Jan M. Deussing

Dr. Jan M. Deussing is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany, where he heads the Molecular Neurogenetics research group. He is a regular member of MCN and GSN with full faculty status, focusing on the intersection of genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatry. His work at the Core Unit Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs) positions him at the forefront of translational research on stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Deussing's research program investigates how genetic risk factors interact with environmental stressors to influence the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. His laboratory employs sophisticated mouse models to dissect the epigenetic mechanisms and neural circuits underlying disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Recent work has focused on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) systems, FKBP51 protein function, P2X7 receptors, and genetic variants associated with bipolar disorder. A September 2024 press release highlighted his team's successful decoding of a risk gene for bipolar disorder, accompanied by an explanatory comic illustrating their findings.

Analysis of Dr. Deussing's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms of stress response, with particular focus on CRH signaling pathways, FKBP51 co-chaperone function, and genetic determinants of bipolar disorder. His work spans from basic molecular neuroscience to translational applications, with increasing attention to sex-specific effects in stress susceptibility and resilience. The research employs cutting-edge techniques including genetically engineered mouse models, multi-omics approaches, and deep behavioral phenotyping.

Dr. Deussing mentors several graduate students including Simon Chang, Lidia Urbina Treviño, and Clemens Ries, with former students like Laura Sotillos Elliott having completed their training under his supervision. His laboratory collaborates extensively with other research groups at the Max Planck Institute and internationally, particularly on projects involving neural circuit mapping and molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders.

The Deussing Lab operates within the Molecular Neurogenetics department of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, utilizing the Core Unit Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs) to investigate stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. The team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, behavioral neuroscience, and genetic engineering to unravel the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental stressors in mental health conditions.