Allgemein

Lab Shadowing: In early March, Michael Tranchina (A04) and Nina Reiter (B01, BRAINIACS) conducted collaborative experiments to examine the mechanical properties of aging organoids. Using a rheometer, they explored how necrosis and cellular diversity may impact organoid stability and stiffness.

On February 20th, the EBM group attended the Doctoral Researchers' Seminar organized by Jana Bachir Salvador (Project B03) and Ezgi Erterek (Project C02). The seminar took place in the newly established Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, providing an ideal setting for discussions on integrating physics, medicine, and neuroscience.

Exciting insights into research! During lab shadowing, B01 and B05 showcased how zebrafish larvae help study spinal cord regeneration. The goal: combining biological processes with computational models—an interdisciplinary approach advancing our understanding of tissue mechanics and regenerative medicine.

The 2nd EBM Update Meeting, held on January 31, 2025, at the Max-Planck-Zentrum in Erlangen, provided a dynamic platform for progress updates on research areas and cross-sectional projects. Researchers shared insights, discussed advancements, and fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring future success in EBM initiatives.

The EBM team extends heartfelt congratulations to Frauke Wilm, a former researcher in subproject X02, on the successful defense of her dissertation entitled “Cross-Domain Generalization of Deep Learning-Based Image Analysis Algorithms in Histopathology,” held on January 23, 2025.

The second year of EBM brought significant progress, strengthened collaboration, and remarkable achievements in brain mechanics research. Highlights include dynamic events, innovative outreach, and growing support for young scientists. This report reflects our journey and hints at an exciting path ahead.

On December 17, Kristina Karandasheva (C03) and Lars Bischof (C05) led the Doctoral Researcher’s Seminar, where they shared the latest findings from their collaborative research.

As part of the qualification program, EBM doctoral researchers attended the seminar “Maximizing Publication Potential: Essentials of Scientific Writing” in November 2024. Led by Deborah Bennet, the hands-on sessions provided strategies for crafting impactful scientific texts, from structuring ideas to refining clarity and style.

On November 13, an interdisciplinary workshop on neuroimaging was organized by Prof. Arnd Dörfler and PD Stefan Rampp. The program featured an introduction to clinical neuroimaging, advanced imaging techniques, and a hands-on session where participants analyzed epilepsy cases, progressing from simple to highly complex scenarios.

The 2nd EBM Retreat took place on October 10 and 11, 2024, at the Fraunhofer Research Campus in Waischenfeld, nestled in the beautiful Franconian Switzerland. This retreat offered an excellent opportunity for researchers to present their work, engage in networking, and collaboratively explore new ideas.