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Abstract Recent advances in the genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have identified the transcription factor FOXP2 as one of numerous risk genes, e.g. in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). FOXP2 function is suggested to be involved in GABAergic signalling and numerous studies demonstrate that GABAergic function is altered in NDDs, thus disrupting the excitation/inhibition balance. Interestingly, GABAergic signalling components, including glutamate-decarboxylase 1 (Gad1) and GABA receptors, are putative transcriptional targets of FOXP2. However, the specific role of FOXP2 in the pathomechanism of NDDs remains elusive. Here we test the hypothesis that Foxp2 affects behavioural dimensions via GABAergic signalling using zebrafish as model organism. We demonstrate that foxp2 is expressed by a subset of GABAergic neurons located in brain regions involved in motor functions, including the subpallium, posterior tuberculum, thalamus and medulla oblongata. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing we generated a novel foxp2 zebrafish loss-of-function mutant that exhibits increased locomotor activity. Further, genetic and/or pharmacological disruption of Gad1 or GABA-A receptors causes increased locomotor activity, resembling the phenotype of foxp2 mutants. Application of muscimol, a GABA-A receptor agonist, rescues the hyperactive phenotype induced by the foxp2 loss-of-function. By reverse translation of the therapeutic effect on hyperactive behaviour exerted by methylphenidate, we note that application of methylphenidate evokes different responses in wildtype compared to foxp2 or gad1b loss-of-function animals. Together, our findings support the hypothesis that foxp2 regulates locomotor activity via GABAergic signalling. This provides one targetable mechanism, which may contribute to behavioural phenotypes commonly observed in NDDs.

Both A/B compartments and TADs are thought to be absent from the inactive X chromosome, but to be re-established with transcriptional reactivation and chromatin opening during X-reactivation. Here, the authors characterise gene reactivation, chromatin opening and chromosome topology during X-reactivation, observe A/B-like compartments on the inactive X that guide TAD formation independently of transcription during X-reactivation.

Members of the family of metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in the pathomechanism of several disorders of the nervous system. Besides the well-investigated function of dysfunctional glutamate receptor signaling in neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), like autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might also be partly caused by disturbed glutamate signaling during development. However, the underlying mechanism of the type III metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (mGluR8 or GRM8) involvement in neurodevelopment and disease mechanism is largely unknown. Here we show that the expression pattern of the two orthologs of human GRM8, grm8a and grm8b, have evolved partially distinct expression patterns in the brain of zebrafish (Danio rerio), especially at adult stages, suggesting sub-functionalization of these two genes during evolution. Using double in situ hybridization staining in the developing brain we demonstrate that grm8a is expressed in a subset of gad1a-positive cells, pointing towards glutamatergic modulation of GABAergic signaling. Building on this result we generated loss-of-function models of both genes using CRISPR/Cas9. Both mutant lines are viable and display no obvious gross morphological phenotypes making them suitable for further analysis. Initial behavioral characterization revealed distinct phenotypes in larvae. Whereas grm8a mutant animals display reduced swimming velocity, grm8b mutant animals show increased thigmotaxis behavior, suggesting an anxiety-like phenotype. We anticipate that our two novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 zebrafish models may contribute to a deeper understanding of its function in normal development and its role in the pathomechanism of disorders of the central nervous system.

Hochschulen sind immer mehr gefordert als eigenständige Anbieterinnen auf dem offenen Weiterbildungsmarkt zu agieren. Wenngleich in den letzten Jahren ein leichter Anstieg zu verzeichnen ist, machen Angebote wissenschaftlicher Weiterbildung jedoch noch immer einen nur geringen Marktanteil aus. Eine Vielzahl an Publikationen hat sich ursachenforschend mit dieser Divergenz zwischen politisch forciertem Anspruch und marktwirtschaftlicher Realität auseinandergesetzt. Aus Sicht der Autor*innen spielt insbesondere die Sicht von Adressat*innen auf wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Universität zu einem Zeitpunkt vor der ersten Kontaktaufnahme eine entscheidende Rolle. Dementsprechend untersucht der vorliegende Beitrag bei organisationalen Adressat*innen vorherrschende Bilder von Universität und fragt nach deren Relevanz für die wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung. In der explorativen Studie wurden insgesamt elf Expert*inneninterviews durchgeführt, anhand derer induktiv Bilder über Universität herausgearbeitet werden. Universität wird darin zugleich als renommierte, wie distanzierte Institution beschrieben. Die Aussagen der Befragten zeigen auch, dass die Universität nicht als Anbieterin wissenschaftlicher Weiterbildung wahrgenommen wird.

Abstract Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an extra-occupational graduate program. Hence it was of crucial importance, whether the alumni assessed the graduate program as effective. To investigate this research question a quantitative questionnaire was designed. Thus the graduate program was evaluated at the three levels reactions, learning and transfer. Overall 88 graduates were interviewed. Data analysis shows the efficacy of the program on all levels. Consequently (theoretical and practical) implications for the graduate program are determined and discussed.

In this article I reflect on the interdisciplinary cooperation between scientific studies of religions and (Catholic) theology as well as on the relationship between the two disciplines in general. On the part of theology, the methodology of comparative theology is called for as a necessary cross-sectional task (Klaus von Stosch) and presented as a bridge to interdisciplinary understanding. To this end, the problem area is illustrated and theology will be reflected before the backdrop of a theory of science. These considerations are guided by discourse-theoretical assumptions following Jürgen Habermas. The central ideas of this article are: By means of the method of comparative theology, theology complies with scientific standards. Furthermore, comparative theology advances to a meeting point where cooperation with religious studies becomes possible.

Three young researchers from Theology and Religious Studies chat about interdisciplinarity, reflecting on its particular opportunities and challenges, competitiveness and synergies. While at different stages of their academic carreers, all three consider the bigger picture: Who owns research on religion?