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SPP 2389:  Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Subject Area Medicine
Biology
Term since 2022
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 461035046
 
The Priority Program SPP2389 aims at establishing the concept of bacteria as multicellular microorganisms that live at least transiently stable and highly organized in tissue-like populations that exhibit properties and physiological features surpassing those of the single cell. This priority program represents an unprecedented effort based on a high-level German network that has established itself as an internationally competitive pioneer in this research field. Crucial to the success of this SPP during its initial funding period was the tight coordination of a close-knit and highly interactive group of multidisciplinary professionals sharing a passion for the concept of bacterial multicellularity. Effective management of and communication between the cooperating research groups allowed for required technological expertise to be shared, concepts to be compared and discussed through organismic diversity, and knowledge and advances to be openly exchanged under the umbrella of one common platform. 30 groups of leading researchers with came together and parallelly focused on either the Form or the emergent Function using their respective varying specialties to propel the field of bacterial multicellularity forward. The coordination of this network on both a national and international level was made possible through the appointment of a managing coordinator tasked with organizational, communicative, and administrative duties including facilitating communication between the groups, booking meeting and conference venues, organizing workshops, events, and event speakers, managing budget matters, maintaining digital tools and platforms, and handling funding applications. Through this, the SPP was able to organize opportunities to further career qualifications for the diverse interest groups represented within the program: (i) PhD students, (ii) junior research group leaders and early-career scientists, (iii) parents of young children, and (iv) female scientists. The intellectual exchange fostered between the groups ultimately culminated in the organization of the first international conference on bacterial multicellularity in January 2025. These and other coordinated endeavours would not have been possible without the leadership and support provided by the managing coordinator. This proposal describes the corresponding measures and materials required to continue managing this international and interdisciplinary program, of which the continued funding of the managing coordinator is essential. In addition to these measures, sustained support of the four interest groups from within this network will benefit from the experience gained during the first funding period. The strategies presented in this proposal focus on the specific needs of the defined groups and their successful implementation in the program through the managing coordinator.
DFG Programme Priority Programmes
International Connection Israel, Netherlands, Switzerland

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