SFB1551 Annual Retreat 2025 – A Celebration of Science and Collaboration

From 4 to 6 of November, the SFB1551 community came together for its Annual Retreat, a three-day event filled with inspiring discussions, new ideas, and valuable scientific exchange. More than 100 participants from our 16 Research Projects and 4 Service Projects gathered to share their latest results, strengthen collaborations, and shape the future directions of the network.

This year’s retreat was especially significant, marking the end of the third year of our first funding period—an exciting milestone that highlights the remarkable progress and integration achieved across disciplines, from physics to the life sciences.

A highlight of the retreat was the presence of our Scientific Advisory Board members—Andreas Herrmann, Dora Tang, and Simon Alberti—who provided insightful feedback on ongoing projects and shared thoughtful perspectives on future research directions. Their expertise and engagement are deeply appreciated by the entire consortium.

We were also delighted to welcome six new associate members to the SFB1551 community:
Tobias Bopp, Laura Lorenzo-Orts, Maria Lucakova, Volker Mailänder, Natalia Soshnikova, and Sam Wilken. Their expertise and enthusiasm will further strengthen the network’s interdisciplinary approach.

The retreat also featured dedicated sessions on research data management, led by Andrej Berg, and on sustainable laboratory practices, with valuable input from Katharina Landfester Group leader at the MPIP and Nora Knabe from the Dormann lab at JGU. These discussions underscored our collective commitment to responsible and forward-looking research practices.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this retreat a success. Your energy, collaboration, and passion for science continue to drive the network forward.

Here’s to another year of discovery, innovation, and teamwork! 🚀