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Academic Program

„Scientific Challenges in the Global Village"

Today’s world is characterized by major challenges to humans and our natural world, from climate change to the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. While these problems are visible on the global level, it is at the microscopic level that we need to understand them. Participants will receive an introduction to the fields of biology and molecular biology with lectures and hands-on laboratory experience. The biology courses are developed to adapt to the student’s level of experience, including those not necessarily pursuing a degree in the life sciences but with a strong curiosity for interdisciplinary connections.

Modules 2026

While participants start the program in week 1 with a German language class, week 2 consists of two modules on the program's main subject:

 

Module: "Multi-drug resistent bacteria - an emerging global problem"

Instructors: Prof. Dr. Isabelle Bekeredjian-Ding (Medical Department), Dr. Christiane Hoffmann (Medical Department), Dr. Jan Pané-Farré (Chemistry, SYNMIKRO)

  • Seminar Description

    Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are threatening human and animal health alike. For humans, these superbugs make common infections harder to treat, increase risks during surgeries, and lead to longer hospital stays. In livestock, the way animals are housed and managed significantly influences animal health, the need for antibiotics, and the emergence of resistant bacteria. Resistant strains can spread between animals, humans, and the environment, highlighting the urgent need for a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling antimicrobial resistance. While these problems are evident on a global scale, it is at the molecular level that we must understand them, including their significance in both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs), to assess the potential impact of new measures and medicines, and to guide the development of future treatments.
     
    Participants will receive an introduction to the clinical management, preventative measures and the underlying molecular biology of antibiotic origins, mode of action and resistance through lectures and hands-on laboratory experience, including diagnostic approaches to pathogen identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, hygiene quality control, and key molecular techniques used in research labs to study bacterial pathogens and antibiotic biology. The course is designed to adapt to each student’s level of experience, including those not necessarily pursuing a degree in the life sciences but with a strong curiosity for interdisciplinary connections.

  • Learning Objectives

    By the end of the course, you will become familiar with different types of antibiotics, their origins, and how they work in clinical settings. You will gain a deeper understanding of antibiotic resistance, not just as a biological phenomenon, but as a pressing clinical challenge affecting patient health and treatment outcomes. The course also offers insight into role of antibiotics in livestocks and how structural biology reveals the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic action and resistance to supports the development of new strategies in antimicrobial therapy, bridging lab-based research with real-world clinical and agricultural applications.

  • Prerequisites/Module requirements:

    No pre-requisites required. Just bring a lot of curiosity to explore a subject that may be completely new to you.

    Max. number of participants: max. 30

Module: "How microorganisms shape climate – small scales with big impact"

Instructors: Dr. Judith Klatt et al.

  • Seminar Description

    Join us for a two-day introductory course exploring the vital role bacteria play in shaping our global carbon cycle, with a special focus on marine environments. Additionally, you will gain insights into other key microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteriophages, and their ecological importance. The seminar features lectures on cutting-edge methods in environmental microbiology and biogeochemistry. You will also participate in hands-on sessions to measure photosynthesis in algal cultures and environmental samples, and study the impact of bacteriophages.

  • Learning Objectives

    By the end of the course, you will:

    ·         Better understand how climate is influenced by microorganisms

    ·         Learn about the potential role of these tiny organisms in mitigating climate change.

    ·         Appreciate the complexity of microbial interactions in the environment.

    ·         Acquire skills to analyze the roles of microorganisms in both natural settings and laboratory experiments, providing insights into current environmental changes.

  • Prerequisites/Module requierments

    No pre-requisites required. Just bring a lot of curiosity to explore a subject that may be completely new to you.

    Max. number of participants: max. 30

Field Trip

The field trip is an important and exciting part of the program. It counts towards total ECTS credits (see above) while it is  also a great chance to get to know more about Germany. All costs for the trip (travel, entrance fees, guided tours, accommodation if appl.) are included in the program fee (except personal expenses).

Further info on the field trip will be announced soon. 

See further information in the FAQs.