|
From Hidden Figures to Cutting-Edge Science – What's Ahead in February & March!
A film about unsung heroes, groundbreaking microbiology research, and exciting funding opportunities—this edition of the newsletter has it all! Join us for the first-ever Science Meets Society Film Night, where we’ll watch Hidden Figures and discuss the power of perseverance and innovation (with pizza, of course!).
Looking for new research experiences? Apply for the Microverse Scientist Exchange Funds or take your science communication skills to the next level with the KlarText Award or the Three Minute Thesis Competition. Plus, don’t miss Rotem Sorek’s JEMS talk on bacterial immune systems or the latest high-tech upgrades at the Microverse Imaging Center.
Plenty of opportunities are waiting—so dive in, get inspired, and be part of the conversation!
|
| |
Credits: Adobe Stock
|
Science Meets Society Film Night: Hidden Figures
February 20, 2025 | 5:30 to 8 pm
On February 20, 2025, the World Day of Social Justice, we will have the first Science Meets Society Film Night:
We will watch "Hidden Figures", a 2016 American biographical drama film that is based on the stories of three female African-American mathematicians who played a pivotal role in space research at NASA in the 1960s while at the same time, they also had to deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.
We will provide some pizza as snack. Please help us plan for the catering and register until February 13:
Everyone who would like to watch and discuss this film with us is welcome to join, regardless of institutional affiliation or lack thereof. Screening will be in English.
|
| |
|
Microverse Scientist Exchange Funds
Deadline: March 1st, 2025
Do you want to
- learn new technical skills
- experience research life in a different laboratory environment and culture
- help build (inter)national collaborations
You can apply for funds to spend a short research stay in another lab, or invite an outside researcher here to us in Jena.
The exchange program supports projects that are in line with the Microverse core topics (see below for more info) and enhances the scientific career development of doctoral researchers and postdocs.
Completed applications should be sent to contact@microverse-cluster.de by March 1st, 2025.
|
| Call & Application form |
| |
|
“Balance of the Microverse” leaves Platform X
In light of the generally known developments, we have left Platform X, formerly Twitter. With their departure, we want to send a clear signal against the spread of fake news and the instrumentalization of social media and science and at the same time expand their activities on Bluesky (@microverse.bsky.social). For more news follow us there!
|
| |
|
REMINDER: JEMS in March 2025
We are excited to announce the upcoming talk in the Jena Excellence in Microbiology Seminar (JEMS) series:
- Speaker: Rotem Sorek (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel)
- Date: March 10, 2025
- Title: "The immune system of bacteria: Beyond CRISPR"
- Time: 1 to 2 pm
- Location: Leibniz-HKI – Seminar Room Pasteur, Beutenbergstr. 11a, Jena
JEMS brings together leading experts to share cutting-edge research and foster collaboration within the microbiology community.
The seminar is open to all interested members of the Microverse Cluster and beyond. No registration is required.
|
| |
Exciting Upgrades at the Microverse Imaging Center
The Microverse Imaging Center (MIC) has expanded its capabilities with cutting-edge microscopy upgrades! These advancements, including a new ultra-high-resolution confocal microscope and improved imaging workflows, will enhance research on microbial interactions at the molecular level. The MIC continues to be a key resource for the Microverse community, offering state-of-the-art technology and expert support.
|
AxioObserver with Apotome and with the new stage-top incubator (Photo: Aurélie Jost)
|
|
Read more
|
|
| |
Call for Science Communication: KlarText Award - Apply now!
Deadline: February 28, 2025 | Prize: 7,500 euros
With the KlarText Award, the Klaus Tschira Foundation honours doctoral researchers from the fields of biology, chemistry, geosciences, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience and physics for special contributions in the field of science communication. Interested parties have until 28 February 2025 to submit their text contributions or infographics for the next KlarText round.
The prize winners can each look forward to 7,500 euros. Their contributions will also be published in the knowledge magazine ‘KlarText’.
|
|
Further information (German language)
|
| |
Further Events & Calls
-
CZS STEM Impact School
The Carl Zeiss Foundation offers a training program for researchers from the STEM disciplines. The aim of the Impact School is to convey fundamental principles for socially effective and quality-oriented science communication in five modules that build on each other.
Various dates
-
Graduate Academy: Three Minute Thesis Competition
Join us for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, where doctoral researchers present their research in just three minutes, showcasing their communication skills and innovative ideas to a broad audience.
February 26, 2025 | 5 to 9 pm | Rosensäle (Fürstengraben 27, Jena)
-
Bioeconomy Symposium: Advancing Sustainable Innovation
This symposium brings together experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest advancements in bioeconomy research, fostering sustainable innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
March 20, 2025 | 12:00 to 4:30 pm | Normannenhaus (Forstweg 12, Jena)
- Joachim Herz Award "Future Pioneers in Sustainable Biotechnology“
Support for innovative, interdisciplinary research projects by up-and-coming scientists.
Deadline: March 30, 2025 | Amount: 500,000 euros
|
| |
REMINDER: Apply for the LIFE Talent Award!
Deadline: January 31, 2025 | Amount: 5,000 euros per category
The University of Jena's LIFE profile area invites applications for the prestigious LIFE Talent Award, honoring exceptional achievements in the life sciences across all career stages.
Application Requirements:
Submit by January 31, 2025:
- Cover letter (max. 2 pages)
- CV with publications
- Letter of recommendation (for doctoral candidates and postdocs)
Apply here and showcase your research excellence! Questions? Contact Dania Rose-Sperling: Dania.rose-sperling@uni-jena.de.
|
|
Further Information
|
| |
Selected Publications
|
- Nychas E, Marfil-Sanchez A, Chen X, Mirhakkak M, Li H, Jia W, Xu A, Nielsen HB, Nieuwdorp M, Loomba R, Ni Y, Panagiotou G. Discovery of robust and highly specific microbiome signatures of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Microbiome. 2025;13(1):10.
- Maneira C, Chamas A, Lackner G. Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for medical applications. Microb Cell Fact. 2025;24(1):12.
- Krstić A, Gäbler TB, Jain N, Then P, Gili VF, Saravi S, Setzpfandt F, Eggeling C, Gräfe M. Enhancing entangled two-photon absorption of Nile Red via temperature-controlled SPDC. APL Quantum. 2025;2(1).
- Schroeter SA, Orme AM, Lehmann K, Lehmann R, Chaudhari NM, Küsel K, Wang H, Hildebrandt A, Totsche KU, Trumbore S, Gleixner G. Hydroclimatic extremes threaten groundwater quality and stability. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):720.
- Hofer C, Bausch D, Fürst L, Wei Z, Högner M, Butler TP, Gebhardt M, Heuermann T, Gaida C, Maiti KS, Huber M, Fill E, Limpert J, Krausz F, Karpowicz N, Pupeza I. Linear field-resolved spectroscopy approaching ultimate detection sensitivity. Optics Express. 2025;33(1).
- Velsko IM, Warinner C. Streptococcus abundance and oral site tropism in humans and non-human primates reflects host and lifestyle differences. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2025;11(1):19.
|
|
All publications
|
| |
|
