Graduate School of Excellence Exzellenz-Graduiertenschule

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1 Jena School for Microbial Communication Graduate School of Excellence Exzellenz-Graduiertenschule

2 Microbial Communication Talking Microbes? Microorganisms are present everywhere. They are often considered to be pathogens, but in fact, most microbes are beneficial or even vital to humans as well as to nature. Only recently was it discovered that microorganisms are able to communicate. They only start multiplying in a habitat if they receive chemical messages from related cells, indicating that the ambient conditions are suitable. They live in close associations with plants, animals or human beings and exchange signals with the cells of these organisms in order to be recognized as friends rather than as intruders. However, there are also harmful microbes that fake these signatures to infiltrate organisms by chemical camouflage. They, too, recognize suitable host cells by means of chemical signals. This results in intricate and elaborate communication processes based on chemical exchange. Microbial Communication in natural habitats has manifold facets, and is therefore often exceedingly complex. Research in this area is regarded as an emerging area and has a major impact on numerous fields, such as drug development, infectious diseases, and soil remediation, to name but a few. Contents Microorganisms Microbial Communication Talking Microbes? 3 Structured Postgraduate Education with 4 the Seal of Approval of the German Excellence Initiative The JSMC Network 6 Interdisciplinary Research within the JSMC Network 8 Attracting Excellent Young Scientists to the JSMC and Jena 10 Contact 11 Microorganisms Higher Organisms Environment 3

3 Structured Postgraduate Education with the Seal of Approval of the German Excellence Initiative The doctoral researchers contribute significantly to strengthening the network of JSMC. Scientists in Jena decided to tackle the task of decoding the languages of microorganisms. The complexity of this undertaking requires the concerted effort of researchers from various scientific disciplines. The Graduate School Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) was founded in order to bring these disciplines together. Within a structured PhD program, doctoral researchers at the JSMC receive an intensive, interdisciplinary education on a broad range of topics centered on Microbial Communication. An extensive network of research institutions and biotech companies located in Jena facilitates a lively exchange of ideas and information between all members of the JSMC. The most important elements of doctoral training at the JSMC are: Inter-disciplinary PhD research projects situated in the tension zone between basic research and industrial application. Promotion of research stays abroad, as well as of participation in international conferences and collaborative projects, to give doctoral researchers early international experience and to improve their networking skills. Comprehensive training in transferable skills, e.g. scientific publication and presentation, acquiring research funding, etc. Close supervision by a team of mentors to ensure that the doctoral researchers achieve the goals of their PhD projects within three years. One of the main tasks of the doctoral researchers at the JSMC is to contribute to strengthening the network of research institutions and companies associated with the Graduate School of Excellence JSMC. With this aim in mind, their research projects are deliberately situated at the interfaces between the usual research disciplines where investigation rarely occurs. In November 2007, the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal Government and the State Governments awarded the JSMC concept substantial funding. 4 5

4 The JSMC Network The Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) was founded in 2006 as an umbrella for three research training groups that already existed in Jena at that time: an International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS), an International Leibniz Research School (ILRS), and a Research Training Group at the Friedrich Schiller University funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The aim of this collaboration was the close integration of the thematically related research training groups as well as of the research institutions involved in their PhD training programs. Scientific and educational resources are shared within this collaboration, greatly enhancing efficiency. The Graduate School uses German Excellence Initiative funding to grant 3-year research fellowships to selected outstanding young scientists from around the world. These JSMC Fellows conduct research at one of the institutions belonging to the JSMC network and pursue a PhD degree. Today, the JSMC has a total of about 200 doctoral researchers. State-of-the-art equipment and lively communication between all of the members are the basis for successful collaborative research at JSMC. Numerous research institutes distributed over five faculties of the Friedrich Schiller University, University Hospital Jena, and several non-university research institutions (e.g. two Max Planck Institutes, a Leibniz Institute and a Fraunhofer Institute) are part of the JSMC. There is a particular emphasis on the involvement of Junior Research Groups in the training program for the doctoral researchers. This includes research groups awarded funding under the DFG s highly competitive Emmy Noether Programme. Close collaborations with twelve partner companies located in Jena allow for constant exchange of knowledge between industry and academia, promoting a rapid transfer of research results into industrial application. The JSMC Doctoral Researchers have access to the extensive and highly collaborative scientific network of the Graduate School 6 7

5 Interdisciplinary Research within the JSMC Network Collaboration between scientists from various disciplines is essential to gain a holistic view of Microbial Communication a prerequisite for understanding the complex natural systems in which microorganisms play an important role. Therefore, biologists, medical scientists, ecologists, earth scientists, and chemists meet under the umbrella of the JSMC to develop new research strategies together. Bioinformaticians use the data produced within the JSMC network for computer simulations. Physicists develop new technologies to visualize microorganisms and their signaling processes. Local companies ensure rapid biotechnological implementation of the results and insights gained. The lively exchange of information between all of these members of the JSMC allows for continuous coordination and a joint interpretation of new findings. Examples of the results of such collaboration include: A better understanding of global element cycles by understanding the underlying microbial processes Targeted utilization of the extraordinary capacities of the microbial metabolism (e.g., microbiological bioremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals) Predicting the effects of human influences on natural systems Knowledge of interactions between microorganisms and higher organisms of agricultural significance (plants and animals) New drugs to fight infectious diseases Insights into the processes involved in microbial infections Innovative diagnostic tools New methods to identify microbial signals Bioinformaticians develop mathematical models and computer simulations of microbial communication Earth Scientists analyze microbial processes responsible for the removal of heavy metals out of contaminated soil Biochemists investigate toxins produced by bacteria that are used by fungi to harm plants Natural Products Chemists identify bioactive molecules produced by microorganisms. Geneticists examine and manipulate genes involved in the reproduction of fungi Medical Scientists study signalling cascades in human cells induced by pathogens Microbiologists decode the signals bacteria and fungi use to communicate Microbial Communication Physical Chemists develop microscopic technologies to visualize metabolic processes of bacteria Ecologists investigate the impact of defence compounds in plants on microorganisms living in the gut of herbivore insects Botanists examine microbial traits that support plant growth Physicists develop analytical tools to manipulate microorganisms and to measure their reactions in the nanometre range Immunologists analyze the chemical signatures of microbial pathogens, by which they are recognized by human immune cells Biotechnologists optimize the production of pharmaceutically relevant substances by microorganisms Many scientists from numerous different disciplines are exploring "Microbial Communication" from diverse points of view. Examples of interdisciplinary research within the JSMC network 8 9

6 Attracting Excellent Young Scientists to the JSMC and Jena JSMC fellowships are advertised in- organized by the doctoral researchers themselves (with ternationally. The best candidates support from the JSMC Office). An outstanding example for each research project offered is the annual International Conference on Microbial are identified by way of a multi- Communication (MiCom), initiated and organized by the stage selection process. These JSMC doctoral researchers ( candidates are then invited to a JSMC recruitment meeting, held Along with the monthly stipend paid to the doctoral re- once or twice a year in Jena. Here they searchers, the JSMC also offers a highly collaborative have the opportunity to present their research experience research environment with state-of-the-art analytical facil- in lectures to the JSMC faculty, talk to the PhD project ities, as well as a challenging, interdisciplinary training pro- supervisors and to JSMC doctoral researchers, visit the gram. Generous research funding is available to the JSMC research institutions, and take a guided tour of Jena. Fellows to carry out their research projects, for participation JSMC recruitment meetings aim to provide a forum for in international conferences, to support industry collabora- the candidates and the members of the JSMC to get to know each other, thus allowing both sides to determine whether the intense 3-years relationship that comes tions as well as for research stays abroad. Towards the end of the doctorate, JSMC Career Orientation Grants provide support to JSMC graduates at the challenging stage Contact JSMC Coordinators with a JSMC fellowship has the potential for success. The JSMC recruitment calls have attracted considerable international attention, with more than 6,000 applications submitted by young scientists from over 100 countries to the JSMC and its research training groups. between earning their PhD and taking up a subsequent position in academia or industry. Finally, an alumni program promotes networking and relationships between JSMC members well beyond the time they spend in Jena. Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) Jenergasse Jena Phone: +49-(0) Fax: +49-(0) Prof. Dr. Axel Brakhage JSMC Coordinator Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology HKI Beutenbergstraße 11a Jena Once they arrive in Jena, it is easy for the new JSMC doctoral researchers to become integrated in the lively JSMC community. Sociocultural care and assistance in clearing bureaucratic hurdles is provided by the JSMC Office. In close collaboration with the Graduate Academy (GA) at the, the JSMC offers sup- Dr. Carsten Thoms JSMC Manager Jenergasse Jena Phone: +49-(0) Fax: +49-(0) Carsten.Thoms@JSMC.info Prof. Dr. Erika Kothe JSMC Deputy Coordinator Institute of Microbiology Neugasse Jena port to students with children. In addition to this, specific opportunities for the advancement of women in science and language courses are available. A corporate identity and lively interchange between the doctoral researchers take high priority at the JSMC and are fostered by numerous scientific and non-scientific events, many of which are The JSMC aims to attract excellent young scientists from all around the world with a challenging, top-level PhD program and a state-of-the-art research environment. Ulrike Schleier JSMC Office Jenergasse Jena Phone: +49-(0) Fax: +49-(0) Ulrike.Schleier@JSMC.info Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Boland JSMC Deputy Coordinator Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Hans-Knöll-Straße Jena 10 11

7 Jena School for Microbial Communication Jenergasse Jena Germany Phone: +49-(0) Fax: +49-(0) JSMC@uni-jena.de Research Funding: