CRC 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling

Welcome to the website of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1324 from Heidelberg University.

Who we are

The Collaborative Research Center 1324 is a DFG-funded interdisciplinary research consortium of about 60 scientists in 14 projects and three technology platforms. Our research focuses on the mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling.

Within the framework of the interview series “Überlebensstragien” hosted by Heidelberg University and Rhein-Neckar-Fernsehen,

our CRC 1324 was represented by Michael Boutros and Josephine Bageritz:

https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/de/transfer/kommunikation/ueberlebensstrategien

Available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g52ttyWxoDk

Events

There are no upcoming events.

Publications

Research Article

Improved in vivo gene knockout with high specificity using multiplexed Cas12a sgRNAs

Port F, Buhmann MA, Zhou J, Stricker M, Vaughan-Brown A, Michalsen AC, Roßmanith E, Pöltl A, Großkurth L, Huber J, Menendez Kury LB, Weberbauer B, Hübl M, Puscher E, Heigwer F, Boutros M. Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 15;17(1):877. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-68434-z.

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Research Article

Molecular dynamics of the matrisome across sea anemone life history

Cnidaria developmental biology evolutionary biology extracellular matrix matrisome nematostella vectensis sea anemone.

Bergheim BG, Cole AG, Rettel M, Stein F, Redl S, Hess MW, Ikmi A, Özbek S. Elife. 2025 Oct 23;14:RP105319. doi: 10.7554/eLife.105319.

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Join the CRC 1324

Open PhD position

Prof. Michael Boutros (Project Z03):
– Development and application of advanced CRISPR genome engineering methods
– Technology development
– Transferability of methods across experimental systems
– Further information: HBIGS

Clinician Scientist (Gerok) position

Our DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center is looking for a highly motivated clinician scientist with a keen interest in Wnt signaling.
We will provide the opportunity to work on a Wnt-related research project in one of the CRC 1324 projects in collaboration with a clinical department.

Deadline: January, 20th 2026

News

29. January 2026

ERC Proof of concept grant

Prof. Hellmut Augustin received Proof of concept grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for SpheroMouse. The project aims to validate a versatile platform of novel standardized and biobankable preclinical mouse tumor models. Press Release ERC Press Release: https://www.dkfz.de/en/news/press-releases/detail/double-erc-success-for-dkfz-researchers-1

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