Eduard Strasburger HOT TOPIC workshop: Cryo-ET and Photosynthesis

From 13–15 April 2026, we and the German Botanical Society (DBG) will host a workshop on cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) in Prof. Dr. Ben Engel’s group at the Biozentrum, Basel, Switzerland.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn the main steps of sample preparation prior to cryo-electron tomography data acquisition, as well as parts of the data-processing pipeline and visualization tools. There will also be time for networking with other early-career researchers and invited experts in the field.

Thanks to funding from the DBG and the DFG, the workshop is free of charge for all participants and includes food and drinks throughout the event. Travel to and accommodation in Basel are at the participants’ own expense.

If you are interested in attending, please email karen.zinzius@uni-muenster.de, stating your name, affiliation, position, and motivation (no more than five sentences). Participation is limited to 20 participants, and selection will be based on the information provided. Successful applicants will be notified at the beginning of March and will receive the final program and further relevant information.

We look forward to seeing you in Basel.

Fanny Le Blanc, Davide Tamborrini, Karen Zinzius

Workshop on Mass Spectrometry

From the theoretical basics of the method, via sample preparation, measurement and data analysis, up to data visualization: In our recent workshop, everything centred around the topic of Mass Spectrometry. From October 6^th to 10^th, the participating PhD students and PostDocs deepened their knowledge about identification and quantification of proteins and their modifications. On the way they gained ideas for new experiments, which they can do back in their laboratories. Team building activities like canoeing or cooking fostered group identity, so that we are looking forward to our next meeting with the consortium in spring next year.

Thanks a lot to the working groups of Prof. Finkemeier and Prof. Hippler for the support during conceptualizing and executing the workshop.

2nd GoPMF meeting

The second meeting of the GoPMF members took place in Münster from 09.-11.04.2025. Scientific talks and poster presentations formed the basis for intense exchange on the progress of research within the consortium. Presentations by guest speakers Prof. Amunts (University of Münster) and Prof. Braun (University of Hannover) broadened the scientific scope. We enjoyed exchanging out first scientific results in person and set the frame for our future collaboration.

Imaging Workshop

From 07.04.25 to 09.04.25 the participants of the GoPMF Imaging workshop had lots to learn, experience and evaluate. Following a theoretical introduction by members of the working groups of Prof. Schwarzländer and Prof. Busch as well as of the University of Osnabrück and the company ChloroSpec, individual samples brought by the participants could be used for Image generation by different techniques on the second day of the workshop. On the last day the focus was on data analysis and image processing. With lots of newly gained knowledge and a strengthened group identification the PhDs and PostDocs started into the following 2nd GoPMF Meeting, to which all members of the consortium had been invited.

A big 'thank you' to Ana Cislaghi, who designed and carried out the workshop within her PostDoc position in the GoPMF consortium.

Project Meeting AG Gutekunst und AG Matuszyńska in Kassel

Greetings from the meeting of the AGs Matuszyńska and Gutekunst! Today we intensified our collaboration and discussed the plan for the future. Also, first measurements for improving the mathematical modelling of the proton motive force were carried out. We will be excited about first results!

DataPLANT Workshop

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We are delighted to collaborate with the NFDI DataPLANT! During a three-day workshop in Münster, our PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and staff scientists were introduced to the essentials of research data management using the annotated research context. Our time together was further enriched by social activities and a scientific speed dating session.

GoPMF Kickoff Meeting

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During a three-day meeting in Münster, we discussed the progress of our individual projects, extended a warm welcome to our new members, and meticulously planned our activities for the forthcoming months.

The DFG and the SNF support GoPMF!

We are delighted to announce the generous support of our research group by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). Over the next four years, DFG FOR 5573 - GoPMF will investigate the dynamic regulation of the proton motive force (PMF) in photosynthesis.