Upcoming Talks and Workshops/Funding Calls
ReALity Synergy Funding Call 2026
ReALity fosters interdisciplinary research excellence across the life sciences at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). Our overarching goal is to understand how complex cellular systems adapt to intrinsic and environmental threats and maintain homeostasis to promote longevity. ReALity’s focus on healthy aging aligns with broad scientific interests and ongoing research at JGU, the University Medical Center, as well as neighboring institutes including IMB, TRON, and LIR.
With a new call for applications, ReALity aims to build on this momentum by supporting focused, collaborative research projects between 2–3 PIs with complementary technical expertise, preliminary data, and an innovative idea in aging research. We particularly encourage proposals that involve junior colleagues at the beginning of their independent careers.
We consider the exploration of mechanistic nodes linking the primary hallmarks of aging with inflammaging and impaired organ-specific or systemic regeneration a priority for life science research in Mainz and foundational to future group-funding initiatives.
Research proposals related to this theme should build on the applicants’ existing data, conceptual advances, and established cutting-edge technologies, including computational approaches in biomedicine. Projects should be developed by small interdisciplinary teams (2–3 PIs) whose complementary expertise spans molecular hallmarks of aging and organ-specific or systemic aging/regeneration processes. We particularly encourage the participation of junior investigators who meet PI criteria for group-funding initiatives. Projects may also request support for retaining or recruiting postdoctoral researchers with an excellent track record and expertise in aging research gained during their PhD training.
Submitted proposals must include a timeline for developing the research into publications and outline how the project will contribute to group-funding initiatives aimed at connecting the primary hallmarks of aging with inflammaging and regeneration.
Timeline:
- New projects will start in the second half of 2026 for a duration until 31 December 2028.
- Complete applications must be received by 28 February 2026 to be considered for review by the ReALity
- Scientific Advisory Board. Applications that pass the first round of selection will be invited for oral presentations at the next ReALity SAB meeting at the end of April where the final selection will take place and detailed budget proposals and milestones must be presented.
For further information, please contact: reality-admin@uni-mainz.de
Past Talks and Workshops
11 February from 14.00 – 15.00h in the IMB seminar room, IMB, JGU Campus
or online
Together with the IQCB, the ReALity Initiative presents a seminar with Jon Alder, University of Pittsburgh. The seminar is hosted by Prof. Dr. Peter Baumann and Prof. Dr. Susann Schweiger-Seemann. He will talk about
“A Natural Therapy for Patients with Short Telomeres”
Abstract: The Alder lab is interested broadly in how telomeres influence human health and disease. The lab uses human genetics to understand unique features of human telomere biology. The lecture will discuss a novel gene therapy approach to treat patients with short telomeres.
Everybody is welcome!
20 November 2025 from 12.00 – 13.00h in the IMB seminar room, IMB, JGU Campus
Together with the IMB, the ReALity Initiative presents a seminar with Adam Antebi, MPI Biology of Ageing, Cologne. He will talk about
“Insights into Resilience and Restoration from Fasting/Refeeding and Diapause”
Everybody is welcome!
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24 November 2025 from 9.00 – 14.30h in Linke Aula, Alte Mensa, JGU Campus
with
a keynote by Vicepresident Prof. Dr. Stefan Müller-Stach
and
Prof. Dr. Jenna Gregory, University of Aberdeen
Prof. Dr. Frank Gunn-Moore, University of St. Andrews
Dr. Philip Hasel, University of Edinburgh
Dr. Rosie Jackson, University of Dundee
Dr. Fiona Kerr, Edinburgh Napier University
and
Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, UMC Mainz
Prof. Dr. Dorothee Dormann, JGU Mainz
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kelsch, UMC Mainz
Dr. Himanshu Mishra, JGU
Prof. Dr. Susann Schweiger-Seemann, UMC Mainz
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12 June 2025 at 11.45h in the seminar room of IMB and Online
Your attendance as a valuable member of the ReALity community is essential!
Thus, we would like to invite you to join us for this conference.
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2 June 2025 from 11.00h – 16.30h in Linke Aula, Alte Mensa, JGU campus
The ReALity Initiative presents its next workshop, titled
Intersystems Communication in
Immunology
Speakers will be:
Dr. Toszka Bohn
Prof. Dr. Tobias Bopp
Prof. Dr. Michael Delacher
Prof. Dr. Carsten Deppermann
Prof. Dr. Daniela Kramer
Prof. Dr. Daniela Krause
Prof. Dr. Michael Kreuter
Prof. Dr. Volker Mailänder
Dr. Katharina Papsdorf
Dr. Sebastian Reuter
Dr. Daniel Sasca
Dr. Sandra Schick
Prof. Dr. Thierry Schmidlin
Prof. Dr. Tim Sparwasser
Prof. Dr. Sara Vieira-Silva
Everybody is welcome!
Please register here for administrative purposes!
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Julia Rietsche, Zymo Research Europe and Thorsten Stehlik, Promega provide insights into exiting research cooperations and personal growth.
Everybody is welcome!
7 November 2024 from 9.00 – 16.00h in Linke Aula, Alte Mensa
Intersystems Communication in Aging
We will welcome distinguished scientists from various universities in Scotland, such as:
Prof. Frank Gunn-Moore, University of St. Andrews
Prof. Colin Palmer, University of Dundee
Prof. Bettina Platt, University of Aberdeen
Prof. Paul Shiels, University of Glasgow
Prof. Jenny Regan, University of Edinburgh
Additionally, distinguished researchers from JGU and UM will talk about their exciting work.
Everybody is welcome. Please register here
