International EBM Symposium 2025 – Exploring Brain Mechanics

Date: September 30 – October 1, 2025
Location: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany
Participants: ~120 researchers from 12 countries

The EBM Symposium 2025 – Exploring Brain Mechanics brought together leading researchers from around the world to explore the mechanical properties of the brain. Hosted at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, the two-day event provided a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary exchange, connecting biomechanics, neuroscience, biophysics, and clinical research in an inspiring atmosphere.

International Participation & Invited Speakers

Researchers from Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa attended, representing prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, Charité Berlin, Helmholtz Zentrum München, and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).

The symposium featured 14 invited speakers, including Philip V. Bayly (US), Lynne E. Bilston (AU), Matteo Mario Bonsanto (DE), Alain Goriely (GB), Magdalena Götz (DE), Lucy V. Hiscox (GB), Paul A. Janmey (US), Michael Krieg (ES), Mehmet Kurt (US), Katie Long (GB), Medha M. Pathak (US), Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez (GB), Daniel M. Suter (US), and Roberto Toro (FR). Their talks spanned cutting-edge topics in brain mechanics and fostered lively discussions throughout the event.

Scientific Program

The program comprised 24 talks (including 14 invited lectures) and 43 poster presentations, covering a wide range of topics in brain mechanics:

1️⃣ Brain Mechanics and Neuroimaging
Highlights included non-invasive techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) and advanced imaging for measuring brain stress, strain, and structural changes, with talks from Philip V. Bayly, Lucy V. Hiscox, Mehmet Kurt, and Lynne E. Bilston.

2️⃣ Neurodevelopment and Cell Mechanics
Presentations focused on how mechanical forces shape neuronal development, featuring Medha M. Pathak on mechanosensitive channels, Katie Long on extracellular matrix effects, and Magdalena Götz on neurogenesis and neural repair.

3️⃣ Mechanobiology and Disease Models
Speakers explored the connection between mechanics and pathology, including brain tumor characterization, cell migration, and traumatic brain injury. Key contributions came from Matteo Mario Bonsanto, Paul Janmey, Riyi Shi, Vickie Shim, and Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez.

4️⃣ Mathematical and Computational Models
Several talks integrated theoretical and computational approaches to model brain tissue mechanics, multiscale neuronal pathfinding, and mechanical morphogenesis. Notable presentations included Alain Goriely, Roberto Toro, Manuel Kainz, and Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez.

The poster sessions provided a lively platform for young researchers, covering topics from cellular mechanics and brain organoids to clinical applications and computational modeling – sparking animated discussions and new collaborations.

Mentorship and Networking

Beyond the talks and poster sessions, the symposium placed a strong emphasis on mentorship and personal exchange. During the popular “Meet the Mentor” lunches, early-career researchers had the opportunity to talk informally with leading scientists such as Philip V. Bayly, Lynne E. Bilston, Magdalena Götz, Lucy V. Hiscox, Michael Krieg, Katie Long, Medha M. Pathak, Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez, and Daniel M. Suter. These sessions provided a welcoming space for questions, guidance, and lively scientific discussions.

Networking continued in a relaxed atmosphere during extended coffee breaks and the Conference Dinner at Kulturforum Logenhaus Erlangen, accompanied by music from DJ Sebastián. A particularly heartwarming moment occurred during the dinner when the Co-Speaker of CRC 1540 EBM and co-organizer of the symposium celebrated her birthday. She was surprised with a large cake and a spontaneous serenade from over a hundred international guests – a joyful highlight that perfectly captured the spirit of collegiality, friendship, and the vibrant community fostered by the symposium.

Awards

Outstanding contributions were recognized with three awards:

• Oral Presentation Award: Manuel P. Kainz (TU Graz)

• Poster Awards: Konstantin Hein and Sebastián Vásquez-Sepúlveda

All winners received certificates and a €100 prize, celebrating not only their excellent work but also their contribution to the lively discussions that made the symposium so engaging.

Warm congratulations to all three for their excellent work and well-deserved recognition!

Resources

The symposium program and Book of Abstracts are available for download:

• • 📄 Program Flyer: Overview of the symposium schedule.
  • 📚 Book of Abstracts: Contains all abstracts for oral and poster presentations, including authors and affiliations.

Conclusion

The EBM Symposium 2025 successfully fostered international collaboration and highlighted the growing interdisciplinary nature of brain mechanics research. With its combination of scientific excellence, mentorship, and warm community spirit, the event reinforced Erlangen’s role as a central hub for pioneering brain mechanics studies — and left participants inspired for future collaborations.

Kategorie: Allgemein, Events, People, Research