Welcome to the Mayer Lab
Systemic Cellular Neurobiology
The mammalian brain is a highly complex and spatially heterogeneous structure, which has changed significantly during the evolution of modern humans.
Recent progress in stem cell biology has allowed us to model human brain development in a dish using so-called brain organoids, 3-dimensional tissue cultures deriving from stem cells. Organoids provide us with unprecedented access to study human-specific features of brain development, which are normally hidden in utero.
We use organoid models to understand how brain diseases emerge at the cellular and molecular level. To do so, we either expose organoids to adverse environmental factors or genetically modify them so they represent genetically caused neurodevelopmental disorders. Our goal is to develop prevention and treatment strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders.
In addition to Zoology, we are affiliated with the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS).
Join us for the Boy's Day and for the Girl's Day on April 23!
You are a boy over 14 years old and wondering how our brain works? This is the question that we investigate in neurobiology!
Come join us at KIT on April 23rd, with closed shoes, long pants, and a lot of curiosity!
You are a girl interested in bioinformatics and wondering what the human brain is made of? Thanks to interactive games and coding activities, you will be able to have a first look of the brain study!
Come join us at KIT on April 23rd with a lot of questions!
See moreBecker E, Mayer S, Kutscher L. Generating cerebellar organoids from pluripotent stem cells. Disease Models & Mechanisms, 2026
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