Study sustains findings on glial cells
Regensburg's Universities and University Hospital are making strides in the field of gender-sensitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on understanding sex differences in glia cells and their impact on brain development, function, and disease progression.
One of the key figures driving this research is Professor Dr. Barbara Di Benedetto, who is leading three ongoing projects in this area. She has secured significant funding for these projects, setting new impulses in research and teaching at the Universities of Regensburg.
One project is examining the role of glia cells in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with a focus on sex differences. The research findings could potentially lead to the development of more targeted and effective treatments for these diseases.
Another project is investigating the impact of sex hormones on the development and function of glia cells in the brain. This research could provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in central nervous system diseases.
A third project is studying the effects of sex differences on the immune response of glia cells in the central nervous system. The results from these projects are expected to contribute significantly to the understanding of central nervous system diseases with a sex-specific component.
The ongoing research is further strengthening Regensburg's position as a key location for gender-sensitive neuroscience research. The research results are expected to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in central nervous system diseases, which could lead to the development of more targeted and effective treatments.
In addition to the research, the Universities of Regensburg are also committed to advancing gender-sensitive teaching in neuroscience. The projects are also expected to contribute to the advancement of gender-sensitive teaching in neuroscience at the Universities of Regensburg.
The GENIE Summer School, an intensive interdisciplinary program, is a flagship educational and research activity embodying these efforts. It provides training for undergraduate students in biology, medicine, psychology, and related disciplines on how sex differences affect glia-neuron interactions and brain health. The program emphasizes integrating sex-specific data into research design and clinical application, addressing the historic underrepresentation of females in neuroscience research, and exploring implications for drug efficacy, safety, and therapeutic outcomes.
In summary, the University of Regensburg and its affiliated University Hospital are advancing gender-sensitive neuroscience by focusing on sex-specific roles of glial cells in brain health and disease, addressing research imbalances, and enhancing translational potential for sex-tailored therapies. The GENIE Summer School is a flagship educational and research activity embodying these efforts.
[1] GENIE Summer School Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://genie-summerschool.org/ [2] University of Regensburg Press Release. (2025, June 1). Regensburg University Leads in Gender-Sensitive Neuroscience Research. Retrieved from https://www.uni-regensburg.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/06/regensburg-university-leads-in-gender-sensitive-neuroscience-research/
Science plays a crucial role in the medical-conditions related to health-and-wellness, especially in the field of neuroscience. Regensburg's Universities and University Hospital are making strides in gender-sensitive neuroscience, which includes examining sex differences in glia cells and their impact on brain development, function, and disease progression. This research could potentially lead to more targeted and effective treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
