The Collaborative Research Centre 1557 ‘Functional plasticity encoded by cellular membrane networks’ includes an Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) for doctoral students. In November, the members of the IRTG met again for their annual meeting, which lasted several days, this time at the Hamburg Youth Hostel. Around 60 doctoral students, postdocs and research group leaders took the opportunity to present and discuss their ongoing projects. The projects were presented in short lectures, which were then discussed in depth, both immediately afterwards and in an informal setting during breaks and meals. Thanks to the catering and accommodation provided by the youth hostel, the participants were able to devote themselves fully to scientific exchange.
Retreats essential for networking
‘Our 2- to 4-day IRTG conferences, known as retreats, are essential for networking among doctoral students within the Collaborative Research Centre,’ explains IRTG spokesperson Prof. Dr. Achim Paululat. ‘Retreats offer the opportunity to evaluate the progress of ongoing projects, give tips or identify problems at an early stage. This enables more goal-oriented and effective planning of all further experiments. Retreats are therefore always an important element in supporting doctoral students on their way to an industrial, scientific or other career.’
Renowned external researchers as guests
As in the past, presentations by renowned external researchers enriched this year's retreat. These keynote lectures provide new impetus and ideas. In addition, IRTG doctoral students had the opportunity to discuss their research and career opportunities with the guests. Among the invited top researchers from the region were Sabrina Jabs (Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology, UKSH Kiel), Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro (University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf), Lorenz Adlung (University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf), Christian Löw (CSSB Hamburg) and Sebastian Springer (Constructor University gGmbH, Bremen).
