Allgemein

"Niklas Gampl (A05) visited Caren Norden’s lab at the Gulbenkian Institute, Oeiras, Portugal, exploring how mechanosensing and tissue stiffness shape zebrafish retina development. His research bridges zebrafish and Xenopus to uncover forces driving neuroepithelial morphogenesis.

The EBM Annual Report 2025 provides a concise overview of key developments, projects, and milestones from the past year. It highlights achievements, reflects on key topics, and outlines the impulses and perspectives shaping the year ahead.

On November 25, EBM Ph.D. students explored magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Guillaume Flé and Michael Fedders shared insights on MRI sampling techniques and phase unwrapping, giving participants a hands-on look at cutting-edge research and sparking lively discussion.

Majahonkhe Shabangu from the University of Cape Town joined the Institute of Continuum Mechanics and Biomechanics for joint lab shadowing. Together with CRC researchers, they probed the mechanical properties of brain organoids and spheroids, uncovering new insights to guide future testing protocols.

At the Long Night of the Sciences 2025, EBM invited visitors to explore the fascinating world of brain mechanics through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and rare insights into real human brain anatomy at the MPZPM Brain Lounge.

From October 9–10, 2025, the EBM community gathered in the picturesque village of Muggendorf for its third annual retreat. Two days of scientific exchange, strategic planning, and team-building—including a lively archery tournament—brought researchers, PIs, and fellows together to connect, reflect, and inspire future progress.

On October 13th, Paul Steinmann led a hands-on workshop on stiffness and viscosity, connecting everyday demos — like rubber bands and gummy bears — to mechanics, rheological models, and the fascinating stories behind the scientists who discovered them.

The EBM Symposium 2025 at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light brought together 120 researchers from around 12 countries to explore the mechanics of the brain — fostering inspiring interdisciplinary exchange across biomechanics, neuroscience, and clinical research.

On September 28, 2025, CRC 1540 “Exploring Brain Mechanics” members and their families met at the Entlas-Keller beer garden. Under sunny skies, they enjoyed a relaxed afternoon, reconnected after the summer break, and gathered energy for the upcoming renewal phase.

EBM warmly congratulates Sonja Kuth on the successful defense of her dissertation, “Development of hydrogels based on oxidized hyaluronic acid for neural applications,” held on September 26, 2025.