ABSTRACT

Funded by the Claussen-Simon Foundation, the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder via the Transferfond and EUGLOH, this event combines a high-profile conference on 02 June 2025 with speakers from the WHO, UHH's Vice-President and external stakeholders with a workshop week at large-scale facilities like European XFEL on Bahrenfeld Campus. Social events like an evening at the Virtual Reality Headquarters with short academic notes by professors on VR in health-related disciplines and a boat tour through Hamburg are included.

This conference is free of charge for EUGLOH participants. Up to 60 applications can be accomodated, and up to 35 participants from EUGLOH partners can be fully funded via a EUGLOH scholarship. Further, academic staff is encouraged to apply for Erasmus+ Staff Mobility to join the event!

Please read the provided information on this activity carefully, and apply according to the respective target group, research or study affiliation.

We hope to welcome you to the University of Hamburg for this exciting opportunity. 

1. INTRODUCTION

Advancing health innovation requires fundamental research at the highest level. Large-scale research facilities provide unique opportunities to study physics and biological processes, develop new analytical methods, and subsequently refine pharmaceutical formulations, among other outputs. From X-ray crystallography and microfluidics to high-throughput bioanalytical techniques, these infrastructures enable precise characterisation of biomolecules, accelerating drug development and biomedical advancements.

With global health challenges growing in complexity, it is more essential than ever to translate discoveries into tangible solutions by connecting fundamental research, technology transfer and entrepreneurship.

From 2nd – 5th June 2025, the University of Hamburg brings together researchers, external stakeholders and high-level master’s students working at the intersection of health sciences, biophysics, and large-scale infrastructures from across the EUGLOH network and beyond. The program facilitates knowledge exchange, hands-on experimentation, and discussions on the entrepreneurial potential of fundamental research in a rapidly evolving global health landscape.

With partners from all relevant sectors – companies like XPLORAYTION, NGOs like the World Health Organization, research infrastructures like XFEL and academic representation – the University of Hamburg invites applications from national and international researchers and high-level master’s students from EUGLOH member universities, associated partners or research institutes to join the program.

2. PROGRAM

Day 1 – Conference & Thematic Workshops

The event opens on the 2nd June 2025 at the University of Hamburg with a warm welcome by UHH’s Vice President for Knowledge Exchange, Prof. Dr. Frost, followed by keynote presentations from leading institutions:

• One Health – Global Health (Prof. Dr. Mettenleiter | Academy of Sciences)


• Global Health Innovation (Dr. Moredreck | WHO)


• Entrepreneurship at and with Large-Scale Facilities (Dr. Hesse | XPLORAYTION)

In the afternoon, after a lunch break, participants will engage in simultaneous workshops focusing on key aspects of entrepreneurship, research translation and data management:

• Health Innovation: Introduction to IP at Universities and University Hospitals (Dr. Pitzschel / Dr. Cassens | Knowledge Exchange Agency / MediGate at UKE)


• Pitch Your Innovation! (Mo Ponten / Juliane Mietke | Knowledge Exchange Agency)


• Good Scientific Practice (Dr. von Bülow | LMU)


• Research Data Management (Dr. Thiemann | UHH)

The day concludes with a panel discussion, where experts from academia (Prof. Dr. Grüner and Prof. Dr. Clement / both UHH), research institutes (Antonio Bonucci / European XFEL) and industry will discuss the accessibility of global health as a common good or the necessity of commercialisation to drive further innovation.

For speakers and invited guests, the evening will conclude with a dinner at Portolino, near the Alster – please find the full program for the conference HERE.

Day 2-4 – Workshops at Large-Scale Facilities

From the 3rd-5th June 2025, participants will work in small focus groups at

• European XFEL


• Center for Structural Systems Biology & European Molecular Biology Lab


• PIER: Partnership of UHH and DESY in cooperation with the Knowledge Exchange Agency and HALRIC


• Center for the Hybrid Nanostructures

EUROPEAN XFEL

High-Throughput and Fast Dynamic Experiments for Health Research and Innovation

X-rays have played a crucial role in advancing health research by enabling the discovery of numerous protein and molecular structures and revealing their functions in action. The European X-ray Free Electron Laser (European XFEL), with its femtosecond X-ray pulses at MHz repetition rates and brilliance a billion times greater than synchrotrons, offers new opportunities to push the boundaries of this research.

In this workshop, we will explore fast dynamic experiments, such as those initiated by laser activation or reactant mixing, and discuss strategies to leverage the high repetition rate to enhance both sample throughput and data quality compared to current synchrotron-based methods.

We will present ongoing experiments and future possibilities in health sciences at the European XFEL, as well as a facility and lab tour, providing participants with a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research infrastructure.

Target Group: High-level master students and researchers

In addition to the registration below, applicants are required to fill out the following survey to qualitatively assess their application.

CSSB & EMBL

Recent advancements in nanomedicine, particularly lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), are revolutionising RNA-based therapies, vaccines, and targeted drug delivery. Understanding their structure and properties is crucial for optimising their efficacy and stability. This hands-on workshop, part of the Entrepreneurship meets Health Innovation at Large-Scale Facilities conference, introduces participants to cutting-edge nanoparticle characterisation techniques, introduces participants to cutting-edge nanoparticle characterisation techniques, including light and X-ray-based scattering techniques, electron cryo-microscopy, and bioanalytical methods. Through lectures, practical sessions, and expert discussions, attendees will explore integrative approaches to drug delivery and emerging innovations in the field. Hosted by EMBL  and CSSB Hamburg, this event brings together leading researchers to showcase advanced X-ray technologies, structural biology methods, and interdisciplinary strategies for developing next-generation nanomedicines.

IMPORTANT: Participants are required to complete a two-step safety training: an online module before the course, followed by an on-site session. Failure to complete the online training or adhere to safety guidelines will result in exclusion from the workshop. Pregnant women, as well as individuals undergoing treatment with immunosuppressants, are not allowed to participate, as part of the workshop will take place in biosafety level 2 laboratories.

Target group: PhDs, Post-Docs, Researchers

Please structure your letter of motivation in the registration in the following form and indicate:

• what interests you most about nanomedicine characterisation, and why do you want to participate in this workshop? (Max. 100 words)


• how this workshop aligns with your current research or professional goals? (Max. 100 words)


• if there are any existing collaborations with institutions on your campus, or if you plan to establish any? (Max. 100 words)

PIER & KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AGENCY & HALRIC

Thinking Outside the Academic Box: An Entrepreneurial Perspective on Your Research with Design Thinking

This workshop is designed to empower early-career researchers (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) participating in the EUGLOH conference to explore the entrepreneurial potential of their scientific research through the lens of design thinking. The workshop combines hands-on activities, collaborative learning, insights into research infrastructures in Bahrenfeld where transfer from research to industry is happening, and real-world founder experiences from the Bahrenfeld ecosystem. 

Target group: PhDs, Post-Docs, Researchers

CHyN

Nanopores and Nanomembranes in Health Applications

Lunch-to-lunch talks and workshops with different guest lectureres from EUGLOH universities and beyond.

3. ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS

Application Process

This activity is free of charge and open to EUGLOH partners as well as researchers from other universities or research institutions.

Up to 35 applicants from EUGLOH partners can be funded via a EUGLOH scholarship to partake in this conference and workshop week. Further mobility budget may be available for EUGLOH partners. Researchers are asked to consult with their respective local EUGLOH offices to determine the availability of further EUGLOH scholarships or to apply for an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility, which is also the recommended option for non-EUGLOH partners.

Applicants are required to provide a short CV, a proof of enrollment/affiliation with the university (for researchers: please indicate your position and institutional e-mail in a document for validation purposes only, nothing else), and a letter of motivation, indicating your research in the field, and your fit for the chosen topic/workshop.

Master’s students with a letter of recommendation by a professor active in one of the fields will be given priority over other master’s students in the selection process.

Specific requirements may apply for the respective workshops, and can be found in the description above.

Preferences will be taken into consideration but cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants may only apply for ONE Workshop at the partner institutes, which they are to indicate clearly at the beginning of the letter of motivation.

Applicants are to indicate 2 – no more and no less – preferred options for the simultaneous workshops in the afternoon of 2 June 2025.

If you have any queries, please always feel free to contact the hosting institution via: eugloh@uni-hamburg.de

4. SOCIAL EVENTS

In the evening of 3 June 2025, 18:00 CET, participants will be invited to the Virtual Reality Headquarters at Sandtorkai, Hamburg free of charge with:

• Virtual Reality Experiences


• Dinner and drinks on site


• Short presentation on the innovative potential of VR in relation to health

Participants are required to apply for the event here.

In the evening of 4 June 2025, 18:00 CET, participants will be invited to a Boat Tour, starting at Reederei Bülow, Hohe Brücke 2, free of charge.

Participants are required to apply for the event here.

Open