Project Details
Projekt
Coordination Funds
Applicant
Professor Dr. Lorenz C. Hofbauer
Subject Area
Hematology, Oncology
Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
Term
since 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 401077825
Interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific exchange, integration of early career scientists, and clinical translation were key components for success of the SPP2084. Active communication turned out to be essential for effective networking. This required regular face-to-face meetings at annual retreats, symposia, and workshops as well as everyday communication in webinars and virtual or phone conferences. A modern webpage (www.microbone.de) and a proactive coordinator fostered communication and the networking process. Moreover, our vision and concepts of the µBONE consortium have been published by six PIs in Nature Reviews of Clinical Oncology and several peer-reviewed journals. Of note, several µBONE scientists were promoted to permanent W2/W3 professorships and received prestigious awards as well as ERC grants. This strategy has worked out very well for the first funding period. Therefore, we intend to further promote active communication to ensure an effective networking process between the individual groups and sites within the µBONE consortium. For that purpose, we plan different face-to-face meetings, if possible, and will concurrently strengthen video-assisted communication, too. We will establish professional workshops and training courses to share the expertise in focused areas and plan two smaller workshops and one project academy per year with 10-20 participants from the consortium, including external speakers where applicable. Lab rotations will help to share key technologies in animal models and imaging techniques. In addition, we will promote PhD students by offering expert classes on scientific topics and soft skills and by employing thesis advisory committees. To maximize synergism between basic and translational research, we apply for clinician-scientist positions allocated to individual projects based on documented excellence and track record. To make this consortium attractive for female scientists, we intend to offer specific mentoring programs, a “Flying nanny” childcare service, and flexible bridge funding. Moreover, to sharpen the own cultural perception of each participant and to develop a broader understanding of different perspectives and cultures that may affect science and professional life, we will offer a diversity workshop on intercultural competences. To disseminate our results in addition to scientific publication we will work together with our PR department and plan to produce podcasts and media interviews as well as press releases. These central measures serve the entire consortium and should help to ensure efficient and productive working conditions for all involved scientists.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
