Dogs wherever I go

Whether at Vienna Veterinary Medicine University or at the Dresden University of Technology, Georg Csukovich’s research focuses on man’s best friend—the dog. Using modern stem cell models, this cell biologist and Schrödinger Fellow is investigating how genetic differences shape the development of dog spines and, ultimately, the diversity of dog breeds.
Biology and Medicine
by Georg Csukovich
July 13, 2026
A young researcher smiling in a white lab coat in the lab
In his Schrödinger Project at TU Dresden, cell biologist Ceorg Csukovich is studying the evolution and genetic diversity of dogs. © Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni

Dogs have been a recurring theme throughout my career: from my bachelor’s thesis on cancer cells to my PhD at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. There, I worked with intestinal organoids derived from adult dog stem cells. As I wanted to conduct research using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) – which resemble embryonic stem cells – I ended up in Miki Ebisuya’s research group at TU Dresden and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics.

How different species develop

The Ebisuya Lab investigates mechanisms of embryonic development in pluripotent stem cells of various species. I am particularly intrigued by the comparison of the “segmentation clock,” a network of oscillating genes that controls the formation of somite pairs (precursors of vertebrae). Each species exhibits its own specific oscillation period, ranging from fast-oscillating mice to slow-oscillating primates. In mice, for instance, the protein is periodically synthesized and degraded within two to three hours, whereas this process takes five to six hours in humans. In addition, the lab is currently investigating the species-specific development of the heart and brain.

Further reading

A picture of the capital city of Dresden with a huge Baroque church in the center
Dresden, the city on the Elbe—also known as the “Florence of the Elbe”—captivates visitors with its Baroque architecture, such as the Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche, as well as its cultural offerings. © Georg Csukovich

For me, this was an opportunity to combine my experience with dog cells with issues in developmental biology. I quickly arrived at the idea to model the enormous phenotypic differences among various dog breeds – such as tail length (a consequence of the number of tail vertebrae) – in a cell culture model. Genetic mutations influence natural tail length – bulldogs being a case in point.

Here in Dresden, the city known as “Florence on the River Elbe,” I am now conducting my Schrödinger project, which explores whether certain mutations alter the period of the dog’s segmentation clock and could thus influence the architecture of the spine – and, consequently, tail length. Basic research offers one the privilege of being the first to observe a phenomenon – including the oscillation of the segmentation clock in dogs.

 

All around Dresden, vineyards—such as this one in Radebeul (left)—and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Saxon Switzerland invite visitors to relax in nature.
All around Dresden, vineyards—such as this one in Radebeul (left)—and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Saxon Switzerland invite visitors to relax in nature. © Georg Csukovich

Physics for a better understanding of biology

As of 2023, the Ebisuya Lab has been part of the Cluster of Excellence “Physics of Life” at TU Dresden. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), this Cluster of Excellence focuses on understanding the function and robustness of biological systems against the backdrop of physical principles. This cross-cutting issue fosters a unique collaboration among researchers from the fields of biology, physics, and mathematics. Joint projects and seminars give rise to lively exchanges between the disciplines and open a window into a different world – one that can be inspiring and consistently generates new ideas.

Whereas the work environment is extremely international, everyday life in Germany feels familiar – letting me enjoy the best of both worlds, if you like. Academic research offers a unique blend of an interdisciplinary environment and the freedom to pursue my own ideas, such as those I focus on in my Schrödinger project.