SFB 1607 PIs Meet in Cologne to Shape the Next Phase of Collaborative Research

During one of the hottest weeks of the year, the principal investigators of SFB 1607 gathered at InnoDom in Cologne for a productive PI Meeting focused on the consortium’s future beyond its first funding period.

Following a welcome by SFB speaker Prof. Claus Cursiefen, participants discussed current developments, upcoming milestones and strategic priorities for the SFB. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing the consortium for the next funding phase.

A keynote presentation by Dr. Larissa Mühlenbeck, Director of the Ethics Committee Office, provided valuable guidance on ethical considerations in scientific research and the preparation of ethics proposals. The meeting also included updates on the Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) by Prof. Felix Bock and Dr. Maria Notara, highlighting ongoing activities and future initiatives to support early-career researchers within the consortium.

A central part of the program was dedicated to the presentation of all six Crosslinking Projects. These interdisciplinary initiatives showcased innovative collaborations across existing project structures and demonstrated how complementary expertise within SFB 1607 is being combined to address new scientific questions. In addition, the two newly funded Start-Up Projects by Dr. Sonja Fassbender and Dr. Dörte Schulte-Ostermann introduced their research concepts, further expanding the consortium’s scientific portfolio.

Despite the summer heat, the gathering provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen collaborations and jointly shape the future direction of the collaborative research center.