Wolfgang Hillen Summer School 2025/26

9. – 15. Nov. 2025 – University of California San Diego (UCSD)
26. Jul – 01. Aug. 2026 – Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)

The Summer School "The gut-brain axis – emerging challenges for neurodegeneration and inflammation" is a joint initiative of Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and the University of California San Diego (UCSD). It focuses on the fascinating and highly relevant research field of the gut-brain axis, which is gaining increasing significance.

In this interdisciplinary program, we will explore the complex interactions between the nervous system and the immune system along the gut-brain axis, which could play a central role in neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Particularly exciting is how inflammatory processes in the gut can modulate neurological disorders—a topic that provides new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of such diseases. This cutting-edge research field is also being intensively investigated by our new Clinical Research Group KFO5024 in Erlangen, which is dedicated to this very topic.

Eight doctoral students and early-career researchers from FAU and UCSD will participate in the Summer School. They will attend courses, conduct laboratory work, and discuss their research findings in workshops. They will engage intensively with innovative methods such as disease modeling, genomics, molecular biology approaches, artificial intelligence, and stem cell research. Leading experts from both institutions will share their knowledge. The opportunity to Interact with core units and innovative biotechnology start-ups and partners will offer practical insights. In addition to scientific training, networking and the preparation of future collaborations will be central.

We look forward to fostering the next generation of scientists together with our international partners and sincerely thank BaCaTec for their generous support of this pioneering project.