News & Events

Online symptom checkers often miss the mark. Can AI do better? Researchers from Altuna Akalin’s team at MDC-BIMSB put large language models to the test – evaluating their ability to guide patients and support doctors. Their study was published in “npj Digital Medicine.”

Svenja Steinfelder is a postdoc in the “Neural Circuits and Behaviour” group, where the biologist manages the lab. Her fascination with science doesn’t stop there: Svenja recommends two podcasts that take us into the amazing – and sometimes quirky – world of research.

The Life Science Learning Lab has launched a new podcast intended to spark young people’s interest in research. During the first three episodes of “scienceCLASH,” students from Berlin interviewed Sarah Kedziora and Theda Bartolomaeus from the ECRC about the gut microbiome’s influence on heart health.

The Zia fellowship supports young female researchers in their professional and personal development. Interested applicants can apply for next year’s fellowship in July and August. Evangelia Nathanail from the Max Delbrück Center is a current fellow — and highly recommends the program.

“The Healing Museum” combines art history with meditation, mindfulness, and medical research. The project, which aims to strengthen the mental health of visitors, was created through a collaboration between the Bode Museum and the ECRC and was spearheaded by Carmen Infante Duarte.

Stan Gorski has been appointed Head of Strategic Initiatives. He and his team aim to drive strategic developments in areas such as spatial biomedicine, AI, bioengineering and precision prevention. They will also strengthen collaborations among institutions and help set a bold agenda for the future.

Senegalese scientists gained hands-on microscopy and image analysis training during a workshop to strengthen regional biomedical research capacity in Africa. The workshop was headed by Peran Hayes, who will present the project as a contestant in this year’s EU-LIFE Science Vision Talk Contest.

The EU-LIFE Core Facilities Working Group published a paper on the management of technology platforms in “EMBO reports.” It provides useful insights into the lifecycle of these essential facilities, from creation to closing, and examples of challenges faced by research institutes of the EU-LIFE alliance.

How do disordered proteins drive neurological diseases? Dr. Melissa Birol uses advanced imaging and brain organoids to uncover the hidden functions of these mysterious proteins. She hopes to find novel ways to treat incurable diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.