Information on Workshops

Classical two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models allow only limited conclusions because of disturbed microenvironment, cellular polarity, mode of cell division or interaction with extracellular environment. Three-dimensional (3D) and organoid cultures derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) seem to be a superior model due to a series of advantages: (i) organoids are highly expandable, (ii) can form virtually every tissue and provide a 3D structure closely mimicking complex organs, (iii) can recapitulate transformation, and (iv) undergo successful transplantation.

Our workshop will focus on our approach to direct hPSCs towards pancreatic organoids in vitro. You will see behind the curtain, when we generate ductal organoids from our stem cell models, culture and process them for various downstream analyses such as imaging and get some insight on QuPath image analysis. On top, you will gain insights into advanced technologies like bioprinting. If you are interested to get some hands-on experience when handling organoids and exhibit basic knowledge in cell culture techniques and laboratory practice, apply for this workshop now!

Our workshop deals with innate host protection mechanisms and, besides theoretical aspects, offers a practical course in our laboratory. You will need basic knowledge in molecular biology for this workshop.

After a brief theoretical introduction to the organoid field, participants will learn the most important steps for establishing organoids from tumor material as well as splitting and freezing of these 3D cell cultures. In addition, the participants will work with the Mantis pipetting robot, which is used, among other things, for seeding of cells to perform drug testings.

Many bacterial toxins develop their toxic effect within target cells. For this reason, the toxins have adapted to such an extent that they can penetrate their target cells extremely efficiently. Bacterial toxins usually consist of at least two components, an enzymatically active component and a transport component, which serves to introduce the enzymatically active component into target cells. This ability of the transport component can be utilized therapeutically to replace proteins that are missing or no longer functional in certain cells or to introduce proteins with advantageous properties into diseased cells. This workshop aims to develop ideas and concepts for the therapeutic use of bacterial toxins as protein transporters. For this purpose, individual groups of students are to work on a concept and then present it in a 10-minute presentation, which is to be discussed by the other participants.

Microorganisms play a crucial role in human health and disease, influencing various physiological processes within the body. In our workshop, we delve into the reciprocal relationship between microorganisms and human health. Over the course of 4-5 hours, we will cover a wide array of topics, starting with an introduction to the human microbiome and its impact on health and disease. We'll then explore the concept of age-related microbial dysbiosis and the factors contributing to its development, including intrinsic aging processes and extrinsic environmental influences. Participants will gain insights into tools available for analyzing microbial composition and function, including their pros and cons. Furthermore, we'll delve into the influence of the aging immune system on gut microbiome composition, with practical demonstrations to illustrate key concepts. Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and hands-on exercises, participants will be equipped with a deeper understanding of research on immune-induced changes on the microbiomes and knowledge on the tools available to tackle open research questions in the field. Basic knowledge of the immune system are not mandatory but helpful.

One of the great pleasures of gathering experimental data via microscopy is that you immidiately see your results. While many methods only give you bleak numbers, microscopic analysis ends up in qualitaIve images, what is quite moIvaIng. Unfortunately, converIng your qualitaIve images in quanItaIve blots is a Ime- consuming effort that always depends on the researcher analysing the images, especially if you have a image set with 100+ pictures.

In this workshop we put a focus on Cell profiler. A powerfull tool that solves both problems: it saves Ime and ensures that all images are analysed using the same parameters.

We will write a Cell profiler pipeline together to evaluate morphological properIes of pro and anI-inflammatory macrophages.

We live in a virosphere - the most abundant organisms on the planet are viruses. Fortunately, humans have evolved efficient defensive measures - our immune system - that protects us against most incoming viruses. However, sometimes these defences fail, resulting in the establishment of viral infections. In the worst cases this leads to global and rapid spread of an infectious diseases, i.e. a pandemic. In order to understand how pandemics arise, and how they could be prevented in the future, we need to study these pathogens. In this workshop we will discuss with you the interplay between our defensive systems and pandemic pathogens as illustrated by HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. We will show you how we study high risk pathogens within our safety labs. You get to experience our lab's safety equipment while building your own (3D printed) version of a pandemic pathogen, which you can keep as a safe reminder of the dangers posed by pathogens we may occasionally face.