09.10.2024

To launch the second funding phase of the Priority Programme SPP 2330, members and associates gathered for an inspiring three-day meeting in Rösrath, where they presented and discussed their research on virus-host interactions in prokaryotes. Established in 2021, the SPP 2330 recently secured additional funding of approximately 5.8 million euros from the German Research Foundation (DFG) to support three more years of pioneering research. The programme, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Julia Frunzke from the Forschungszentrum Jülich brings together 20 projects led by 26 PIs along with a central service project located at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ and 14 associated projects. This collaborative effort aims to understand virus-host dynamics in prokaryotes, both at the single-cell level and within microbial communities, using state-of-the-art methodologies.

The meeting featured an impressive line-up of invited speakers, including Karen Maxwell (University of Toronto), Mathias Middelboe (University of Copenhagen), and Alexander Harms (ETH Zurich), who each contributed to the interactive atmosphere and exceptional scientific quality.

The Career and Industry Session, a highlight of the meeting, was again a resounding success. Tessa Quax (University of Groningen) and Samuel Kilcher (Micreos) shared insights into their personal career paths and current research, providing valuable perspectives.

As part of the event, poster prizes for best presentations were awarded to Janes Krusche (University of Tübingen) and Stephanie Himpich (FU Berlin), recognizing their contributions with their exceptional poster presentations.

© Sebastian Erdrich