For two days, around 80 members of the CRC 1525 met at the Wildbad Day Center to discuss interim results, further projects and existing results, all of which relate to the relationships and processes of inflammatory reactions and immunological processes that are triggered in various heart diseases.

The event focuses on the scientific presentations on the topic of "Interactions between the Heart and the Immune System" from the individual project groups. In addition, the three young scientists, Diyaa Ashour, Marie Piollet, and Sarah Schäfer, presented the research results of their own projects, which are related to the CRC 1525 and provided interesting aspects.

Guest contributions from different departments of the University of Würzburg completed the program: Prof. Dr. rer nat. Dominic Grün, physicist at the Institute of Systems Biology, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Katrin Streckfuß-Bömecke, Biologist at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Monika Litvinukova, junior group leader at the Institute of Systems Immunology and new junior scientist in the CRC 1525 with her own project, are studying heart cells from different perspectives and with different research questions. Through their talks and the presentation of results from their research groups, they stimulated interdisciplinary exchange.

Guest contributions from various departments at the University of Würzburg rounded off the program: both Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dominic Grün, physicist at the Institute of Systems Biology, and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Katrin Streckfuß-Bömecke, a biologist at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Monika Litvinukova, junior group leader at the Institute of Systems Immunology and a new junior scientist in the CRC 1525 with her own project, are researching heart cells from different perspectives and with different questions. With their presentations of the results from their research groups, they stimulated the interdisciplinary exchange.

In the evening, in a cosy atmosphere over delicious food, the new impressions were processed and deepened in relaxed conversations. Everyone is looking forward to the fourth retreat in 2025, which will take place in June.

The SFB project C5, led by PD Dr. med. Caroline Morbach and PD Dr. med. Niklas Beyersdorf, is dedicated to analysing the immune response in decompensated heart failure. Particularly autoantibodies against the heart muscle are in the focus of the project.

In her doctoral thesis, the young scientist therefore follows the course of the immune response in 286 hospitalised patients over a period of 18 months in a prospective study. In fact, she was not only able to determine a change in general, but also provide evidence that the body's own antibodies can be directed against five different structures that are found either only or also in heart muscle cells. The research group has already been able to show that the occurrence of autoantibodies against the heart muscle is associated with a poor prognosis for those affected.

Their poster was awarded the first prize at the EUREKA! annual international congress of life sciences which took place in Würzburg on 5 and 6 October.

EUREKA! is organised by the doctoral students of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) and provides a platform where the latest findings and results from different areas of the life sciences are presented. Both already renowned and up-and-coming scientists can present their research work at this symposium.

During two days, around 80 members of the CRC 1525 exchanged information on progress, further projects and current results, dealing with the interaction and processes of inflammatory reactions and immunological processes that are triggered in various heart diseases.

However not only the scientific lectures on the topic: "Interactions between heart and immune system" from the individual project groups were the focus of the event, the retreat was also accompanied by a workshop led by Prof. Dr. phil. Heather Hofmeister. The sociologist and coach for scientific working groups from Bad Vilbel shared valuable tips and suggestions on how young researchers can be integrated into scientific working processes as collegially, seamlessly and efficiently as possible.

The highlight of the evening programme was an exciting night watchman tour through the narrow streets of the city. The participants enjoyed the evening in pleasant company, while listening to the guide's stories.

For all those who can barely wait for the next meeting, we have a little announcement for you: In 2024, the CRC 1525 retreat will take place in February.