This May, we had the pleasure of welcoming the two young researchers Katharina and Clara to CIBSS and the Signalling Factory. Their project, "Production and Purification of a Novel Protein in the Bacterium E. coli", earned them the special prize in biology sponsored by CIBSS at the Jugendforscht competition Baden-Württemberg of 2024. This achievement was rewarded with an exclusive invitation for a short trip to Freiburg and a three-day internship in our labs and facilities.

The young scientists, who share our passion for life sciences, had the unique opportunity to experience our researchers' work up close. At various stations, they gained in-depth insights into our daily research activities, learned about the questions that drive us, and explored the methods and techniques we use. They observed our colleagues in the molecular biology lab, worked with bacterial cultures, and performed tasks such as isolating plasmid DNA, conducting PCR and DNA digestion with restriction enzymes followed by gel electrophoresis, and they visited the Life Imaging Center (LIC).

A Window into Biological Signalling Research: CIBSS at Jugendforscht at the Freiburg Trade Fair

Earlier this year, March 20–21, 2024, a small delegation from CIBSS, together with a group of the Freiburg iGEM teams of 2023 and 2024, presented fascinating insights into biological signalling research. Most of the exhibition space at the Freiburg Trade Fair was naturally dedicated to the competition participants and their presentations. Alongside colleagues from other research institutions in the region, we also had the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the Jugendforscht projects of 2024 and engage with the inspiring young researchers. At our booth, visitors could observe zebrafish larvae at various developmental stages, marvel at the extremely helpful nodules on clover seedlings, and explore an interactive exhibit demonstrating how plants regulate and optimise mineral uptake through the charge of their cell walls.

Want to Know More? Become Part of Biological Signalling Research!

Are you interested in life sciences? Are you fascinated by how billions of cells perform their specific functions and work together? Do you want to experience the fascination of biological signalling research up close and discover how we explore the "Language of Life"?

>>> Check out our participation opportunities and apply for an internship, visit us at one of our public events (here's the event calendar), or contact us for lab tours for school classes, teachers, and interested groups, and training sessions for teachers.

>>> Learn more about  iGEM – the international synthetic biology competition, which a Freiburg team participates in every year.