Immune monitoring comprises the combination of various diagnostic tools that are intended to provide information about the immune status of a patient. Depending on the clinical application, humoral factors or complement components, the cellular composition of the blood, functional cellular parameters or a combination of these can be determined. A prerequisite for disease- and/or therapy-specific immune monitoring is the identification of suitable biomarkers, which can be measured qualitatively and quantitatively, for example, by flow cytometry at the single cell level. Immune monitoring is the basis for developing personalized treatment options in the long run. In the field of biomedical research, multiparameter flow cytometry represents an indispensable tool for the elucidation of fundamental immunobiological processes as a basis for the development of new therapeutic approaches. Immunological aspects in the most diverse directions of research are brought to the fore, such as in the fields of neurology, aging and trauma research as well as in oncological basic and translational research - focus of the research site Ulm. Multiparameter flow cytometry opens up opportunities to fulfill complex and innovative research approaches in order to achieve therapeutically relevant scientific results.

In this workshop, the participants will get an insight into immune monitoring and the analysis of immune checkpoint molecules. The participants will be introduced to the devices and methods used for immune monitoring in our Core Facility. The participants will dissociate tissue with the gentleMACS Octo Dissociator, measure differential blood counts with a hematocytometer and stain different panels for subsequent multiparameter spectral/conventional flow cytometric analyses. Shortly before the workshop, there will be a short online meeting with all participants to consider their individual wishes in order to adapt the workflow to their requirements. It is also possible for participants to bring their own samples, which they would like to analyze.

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.

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!

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.

This workshop provides an introduction to histological analysis of the hematopoietic niche with a focus on age-related immune changes. Using whole-mount bone specimens from young and aged mice, immune cells, vascular structures and nuclei will be labeled by immunofluorescence using the iFAST3D technique. In addition, an optional activation marker will be included to study age-related differences in immune cell activity.

Participants will learn about hematopoiesis, the hematopoietic stem cell niche, and age-related immune remodeling, while gaining hands-on experience in cryotomy, immunofluorescence staining, confocal laser microscopy, and optionally quantitative image analysis.

A theoretical overview will be followed by a hands-on demonstration of cryotomy and immunostaining. The workshop will continue with imaging of the stained bone whole-mounts using confocal laser microscopy. Quantitative image analysis (immune cell distribution in young vs. aged samples) will be performed.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of stem cell biology or immunology is helpful but not required.

In diesem Workshop lernen Sie alles rund um den Südafrikanischen Krallenfrosch Xenopus laevis als Modellorganismus in der Entwicklungsbiologie und für die Pestizidforschung. Nach einer theoretischen Einführung bekommen Sie an mehreren Stationen einen Einblick in unser Labor. Sie werden sehen, wie die adulten Frösche gehalten und gepflegt werden und wie die Frosch-Weibchen Eizellen ablaichen. Auch werden Sie unter dem Mikroskop die Embryonalentwicklung der Xenopus-Embryonen von der befruchteten Eizelle zur Kaulquappe beobachten (siehe Abbildung). Anhand verschiedener Aufgaben werden bestimmte Stadien der Embryonalentwicklung sowie Organe entdeckt. Weiterhin werden Sie analysieren dürfen, welchen Einfluss verschiedene Pestizide wie Glyphosat auf die Kaulquappe haben.

In vivo neurochemical profiling plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the brain and its functions. By analyzing the levels and activity of various neurotransmitters and metabolites, in live animals or humans, we can gain insights into the mechanisms underlying behavior, cognition, and disease. This information can be used to develop new treatments and therapies for a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Moreover, in vivo neurochemical profiling can help us identify potential biomarkers for these conditions, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatments. By tracking changes in neurochemical levels over time, we can also monitor the eSectiveness of interventions and gain a deeper understanding of the long-term eSects of drugs and other interventions on the brain. In short, in vivo neurochemical profiling is a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of the brain and improving human health.

Join us for a workshop on magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a focus on preclinical research. Learn about accessible neuro metabolites and their roles in neuroscience. We'll also tour a small animal imaging core facility, which features an advanced 11.7 Tesla preclinical MR scanner and participate in a hands-on practical session.

In this workshop, we will explore how behavioral analysis helps us to understand brain function. We will discuss experimental methods for assessing and evaluating behavior and their relevance to neuroscience research. In addition to the theoretical foundations on various tests developed to measure locomotor and emotional changes in rodents, we will provide insights into the analysis and interpretation of behavioral data. Finally, we will discuss on the advantages and pitfalls of different tests.

Our workshop deals with innate host protection mechanisms and, besides theoretical aspects, offers a practical course in our laboratory.