International Symposium & Alumni Meeting 2025: Microbes and Host Cells – Registration Open

The TF Meyer Laboratory, in collaboration with its alumni from institutions of the Max Planck Society and Kiel University, is once again organizing an international symposium. This year’s program will spotlight pioneering topics at the intersection of cutting-edge basic research and its implications for human health and longevity.
Entitled “Microbes and Host Cells – Determinants of Health and Disease”, the symposium is supported by the European Research Council (ERC) and structured into four thematic sessions. The opening session will explore the fundamentals of microbial pathogens and the influence of the microbiota on digestive system function. Subsequent sessions will examine the consequences of these interactions for gut homeostasis, host defense, the gut-brain axis, local and systemic inflammation, and cancer development. The symposium will also highlight the transformative potential of advanced organoid technologies, especially when combined with bioinformatics and artificial intelligence (AI), for developing precise and personalized approaches to cancer treatment.
Complementing the main event, a satellite meeting—also supported by the ERC—will provide a dedicated platform for alumni to engage in discussions on emerging and impactful research. These dialogues are expected to shape future directions in the quest to understand and improve human health.
The symposium will take place at the Harnack House of the Max Planck Society in Berlin-Dahlem, a venue renowned in the scientific community for its historic legacy, warm hospitality, and excellent cuisine.