Institute of Reconstructive NeurobiologyTeaching
Internships
Internships for students in the fields of medicine, biology, biochemistry and related disciplines are offered upon request. Please contact our office for further information.
Modules organized by the Reconstructive Neurobiology Group:
Practical Course ‘From Bench to Bedside’ for the Study Program ‘Molecular Biomedicine’
General information
• 1 week (03.-07.11.2025, to be confirmed), 10:00 to 17:00 h
• Course rooms at the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Building, 4th floor
This four week practical course (elective module A) for the Study Program Molecular Biomedicine is conducted in cooperation with the LIMES Institute, the Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, the Institute of Pathology and the Institute of Human Genetics.
The fourth week, carried out at IRN, is focused on ‘Programming Stem Cells for Neurological Disease Modeling and Therapy Development’. It provides information on the development of the central nervous system, insight into targeted differentiation of stem cells into neural subtypes and know-how on the generation of 3D cortical-like organoids. Particular focus is put on methods of reprogramming into iPS cells, direct conversion into neural cells and the use of these in vitro generated cells for disease modeling.
Practical Course ‘Developmental Neurobiology, Stem Cells and Disease’ for the Study Program ‘Master of Neuroscience’
General information
• 2 weeks (01.-12.09.2025), 10:00 to 17:00 h
• Course rooms at the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Building, 4th floor
Together with the lecture series Developmental Neurobiology, Stem Cells and Disease, this course is part of the elective module WPM 7 of the study program Master of Neuroscience.
During this practical course students gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the central nervous system in mouse and human. They learn about tools used in mouse genetics and cell programming strategies applied in human stem cell biology. In particular, they acquire knowledge on the generation of iPS cells and their genetic modification via genome editing.
After successful participation, attendees should know when to apply these tools for experimentally addressing questions relating to mouse developmental biology, human stem cell biology and genome editing.
Key skills qualifications:
Attendees perform immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization on mouse brain sections and analyze the specimens using advanced microscopy techniques. In addition, students get insight into transcription factor based fate programming, learn to establish 3D cultures and get to know the principles of image-based analyses of cellular phenotypes. A particular focus will be on the development of a project plan to address research questions in the area of neurodevelopment and/or stem cell biology. In this context the possibilities but also limitations of the applied techniques will be discussed with tutors and lectures.
Practical Course ‘Molecular Tools for Stem and Developmental Biology’ for the Study Program ‘Master of Molecular Cell Biology’
General information
• 2 weeks (01.-12.09.2025), 10:00 to 17:00 h
• Course rooms at the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Building, 4th floor
This course is an elective module (EM-22) of the study program Master of Molecular Cell Biology.
During this practical course students gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the central nervous system in mouse and human. They learn about tools used in mouse genetics and cell programming strategies applied in human stem cell biology. In particular, they acquire knowledge on the generation of iPS cells and their genetic modification via genome editing.
After successful participation, attendees should know when to apply these tools for experimentally addressing questions relating to mouse developmental biology, human stem cell biology and genome editing.
Key skills qualifications:
Attendees perform immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization on mouse brain sections and analyze the specimens using advanced microscopy techniques. In addition, students get insight into transcription factor based fate programming, learn to establish 3D cultures and get to know the principles of image-based analyses of cellular phenotypes. A particular focus will be on the development of a project plan to address research questions in the area of neurodevelopment and/or stem cell biology. In this context the possibilities but also limitations of the applied techniques will be discussed with tutors and lectures.
Practical Course ‘Neural Stem Cells’ for the Study Program ‘Master of Neuroscience’ (WPP 3)
General information
• 8 weeks (Jan – March 2026), 09:00 to 17:00
• Project-based lab work at the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Building,
4th floor
In this 8-week internship, students work on a small research project. Supervised by an experienced postdoc, students gain knowledge on neural stem cell biology, acquire hands-on experience in controlled differentiation and characterization of stem cells and learn about reprogramming strategies as well as the therapeutic use of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cells for central nervous system diseases.
Depending on the available project, the main focus lies on:
• Neurodevelopmental genetics
• Cell programming
• Neural fate determination
• Direct conversion into neurons and glia
• Stem cell-based disease modeling
• Genetic modification of stem cells
• Generation of 3D organoids
• Image-based phenotype analysis
• Industrial applications of stem cells
Practical Course ‘Mandatory Basic Course’ for the Study Program ‘Molecular Cell Biology’
General information
• 1 week (February 2026), 10:00 to 17:00 h
• Course rooms at the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Building, 4th floor
Basic methods of molecular biology shall be learned and carried out independently in the practice. The course shall put the bases for subsequent ‘Elective modules’.
Workshop-Module M 20: ‘Stem Cell Biology: Cultivation, Manipulation and Differentiation of Stem Cells’ for the ‘Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience’.
Lecture series organized by the Reconstructive Neurobiology Group:
Lecture Series Stem Cell Biology
(accepted for Molecular Biomedicine, Wahlfach I Medizin)
Coordination: Prof. O. Brüstle
SS 25, Mon 17.30-18.00; EG Room 612/76, weekly
07.04.25 – Kick-off & Pluripotent Stem Cells and Reprogramming (Michael Peitz)
14.04.25 – The Role of Transcription Factors in Developmental Cell Specification (Sandra Blaess)
21.04.25 – Ostermontag – no lecture
28.04.25 – Germ Cells (Hubert Schorle)
05.05.25 – Transcription Factor Based Cell Programming (Jasmin Aicher)
12.05.25 – Neural Stem Cells (Oliver Brüstle)
19.05.25 – Genome Editing and Disease Modeling (Michael Peitz)
26.05.25 – Self-Organisation und 3D Cultures (Clara Hayn)
02.06.25 – Stem Cell Based Cancer Models in the CNS (Polina Oberst)
09.06.25 – Pfingstferien – no lecture
16.06.25 – Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Repair (Wilhelm Röll)
23.06.25 – Stem Cells in Ophthalmology (Volker Busskamp)
30.06.25 – Stem Cells and Neural Crest (Christian Felski)
Written exam Bachelor students
14.07.25 – 1. Exam: 17:30 h (seminar room 612/76)
15.09.25 – 2. Exam: 11:00 h (seminar room 612/76)
Exam medical students
Graded oral presentation of a recent high-impact publication
07.07.25 – 14-18:30 h (to be confirmed)
Make-up exam medical students (only if necessary)
14.07.25 – 14-18:30 h (to be confirmed)
Final program | Learning objective
Lecture Series Developmental Neurobiology, Stem Cells and Disease
(accepted for Master of Neuroscience, Master of Medical Immunosciences and Infection, Master of Molecular Biotechnology, Wahlfach I Medizin)
Coordination: Prof. O. Brüstle
SS 25 Wed 17.15 – 18.45; EG Room 612/76, weekly
09.04.25 – Kick-off & Neural Induction and Neurulation (Sandra Blaess)
16.04.25 – Fate Instruction and Regional Determination (Sandra Blaess)
23.04.25 – Stem Cells in the Adult Brain (Polina Oberst)
30.04.25 – Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Cortical Development (Oliver Brüstle)
07.05.25 – Glia Cells and Myelin (Andreas Till)
14.05.25 – Dies Academicus – no lecture
21.05.25 – Principles of Neural Cell Replacement (Oliver Brüstle)
28.05.25 – Cell Fate Specification for Retinal Repair (Volker Busskamp)
04.06.25 – In vitro Models of Neural Development and Neurodegeneration (Michael Peitz)
11.06.25 – Pfingstferien – no lecture
18.06.25 – Neurodevelopment, Stem Cells and Psychiatric Disease (Tamara Krutenko)
25.06.25 – Self-Organisation und 3D Cultures (Clara Hayn)
02.07.25 – Circuit Formation and Repair (Sandra Blaess)
Exam medical students
Graded oral presentation of a recent high-impact publication
09.07.25 – 14-18:30 h (to be confirmed)
Make-up exam medical students (only if necessary)
16.07.25 – 9-13:30 h (to be confirmed)
Exam Master Neuroscience
Oral presentation of results at the end of the practical course
Exam for all other Master students
Recognition as a guest student is always possible, graded oral examination upon request (only limited student number, on first come, first served basis)
09.07.25 – 14-18:30 h (to be confirmed)
Make-up exam (only if necessary):
16.07.25 – 9-13:30 h (to be confirmed)