Forschungsimpuls – CytoTransport

Young scientists impress at CytoTransport research meeting

CytoTransport Museum Koenig 25092025 Foto Pascal Schroeder (15)

Thursday 2 October 2025

Three excellent keynote speakers, eleven presentations by doctoral students and postdocs as well as 21 posters: the second research retreat of the DFG-funded research network "CytoTransport - Mechanisms and Modulation of Cellular Transport Processes" was a complete success and impressively demonstrated how far the international and interdisciplinary research team of 26 scientists from twelve countries has already come. "We can already boast several publications as well as transfer and teaching activities," says Professor Mike Althaus, spokesperson for the network.

The CytoTransport research network

Cytotransport Konferenz 25. September 2025 Museum Koenig Bonn

Research network spokesperson Professor Mike Althaus and University President Marion Halfmann. Photo: Pascal Schroeder

It was an inspiring day for knowledge-oriented research: around 50 guests came together on Thursday, 25 September 2025, at Museum Koenig in Bonn to share and discuss the progress made by the "CytoTransport" research network. "This retreat is more than just a scientific meeting. It is a celebration of the international collaboration, curiosity-driven research and vibrant academic culture that we are creating together at Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences," said University President Marion Halfmann in her welcoming address.

Transferring cutting-edge research into teaching

As in the previous year, the retreat provided a stage for young researchers. In addition to doctoral students and postdocs, Bachelor's and Master's students were also able to present their work on posters or in lectures. "This early and direct transfer of cutting-edge research into teaching is exactly what we strive for as a university of applied sciences. It shows how research and teaching can enrich each other and how the next generation of scientists can be trained with the latest research findings," continued Halfmann.

"Research is important. We live in a time of fake news, content generated by artificial intelligence and mistrust in or even attacks on science. In my view, incorporating research findings into teaching is more important than ever - it's about working on complex topics, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting data, questioning and reformulating hypotheses and finally presenting and discussing the data with colleagues. These are crucial skills for the future," emphasised Professor Mike Althaus.

Jonas Toews was honoured for his poster. A total of 21 young researchers presented posters. Photo: Pascal Schroeder

Four sessions

At Museum Koenig, eleven scientists presented their results to date in four sessions on the topics of "Cellular transport processes 1 and 2", "In silico modelling and method development" and "Bio-inspired nanomaterials". Karen Luján López and Karam Botrous were honoured at the end for the best presentations. 21 young researchers presented posters - prizes were awarded to Laura Hollweg, Linda Kurke, Simran Madaan and Jonas Toews.

Three keynote speakers

The conference was enriched by the three keynote speakers Dr Morag Mansley (University of St. Andrews), Professor Himanshu Khandelia (University of Southern Denmark) and Professor Ulrike Nuber (Technical University of Darmstadt), who reported on their research in exciting presentations.

"The day was a complete success and very inspiring and motivating for our future work," said Professor Mike Althaus.

The CytoTransport research network

The "CytoTransport" research network is one of ten collaborative projects funded nationwide in the new DFG "Forschungsimpulse" programme for universities of applied sciences. Experts are working together on an interdisciplinary basis to research cellular transport mechanisms in health and disease. H-BRS will receive around six million euros over five years as part of the DFG funding programme. The research network began its work in April 2024.