28.09.2026
What role do membrane contact sites play in bacterial pathogenesis and infection?
To explore this question, 24 PIs from across Germany, representing two scientific communities - lipid biology and infection biology - came together at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology CSSB in Hamburg to develop new ideas and shape a joint research concept.
The two-day JIM - Journal of Internal Medicine Think Tank was initiated and led by Prof. Dr. Caroline Barisch, who heads the Host-Microbe Interactome group at the Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum , is affiliated with the Universität Hamburg, and is based at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB).
The meeting featured inspiring keynote talks by Joost Holthuis, Guillaume Drin and Fikadu Tafesse, bringing together perspectives from membrane biology, lipid biology and infection research.
Scientific exchange continued well beyond the talks, including a joint dinner with plenty of time for discussion and networking. The following morning was dedicated to an intensive brainstorming session, using the collective expertise - and some “herd wisdom” - of the group to identify common themes, new connections and directions for a future collaborative research initiative.
A big thank you to the Journal of Internal Medicine Hashtag for supporting and sponsoring the Think Tank and making it possible to bring these two communities together.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Caroline Barisch
Leiterin der Forschungsgruppe "Wirts-Mikroben Interaktom"
Email: caroline.barisch@cssb-hamburg.de