The GBM Compact and SPP2191 International Symposium, held as a satellite meeting, took place between th 16th and the 19th September.

The symposium focused on the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of phase separation in biology. While membrane-less organelles such as nucleoli, stress granules, and Cajal bodies had long been recognized, the meeting highlighted recent advances showing that such compartments can also form through phase separation of proteins, RNA, DNA, and their combinations. Participants discussed how novel tools, theoretical models, and cross-disciplinary approaches combining cell biology, biophysics, and biochemistry could advance this field.

The program brought together scientists from diverse backgrounds to explore how phase separation underlies both normal cellular functions and pathologies. The meeting of the priority program 2191 on the Molecular Mechanism of Functional Phase Separation preceded the GBM Compact, extending the symposium with additional talks, poster sessions, and a keynote lecture by Rohit Pappu.

Importantly, the symposium also underscored the continuity between SPP2191 and SFB1551: with phase separation being a shared research focus, the event created a natural bridge for ideas, methods, and collaborations to carry forward. As a result, many members of the SFB1551 also attended this important gathering, further strengthening community ties and enabling a smooth transition of shared themes into the SFB1551 framework.

Organized by Simon Alberti, Sara Cuylen-Haering, Dorothee Dormann, Edward Lemke, Julia Mahamid, Claus Seidel, and Konstanze Winklhofer, the symposium provided a platform for reflection on the groundbreaking achievements of SPP2191 and fostered opportunities for future collaboration across this vibrant research community.