandem Projects:

These are highly collaborative research projects aimed at improving our understanding of degenerative, inflammatory and glio-vascular disease. The projects combine expertise across traditional pathomechanisms, as well as systems biology and systems neuroscience tools. Furthermore, in many projects research efforts of basic scientists and clinicians are bundled. This allows us to combine approaches that range from in vitro models to investigator-initiated trials. Three Research Areas have been specified (see below). Importantly, the portfolio of projects within the cluster is not static, but allows for addition of new projects and investigators as topics and techniques in systems neurology emerge.

SyNergy Professors:

We will recruit new SyNergy Professors with expertise in disease-crossing research and systems neurology approaches. Two professorships have already been financed by LMU. Others will be guaranteed by the host universities as part of the establishment of the cluster and will be integrated into the universities' tenure-track concepts.

Clinician-Scientist Groups:

To promote early career researchers and train clinician-scientists in the methods and concepts of systems neurology, we will offer attractive clinician-scientist packages that ensure full independence, while offering mentoring by senior scientists. The LMU and TUM neurology departments have agreed to implement a fast track towards board certification ("Facharzt") for these young neurologists.

Young scientists:

We will offer comprehensive training opportunities ranging from science exposure for high school pupils to promoting independence for post-docs. We will collaborate with 3 well-established Ph.D. programs (GSN, IMPRS-LS and TUM-Ph.D. program "Medical Life Science and Technology") to offer structured training and establish a "Systems Neurology Module" that will be integrated into the training programs of the collaborating schools. Post-docs will be given unique opportunities for early independence and international exchange.

Gender equality, family and dual career support:

We will establish a career-stage specific gender and family support program that combines mentoring, financial help and gender mainstreaming to improve the career prospects of female and parent-scientist within SyNergy. Moreover, comprehensive dual career support will be provided by both universities.