Sandra Blaess

Professor Sandra Blaess leads the Neurodevelopmental Genetics research group at the Institute for Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn. As a faculty member of the Faculty of Medicine, she directs research focused on the development of the midbrain dopaminergic system and its implications for neurological disorders. Her work bridges developmental neurobiology with clinical applications, particularly in understanding Parkinson's disease and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Dr. Blaess's research investigates how neuronal diversity emerges in the dopaminergic system, using developmental genetic approaches, genetic tracing methods, electrophysiology, and optogenetic techniques. Her team explores how developmental processes determine the connectivity and function of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neuronal subtypes in the adult brain. A major focus is understanding why specific mDA neuron subsets are particularly vulnerable in Parkinson's disease and how alterations in the dopaminergic system contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on dopaminergic neuron development, neural circuit formation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal diversity. Her work spans from basic developmental mechanisms to disease modeling, with increasing focus on advanced imaging techniques and precise circuit analysis. The research demonstrates consistent progression from fundamental developmental questions toward translational applications in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Blaess actively mentors doctoral students, MD students, and postdoctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of neuroscientists. Her group participates in teaching modules for the Master of Neuroscience program and Bachelor of Science program in Molecular Biomedicine at the University of Bonn.

The Neurodevelopmental Genetics group operates within the Institute for Reconstructive Neurobiology at the LIFE & BRAIN Center, utilizing advanced techniques including mouse models, histology, molecular biology, cell culture, and electrophysiology. Current research directions include investigating migratory behavior of dopaminergic subpopulations, molecular mechanisms regulating their development, and how modulatory inputs influence prefrontal cortex maturation.