"CoM2Life" aims to develop a revolutionary generation of soft biomaterials that are based on the principles of living systems and are able to enter into permanent and reciprocal communication with living systems, i.e. cells and tissues. To this end, the scientists are following an approach that combines the chemistry-centred design of biomaterials with the design of regulatory circuits in synthetic biology. In this way, they are creating the prerequisites for the development of intelligent biomaterials that are capable of selectively detecting signals from their environment, processing them internally and then controlling actuators and effectors as required.

The aim is to enable ground-breaking advances in medical research, including the development of feedback-controlled materials for the needs-based release of drugs and biological effectors for cancer immunotherapy or tissue regeneration, for new tissue models that can replace animal experiments and, in the long term, for the development of artificial organs. Communication sciences are also involved in this highly interdisciplinary project in order to counter the challenge of misinformation about this innovative field of research.

As part of our tour of cultural and historical sites, we’d like to invite you to an excursion to Marburg. During a guided tour (in English), we will get to know important landmarks of the city such as St Elisabeth's Church and the old town up to Marburg's Landgrave's Castle. Important personalities such as St Elisabeth of Thuringia, the Brothers Grimm, Martin Luther, Emil von Behring and Martin Heidegger have lived in Marburg. Most of them were students or teachers at Philipps University, which was founded in 1527. It is the world's oldest university of Protestant origin still in existence.

The guided tour takes about 2 hours and we will be walking uphill a lot! Afterwards, we will have the opportunity to round off the day with a nice (and optional) get-together.

The event will take place on Saturday, 28 September 2024. The meeting point is at 12.05 p.m. at Frankfurt Main Station, directly at platform 16 (train RE98). 

To participate, kindly register via email to EichinGonzalez@grade.uni-frankfurt.de. Please include your name and university affiliation. Participation is free! 

The number of participants is limited to 20 persons. For questions or suggestions concerning the Social Event, feel free to contact us at EichinGonzalez@grade.uni-frankfurt.de.

For a period of eight days, participants discussed cultural-science perspectives of children’s and young adult media, including for example disability, gender, age or celebrity studies, new methods such as digital humanities, as well as the book market, its developments and job opportunities, in the Class of Humanities of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz. In addition to numerous lectures and workshops by German and international speakers, who primarily addressed topics of cultural science and literary studies, the program also included creative workshops where participants had the opportunity to learn how to produce an audio drama (Chris Kling from Klangkantine) or how to illustrate a picture book (Pei-Yu Chang and Dully & Dax). Excursions to Grimmwelt Kassel, the ZDF broadcasting center in Mainz, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association in Frankfurt or the Klingspor Museum for modern and contemporary book and typographic art in Offenbach were also part of the cross-media and interdisciplinary program. 

Over the course of these eight days, participants from three countries, including a number of masters students from the joint degree program Children’s and Young Adult Literature/Book Studies offered by Goethe University Frankfurt and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, could successfully expand their network, share their professional and personal experiences and thus profit from the guiding principle of the strategic alliance of the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU). The very positive feedback is a clear indication of the great success of the first Summer School, which will be held for a second time in a similar format next year. 

German text: Adriana Acquaviti

In the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments, the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) have submitted the full proposals in the Excellence Cluster (EXC) funding line, for which the submission deadline expired today. The expert committee of the German Research Foundation (DFG) had invited four of the cluster initiatives newly submitted by the Rhine-Main Universities to submit full proposals. The Rhine-Main Universities also submitted two follow-up proposals.

Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch, President of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the current RMU spokesperson said: “The submission of the full proposals in the Excellence Cluster funding line is another important step in the Excellence Strategy. I would like to thank all those involved who worked extremely hard on the applications over the past months and did everything they could to ensure that we were able to submit outstanding proposals today. I am very proud of the extraordinary achievements and the remarkable commitment of all RMU members involved. We are now looking forward to presenting the research strength of the Rhine-Main area to the reviewers from October onwards.” The decision as to which Clusters of Excellence will receive funding from 2026 onwards will be issued on 22 May 2025.

Krausch added: „Competition is strong in the German science landscape. However, the success we had so far in the Excellence Cluster funding line is a clear confirmation to us as the Rhine-Main Universities that, as an alliance, we achieve unique results across all performance dimensions through our long-standing and value-adding cooperation. As RMU, we are already working on the next steps to further strengthen our alliance.”

Overview of the cluster projects at the three universities

Technical University (TU) of Darmstadt submitted full proposals for a total of three cluster initiatives. In addition to the research collaboration CoM2Life led by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the projects are Reasonable Artificial Intelligence (RAI) led by TU Darmstadt and The Adaptive Mind (TAM), a joint proposal of Justus Liebig University Giessen and Philipps University Marburg.

Reasonable Artificial Intelligence (RAI)
Over the past decade, deep learning (DL) has driven groundbreaking advances in artificial intelligence (AI). However, current DL-based AI systems are unreasonable in many ways: They require considerable resources, they struggle with reasoning, handling unfamiliar situations, they do not improve continuously, learn through interactions, or adapt quickly. The Cluster of Excellence Reasonable Artificial Intelligence therefore aims to develop a new generation of AI, Reasonable Artificial Intelligence (RAI). This new generation learns in a more ‘reasonable’ way than current systems by training models in a modular fashion, allowing them to continuously improve and build abstract world knowledge, and, equipped with common sense, they will have an inherent ability to reason, interact, and adapt to their surroundings.

The Adaptive Mind (TAM)
The project “The Adaptive Mind” aims to understand the fundamental processes behind human perception, thought and behaviour that allow us to adapt to constantly changing conditions. The collaboration between the Justus Liebig University Gießen, Philipps University Marburg and TU Darmstadt brings together researchers from the fields of psychology, cognitive science and neuroscience with experts in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and robotics to decode the universal principles behind human adaptability. The findings from the project will be integrated into computer models that can imitate, predict and explain both the spectacular successes and also tragic limits of the human mind – and will also have an impact on basic research, mental health and the development of safe AI and robot technology.

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz submitted a joint full proposal with TU Darmstadt for the cluster project CoM2Life as well as a follow-up proposal for the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence.

Communicating Biomaterials: Convergence Center for Life-like Soft Materials and Biological Systems (CoM2Life)
CoM2Life is a joint Cluster of Excellence proposal by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Technical University of Darmstadt, and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. The initiative seeks to develop a revolutionary new generation of soft biomaterials inspired by the principles of living systems, capable of permanent and reciprocal interactions with living cells and tissues. By integrating the chemistry-centered design of biomaterials with the regulatory circuits of synthetic biology, the project aims to create intelligent biomaterials that can selectively detect environmental signals, process them internally, and precisely control effectors. This innovative approach promises to revolutionize medical research, enabling the development of feedback-controlled materials for the targeted release of drugs and biological agents, such as in cancer immunotherapy and tissue regeneration. It will also pave the way for new tissue models to replace animal testing and, ultimately, for the creation of artificial organs. To address public perception challenges in this pioneering field, communication science experts are involved in the project, working to understand the spread of misinformation and ensure responsible dialogue with the public about these scientific advancements.

Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter (PRISMA++)
PRISMA++ is the title of the follow-up proposal for the Cluster of Excellence "Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter" (PRISMA+). The proposal is being submitted jointly by JGU's Institute of Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics, together with the Helmholtz Institute Mainz. The purpose of this cluster is to explore the existence of a "new physics" beyond that of the Standard Model of particle physics. There are three main factors underlying the research into the limitations of the Standard Model. These are the extent of synergy between theory and experiment, the availability of state-of-the-art facilities on the campus and wide-ranging international collaboration. Among the core features of the cluster is the construction and operation of the particle accelerator MESA (Mainz Energy-recovering Superconducting Accelerator) that will enable the results of high-precision experiments to be compared with the predictions of theoretical physics. In this new funding period, the cluster is proposing to also investigate aspects of physics at high and low energies with the intention of identifying new particles and phenomena. In addition, the study of the properties of neutrinos is to be intensified. The work of the cluster will continue to receive significant support through the research program of the Mainz Institute of Theoretical Physics (MITP) and the development of hardware by the PRISMA Detector Lab. The Mainz Physics Academy will furthermore remain the umbrella body responsible for all activities relating to the training and career planning of the associated young researchers.

Goethe University Frankfurt submitted a full proposal for the cluster initiative SCALE as well as a follow-up proposal for the existing Cluster of Excellence Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (jointly with Justus Liebig University Giessen).

SCALE: Subcellular Architecture of LifE. Cells consist of billions of molecules that are organized from single molecules to large molecular complexes to organelles. Although the functions of many individual molecules are known, it often remains unclear how the architecture inside a cell develops and functions, and how the parts interact. In addition to uncovering the cell’s self-organization principles, the scientists at SCALE also want to create a simulation of the cell with high spatial and temporal resolution. This, they hope, will lead to a better understanding of how cells really function and how their various “machines” interact.

CPI: Cardio-Pulmonary Institute. Diseases of the cardiovascular system often go hand in hand with lung diseases, and are the most common causes of death worldwide. The Cluster of Excellence seeks to understand which molecular biological processes underlie these organs’ functioning as well as their failure in diseases. To find new therapeutic approaches, CPI scientists are developing cross-university model systems, ranging from cell cultures to animal models, and combining the results with examination data from patients. The cluster received funding as the “Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System” from 2006 to 2018 and was again awarded the title of Cluster of Excellence Cardio-Pulmonary Institute in 2019.
 

The ryon Summer School offers young researchers (Master, PhD or Post-Doc) from various disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology and materials science the opportunity to take their ideas to the next level. The program offers a mixture of scientific lectures, experiences of founders, teamwork and business coaching. The program concludes with a pitch in front of a jury of experts. The company “ryon” is a GreenTech Accelerator for start-ups and young companies in the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, materials science and engineering.

The Summer School offers not only scientific depth, but also practical insights into founding a company. Participants learn what steps are necessary to turn an idea into a successful start-up. Participants receive input from renowned researchers and successful founders. They develop their own business ideas and work them out.

The program is supported by the Rhine-Main universities - Goethe University Frankfurt, Technical University of Darmstadt and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz - and the technology transfer offices Highest, Innovectis and TQ.

The central theme of this year's Summer School is biomaterials, which are at the interface between biology and materials science. These materials are designed to interact with biological systems and are used in areas such as medical implants, hydrogels for tissue engineering and polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery. A particularly innovative area is engineered living materials (ELM), which combine biological systems with materials to enable unique and adaptive functions. These developments are also a core component of the “CoM2Life” cluster project, which has been invited to submit a full application for the Cluster of Excellence funding line as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state

Text: Centre for Synthetic Biology/eml/bjb

As you may know already, the RMU are planning to submit a joint proposal as a consortium in the Excellence Strategy. To ensure the proposal’s success, we need you as university members! Come join us at the Rhine-Main Universities Day, where we will present our ideas for the proposal and cordially invite you to discuss and develop them with us.

Are you as excited about the future as we are? Then come and take part in the Rhine-Main Universities Day and help us shape not only our proposal for the Excellence Strategy, but the future of the RMU as a whole. 

We are happy to announce that Dr. med. Florence Randrianarisoa (“Quarks”) will be our host for the day. You will receive an invitation with all the relevant details in due time.

Do you want to shape the future AND pass on your expert knowledge? Then we invite you to take part in the first RMU Science Contest, which will be held in the evening as part of the Rhine-Main Universities Day! Further information on the Science Contest can be found here.

You can now register for the Rhine-Main Universities Day: Tag der RMU 2024 | Rhein-Main Universitäten (rhein-main-universitaeten.de)

The Science Contest will be held in the evening of 27 November as part of the Rhine-Main Universities Day. Interdisciplinary teams made up of RMU researchers will answer science-related questions which participants have always wanted to ask and which they can submit when registering for the Rhine-Main Universities Day.

The organizers will assemble the interdisciplinary teams for the Science Contest from across all three universities, and the teams will then compete against each other. The winner will be the team with the most convincing explanations and presentations.

The winning team will not only be rewarded with fame and glory, but also with a half-day workshop on science communication held by science journalist Dr. med. Florence Randrianarisoa (“Quarks”) in Mainz. All participating teams will receive a small thank-you gift.

Does that sound interesting to you? And are you up for innovative science communication? Then register now for the Science Contest! Send an email with your name, area of expertise and the name of your university to: gs@rhein-main-universitaeten.de (subject: Science Contest) and don‘t miss your chance to participate.

This is your chance to secure one of the remaining spots. Sign up now for the comprehensive festival program and immerse yourself in the subject of Open Science!

The OSF, which will be organized by the Rhine-Main Universities, will take place on 17 and 18 September on the campus of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. If you want to learn more about the program and register for the OSF, please click on https://opensciencefestival.de