Events

The Hertha Sponer College Lecture Series is addressed to interested students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and PIs. The overall idea is to fundamentally explain research by providing an overview about the general aims of the six MBExC Research Alliances with special focus on the specific techniques that are developed and applied. The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5 pm within the semester term, and are offered by MBExC PIs. Subsequent to lecture and discussion, Hertha Sponer College members have the opportunity to „Meet-the-PI“ and each other for asking more specific or general questions, networking and socializing.

Poster of the talk:

Pint of Science Festival Göttingen

19-21 May 2025, 18:30

Göttingen Bars

Pint of Science describes the international (non-profit) organisation of festivals that bring some of the most brilliant scientists to your local pub to discuss their latest research and findings with you. You don’t need any prior knowledge, and this is your chance to meet the people responsible for the future of science (and have a pint with them). Our festival runs over a few days in May every year, but we occasionally run events during other months.

Speakers: Barbara Vona, Baptiste Sadoughi, Lejla Šoše, Aliya Nova Rutsch, Greta Jasser, Viola Priesemann, Constantin Pape, Samira Mummelthey, Andreas Fuchs, Marcel Raabe, Richard Vogg, Renate Schweizer, Ralf Heinrich, Leon-Fabian Caspari, Daniel Obenchain, Malte Fischer, James Brooks, Axel Gualdoni-Becerra

Organization and funding by HSC/MBExC.

Please visit the website: https://pintofscience.de/events/goettingen for further information.

The 5^th European Calcium Channel Conference will be held in Alpbach, Austria, May 26-30, 2025! Registration will open in December 2024:
https://calciumchannel.eu/registration-and-housing-2025/

As the program develops all information will be made available at the meeting website https://calciumchannel.eu/ where you can also find information about the previous ECCCs, for example pictures of the ECCC 2022 (https://calciumchannel.eu/eccc-2022-gallery/).

The ECCC also aims to provide a platform for early career researchers, to discuss their research with the leaders in the field in a relaxed atmosphere. To this end we will dedicate presentation slots for ECRs and organize flash talk sessions. Also, a workshop, organized by the PhD program CavX (https://cavx.at/), will be offered to PhD students and early postdocs.

Quality budget accommodation will be available for ECRs.

Organizers: Gerald Obermair, Karl Landsteiner University, Krems; Thomas Gudermann, LMU Munich; Petronel Tuluc, University of Innsbruck; Marc Freichel, University of Heidelberg; Martin Biel, LMU Munich; Nadine Ortner, University of Innsbruck; Tobias Moser, University of Göttingen; Marta Campiglio, Medical University of Innsbruck; Jörg Striessnig, University of Innsbruck; Veit Flockerzi, Saarland University; Bernhard Flucher, Medical University of Innsbruck

Hertha Sponer College Workshop

„Animal Research Communication“

Wednesday, 28 May, 4-6 p.m.
with Jana Wilken from Tierversuche verstehen (https://www.tierversuche-verstehen.de/)
Location: European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen
Organizer: Elisabeth Koert / HSC
 
Details: This workshop aims to provide us with tools and strategies to effectively address questions and concerns about working with animals in our research and will include practical elements such as role-playing.

Registered is required. Please send an email to heike.conrad at med.uni-goettingen.de.

Wei Hao, MD from the Mental Health Institute of Central South University, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, China will held a talk about „Addiction Medicine in China: Challenges, Achievements, and Strategic Outlook“ during the MBExC Lecture on 28 May, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the lecture hall, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3.

Abstract

This presentation provides a comprehensive review and outlook on addiction research in China over the past decade. It highlights advancements in understanding addiction behaviors through clinical research. Significant achievements such as the creation of China’s first addiction-related clinical cohort, the introduction of innovative treatments (e.g., naltrexone implants, deep brain stimulation, digital therapies), and advancements in diagnostic standards for gaming disorder (ICD-11) are emphasized.
The talk outlines major challenges, including the shrinking number of voluntary treatment institutions due to the decline in the number of drug users, difficulties in social reintegration, and fragmented addiction treatment system.
The presentation concludes with recommendations for policy reforms and increased interdisciplinary cooperation.

Hosts: Prof. Dr. Valentin Nägerl, UMG & Prof. Dr. Erwin Neher, MPI-NAT

Poster of the talk:

Yingjie Zhu, Ph.D. from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences will held a talk about „Neural circuit and social mechanism of drug addiction“ during the MBExC Lecture on 28 May, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the lecture hall, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3.

Abstract

Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite adverse consequences. Addictive substances produce euphoria by acting on the brain’s reward system, inducing persistent changes in neural circuits that drive the progression of addiction. The vulnerability to addiction is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. In this talk, I will present our latest findings on the cellular and circuit architecture of the lateral septum in reward processing and how maladaptive changes in this circuit contribute to methamphetamine sensitization. I will also discuss how social factors impact addiction susceptibility by remodeling the mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways, and explore potential therapeutic strategies that could be developed based on these insights.

Hosts: Prof. Dr. Valentin Nägerl, UMG & Prof. Dr. Erwin Neher, MPI-NAT

Poster of the talk:

Hertha Sponer College Course

„Deep Learning for Image Analysis“

The registration to the „Deep Learning for Image Analysis“ course will open on Monday 14.04.
Feel free to go on the course website and register.
 
Deep Learning for Image Analysis
2–6 Jun 2025, 9 a.m – 5 p.m.
European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen
 
In this course you will learn how to use deep learning to solve image analysis tasks for microscopy data. We will cover the background of this technique in short lectures and then work on practical problems during the course. The practical problems will be based on https://github.com/computational-cell-analytics/dl-for-micro (will be further updated before the course). The focus of the problems will be on segmentation (for example cell segmentation in fluorescence microscopy or organelle segmentation in electron microscopy) an classification tasks (for example cell type classification), but will also give an overview of methods for other tasks, such as object detection or cell tracking.
 
We will work on short projects where you can analyze your own data (or sample data that is similar to your data) in the last two days of the course.

 
This course is organized by the Hertha Sponer College of the Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC), the group of Computational Cell Analytics, University of Göttingen (Constantin Pape) and the Facility for Light Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen.

Host: Jörg Enderlein (U GOE), MBExC
Local organizer: Alexander Egner (IFNANO)

Speaker: Maciej Wojtkowski, International Center for Translational Eye Research (ICTER) and Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland

Spatio-temporal optical imaging – new method for in vivo imaging

Abstract:
In vivo optical microscopy with quality comparable to fixed samples remains challenging. We developed Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence (STOC) Imaging, which dynamically adjusts spatial phase relationships in illuminating light to improve imaging quality. Applied to 3-D imaging as Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T), this method uses hundreds of uncorrelated spectral interferograms to amplify ballistic photon signals while attenuating scattered photons. STOC-T provides fast, high-contrast imaging, maintaining high resolution at significant depths without repeated measurements. When applied to eye imaging, STOC-T supports functional imaging techniques like Optoretinography (ORG), which measures photoreceptor responses to light stimuli. We introduced Flicker Optoretinography (f-ORG) for measuring rapid optical path length changes under photopic conditions, achieving reproducible, single-nanometer sensitivity in light-adapted eyes. This approach enhances understanding of retinal responses and photopigment photoactivation processes.

Please find here the PDF of the announcement:

The 9th Women’s Careers and Networking Symposium (WoCaNet 2025) will take place on 4th and 5th June 2025, at the MPI for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Faßberg-Campus (Germany).

Meet a diverse community of students, researchers, and professionals from academia and industry for an inspiring and empowering experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with an outstanding lineup of speakers, explore career opportunities at the insightful career fair, and participate in interactive workshops designed to foster professional growth.
The networking dinner on the evening of the 4th of June will provide a unique chance to connect with experts and peers in a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere. Expect thought-provoking discussions, meaningful connections, and valuable insights to help shape your career and personal aspirations.

Don’t miss this incredible event—stay tuned for more details and be part of the WoCaNet 2025 experience!

The symposium is organized by current students in the University. Click here to see the team behind WoCaNet 2025.

For further information, please visit the website: www.wocanet.uni-goettingen.de.

Registration will be open very soon.

The Hertha Sponer College Lecture Series is addressed to interested students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and PIs. The overall idea is to fundamentally explain research by providing an overview about the general aims of the six MBExC Research Alliances with special focus on the specific techniques that are developed and applied. The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5 pm within the semester term, and are offered by MBExC PIs. Subsequent to lecture and discussion, Hertha Sponer College members have the opportunity to „Meet-the-PI“ and each other for asking more specific or general questions, networking and socializing.

Poster of the talk:

Dear scientists, students, and colleagues,

it is our great pleasure to cordially invite you and interested colleagues to the upcoming Symposium “Neuronal Cell Biology – Göttingen and Beyond”.

From the early identification of key synaptic vesicle proteins, discovery of key neurotransmitter transporters, solving the structures of SNARE complexes, to dissecting the peculiarities of presynaptic membranes, the Jahn lab catalysed and shaped the knowledge of neuroscience and cell biology for decades. This event is a tribute to the legacy of Prof. Dr. Reinhard Jahn, bringing together trainees, colleagues and friends to celebrate his profound impact on science and education.

We have a very strong group of speakers, covering different areas of the neurosciences, molecular and cell biology, as you can see in the flyer.

Date: Monday, 16th June 2025 till Wednesday, 18th June 2025

Location: MPI am Faßberg, Am Faßberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Manfred-Eigen-Hörsaal

Organizers: Silvio Rizzoli, Nils Brose, Dragomir Milovanovic

Hosted by: CRC1286

Please register using the following link: Registration Symposium 2025
The participation is limited – early registration is very much recommended.

All other information including the program will be shown on the CRC1286 website here: www.sfb1286.de/events/symposium-neuronal-cell-biology/.

Prof. Dr. Walter Nickel from the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center will held a talk about „Molecular mechanism and machinery driving unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 from tumor cells“ during the MBExC Lecture on 7 July, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the library of the Humboldtallee 23, room 1.122.

Abstract:
The vast majority of secretory proteins contain N-terminal signal peptides for ER/Golgi-dependent transport into the extracellular space. Exceptions from this general mode of protein secretion from mammalian cells have been discovered more than 30 years ago, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these alternative secretory pathways have remained elusive until recently. Proteins following such secretory routes have fundamental physiological functions in both health and disease, with Interleukin 1β and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 being prime examples. The discoveries revealing the molecular mechanisms driving unconventional protein secretion did not only solve long-standing problems in molecular cell biology but also paved the way for new strategies for the treatment of for example inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Host: Prof. Dr. Peter Rehling, University Medical Center Göttingen

Poster of the talk:

The Hertha Sponer College Lecture Series is addressed to interested students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and PIs. The overall idea is to fundamentally explain research by providing an overview about the general aims of the six MBExC Research Alliances with special focus on the specific techniques that are developed and applied. The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5 pm within the semester term, and are offered by MBExC PIs. Subsequent to lecture and discussion, Hertha Sponer College members have the opportunity to „Meet-the-PI“ and each other for asking more specific or general questions, networking and socializing.

The Hertha Sponer College Lecture Series is addressed to interested students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and PIs. The overall idea is to fundamentally explain research by providing an overview about the general aims of the six MBExC Research Alliances with special focus on the specific techniques that are developed and applied. The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5 pm within the semester term, and are offered by MBExC PIs. Subsequent to lecture and discussion, Hertha Sponer College members have the opportunity to „Meet-the-PI“ and each other for asking more specific or general questions, networking and socializing.

Internal Event of the Hertha Sponer College

Hertha Sponer College Retreat 2025

DATE: 22 September 2025

Start is planned for the early afternoon. A joint journey will be organized. Information about the location will follow soon.

The MBExC will meet for it’s yearly Retreat from September 23 until 25, 2025.

A joint journey will be organized. The location will be announced in due time.
 
We are very much looking forward to meet you at the retreat.

DATE: 27 – 30 September 2025

Location: Hotel Freizeit In, Göttingen

Welcome to Göttingen: A Hub of Super-Resolution and Neuroscience

Göttingen, a picturesque university town in Lower Saxony, Germany, is renowned for its rich scientific heritage and cutting-edge research in super-resolution microscopy and neuroscience.

Home to the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen and Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, the city has been at the forefront of numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including numerous Nobel Prize-winning inventions, for example for electrophysiology or super-resolution microscopy.

The GEF25 conference will be held at the Hotel Freizeit In, a 4-star hotel just a short drive from the city center. The hotel boasts modern rooms, a state-of-the-art Vital Spa health center with an indoor pool, and a variety of dining options. With its excellent facilities and convenient location, including a bus station right at the entrance, the Hotel Freizeit Inn is the perfect venue for our scientific gathering.

Confirmed speakers: Stefan Hell, Edward Boyden, Markus Sauer, Stella Hurtley, Virginie Hamel, Joshua Vaughan, Radu Aricescu, Jae-Byum Chang, Paul Guichard, Helge Ewers, Sabrina Absalon, Ilaria Testa, Matthew Paszek, Julien Vermot, Bi-Chang Chen, Antonio Giraldez, Luis Alvarez, Chi Zhang, Sven Truckenbrodt, Eva Christensen Arnspang, John Danial, Katrin Heinze, Yongxin Zhao, Lu-Yang Wang, Ute Becherer, Barbara Cheifet, Steffen Frey, Magali Grison, Moe Mahjoub, Lukas Kapitein, Johan Hofkens, Hans Blom, Tiago Outeiro, Wei Min, Gabriela Segal Wasserman, Christophe Leterrier, Shahar Alon, Birgit Foltas, Jörg Enderlein, Stefan Jakobs, Jan Huisken, Eugenio Fornasiero, Felipe Opazo, Silvio Rizzoli, Ali Shaib

Join us in Göttingen for an unforgettable experience where science meets history and innovation meets comfort.

For further information please visit the website: https://www.rizzoli-lab.de/gef25/

The Hertha Sponer College Lecture Series is addressed to interested students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and PIs. The overall idea is to fundamentally explain research by providing an overview about the general aims of the six MBExC Research Alliances with special focus on the specific techniques that are developed and applied. The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5 pm within the semester term, and are offered by MBExC PIs. Subsequent to lecture and discussion, Hertha Sponer College members have the opportunity to „Meet-the-PI“ and each other for asking more specific or general questions, networking and socializing.