First joint Open Day of CIBSS and BIOSS

Glowing molecules and the memories of plants: At the joint open day of CIBSS and BIOSS, visitors could find out more about the research that happens in the laboratory buildings in Freiburg Herdern. Consisting of a mix of research fair, short talks and hands-on experiments, the programme had something to offer all ages and attracted many interested people to the Signalhaus and Hilde-Mangold-Haus on a sunny day.

Right in the entrance area of the Hilde-Mangold-Haus there were exciting things to discover about the nutrient uptake of plants. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

Especially in the late afternoon, the open day buzzed with conversations and activities. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

Talks were held in the open courtyard of the Signalhaus, like here from the iGEM team Freiburg. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

Isolating your own DNA, watching fish larvae grow under a microscope or looking at glowing cancer cells – these were just some of the various activities on offer at the open day. At different stations with plants, microscopes or 3D glasses, visitors could easily enter into conversation with the PhD students, postdocs and professors who had prepared the various offers and were eager to talk about their respective research topics.

“The level of interest was really great - we had great discussions with visitors and they were clearly enjoying themselves,” concluded CIBSS group leader Dr Elke Barbez. In the end, all 30 pots with instructions for a home experiment were gone. She and the other stand supervisors had prepared these in addition to what was on offer on-site. “This really motivates us to get involved in such events more often,” says Barbez at the end of the day.

In addition to the individual stations, short lectures that were spread throughout the afternoon gave deeper yet entertaining insights into various research topics. These ranged from the locomotion of archaea to the memory of plants and signals in cancer development. This year's iGEM team also got to present their project: The student team, supported by CIBSS and BIOSS, will compete in the iGEM International Synthetic Biology Competition in November.

Clover roots under the microscope: Tiny nodules contain symbiotic bacteria. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

The programme was divided between the Signalhaus and the Hilde-Mangold-Haus, named after Freiburg developmental biologist Hilde Mangold. On the footpath between the buildings chalk arrows and illustrations helped visitors find the way. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

Early career scientist Rebecca Peters explains the early development of zebrafish with the aid of living larvae under a microscope. Photo: Michal Rössler / CIBSS

"Signalling science" – a research focus in Freiburg

For 40 years, biological signalling research has been one of the research priorities at the University of Freiburg. Signalling science deals with how cells communicate with each other and adapt to environmental influences – complex questions that can only be answered if scientists with different areas of expertise work together. That is why BIOSS and CIBSS include a total of more than 100 research groups from different disciplines. Together, they work towards a better understanding of biological signals.

Many of the laboratories involved in signalling research are located near the University of Freiburg’s botanical garden in the city’s district Herdern and characterize part of the neighbourhood. The open day was therefore also supported by the Herdern Citizens' Association. “We always see the buildings only from the outside. We are delighted to have this opportunity to learn more about the research and the scientists,” says the association's chairman Christian Ledinger, who opened the event together with BIOSS spokesperson Prof Maja Köhn and CIBSS spokespersons Prof Carola Hunte and Prof Wolfgang Driever.

At the end of the open day, they were pleased with the public interest. “I saw many satisfied faces and one older couple was really beaming with excitement,” Dr. Köhn said happily. Hunte is particularly impressed by the contributions of the early career researchers: “It's great how well the PhD candidates in particular presented their complex projects so clearly,” she says.