CRC 1644 Retreat 2025

From 10-12 June 2025, members of CRC 1644 gathered for this year’s retreat at Märkisches Gildehaus in Caputh — a valuable opportunity to reflect on scientific progress, strengthen collaboration, and connect as a community.

Day 1: PhD Day and Peer Exchange

The retreat began with a day dedicated to PhD students, focusing on professional development and networking. Following a half-day workshop on time management, the afternoon featured a creative peer session in which participants were randomly paired to learn about each other's projects and present them on flipcharts. This engaging activity encouraged fresh perspectives and cross-topic understanding, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2: Scientific Presentations

On the second day, postdocs and PIs joined the programme for a full schedule of project presentations. Across several sessions, CRC researchers shared updates from subprojects A1–A10, B1–B7, and Z2. Discussions during and between the sessions sparked valuable feedback and new connections. The day ended with time for leisure activities and a relaxed, enjoyable evening programme.

Day 3: Cluster Sessions and Strategic Outlook

The final day featured thematic cluster sessions, in which projects were grouped according to biological processes — such as development and metabolism — and environmental cues like temperature and resource availability. These discussions allowed participants to dive deeper into shared scientific questions and explore synergies. The retreat wrapped up with a summary session, strategic planning, and a members' meeting — followed by a PI meeting.

This year's retreat strengthened collaboration within CRC 1644, fostering connections across disciplines, career stages and research topics.