DGMB

Matrix Lab Repository

Did you discover the Extracellular Matrix Lab Repository that we just launched??? check it out, make your own additions and let us know your thoughts!!! Let's map the ECM world together!!! @amsocmatbio.bsky.social @matrixbiologie.bsky.social @mbsanz.bsky.social docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Our DCs have created graphical abstracts of their projects. We will share them here, on LinkedIn and on our website. Our first abstract is by Wendy Pérez Franco, investigating age related extra-skeletal complications in OI. Drop Wendy a message if you'd like to know more!

#MSCA #OI #raredisease

Looking for a PhD ? Don’t miss ⬇️
12 PhDs available in the REMOD-HEALING European doctoral network, funded by Horizon Europe's MCSA-DN program, in Europe and Costa Rica !
www.euraxess.fr/jobs/375945
@themeshwork.bsky.social @matrixbiologie.bsky.social
#ECM #collagen #WoundHealing
#proteases

@dsmb-dk.bsky.social @amsocmatbio.bsky.social @mcrcellmatrix.bsky.social @themeshwork.bsky.social @mbsanz.bsky.social @matrisome.bsky.social

The annual meeting of the German Society for Matrix Biology will be held in Heidelberg, 15th - 17th of April, 2026. The flyer shows the "Alte Brücke" in Heidelberg Old Town. Confirmed speakers are: Stefan Hell, Molly Stevens (online), Mats Paulsson, Viola Vogel, Leonhard Möckl, Florence Ruggiero, Tristan März, Sabine Eming, David Wilkinson, Christine Chuang, Oscar Staufer, Frauke Gräter, Markus Krüger and Veronique Orian-Rousseau.

While we update our website regarding #DGMB2026, you can find a list of confirmed speakers here! 👇 We are so happy to have them and already look forward to lots of exciting science!
#ECRs, we'll have a pre-meeting together with the #EU-CHANGE network - more info coming soon! #ECM #MatrixBiology

There’s still some time left to submit your abstracts! 👇👇👇

Abstract deadline extended to 15th August!

#Heparansulfate aficionados should mark their calendars! 😍 Another #matrixbiology meeting you don‘t want to miss!
#ECRs, you can apply for a travel grant to attend 👇
www.matrixbiologie.de/travel-grant...

Young Investigator Spotlight Sven Schmidt. My scientific drive stems from a deep curiosity about the unknown, and a strong belief that creativity and collaboration are essential to exploring it. I hold a Bachelor’s/Master's degree in Biomedicine from the Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, where I gained hands-on experience in developing, maintaining, and perfusing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived organoids. In the group of Prof. Ruohola-Baker (University of Washington, Seattle, USA), I worked at the intersection of hiPSC biology, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and in silico-designed proteins provided by Prof. David Baker. Starting my PhD (2022) in the lab of PD Dr. Diederichs at Heidelberg University Hospital, I have finally found my passion for hiPSC- and mesenchymal stromal cell-based cartilage regeneration. Scientific facts about Sven: Favorite tissue/cell: Induced pluripotent stem cells. Favorite ECM protein: Type X collagen (tempestuous relationship). Most evil method in lab: Western blotting. Best methodological skills: Click chemistry. Favorite smell in lab: A freshly cleaned cell culture incubator. Personal facts about Sven: Secret superpower: Always picking the slowest checkout lane. Bad habit: Working long hours. Favorite Disney film: NOT Disney’s Star Wars movies :) Most embarrassing/or all-time celebrity crush: Rick Sanchez. How do you recharge after a busy day in the lab? Sports, literature, food, quality sleep.

Time for another #YoungInvestigatorSpotlight, before we all head into the weekend to enjoy [or escape] the sunshine! Meet doctoral researcher Sven Schmidt @nefiew.bsky.social. His publication www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
reveals chondroprotective effects of PGE2 during MSC chondrogenesis.

We still have some TRAVEL GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR OUR EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS to attend this excellent meeting! APPLY NOW! 👇
www.matrixbiologie.de/travel-grant...

I am an Egyptian postdoctoral researcher currently working at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, where I work on 3D organoid models for studying sebaceous gland biology. I earned my PhD in Molecular and Cancer Biology from the University of Münster, focusing on the role of syndican-1 in breast cancer radiation resistance. My research journey spans from my early work as an Assistant Lecturer at Cairo University to my current position in Cologne. I have significant contributions to cancer biology, biomaterials research and tissue engineering, with +15 peer-reviewed publications. My work has been recognised with prestigious awards including the German Menopause Society Award, German Breast Cancer Society Award, and FEBS Young Scientist Award. Currently, I am advancing the field of regenerative medicine through my work on organoid models and serve as a supervisory board member for the BIOMEND Doctoral Network, shaping the future of endoluminal devices. Favourite cell: Keratinocytes. They're like the ultimate multitaskers of the skin world, and surprisingly cooperative in 3D organoid cultures! Favourite ECM protein: Syndecan-1 (obviously!). It's been my research companion for years. Most evil method: Western blotting. Best method skills: Real-time PCR and FACS. Favorite lab smell: Fresh cell culture medium. It smells like possibilities and new discoveries. Secret superpower: Turning complex scientific concepts into simple explanations even my non-scientist friends can understand. Bad habit: Checking my cell cultures on weekends "just for a quick look" and ending up spending 3 hrs optimising protocols. Favourite ice cream flavour: Pistachio - it reminds me of home in Egypt. How do you recharge after a busy day in the lab: I love cooking traditional Egyptian dishes while listening to podcasts about the latest scientific discoveries. There's something therapeutic about creating something delicious with your hands after a day of pipetting and data analysis.

Time to meet another talented #ECR of our society in our #YoungInvestigatorSpotlight series 🥁
You can find @nourhan-hassan.bsky.social 's recent publication on injectable hydrogels that combine cancer therapy with tissue regeneration for osteosarcoma treatment here: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

🌈 Happy Pride Month!
In our June newsletter, we celebrate LGBTQ+ voices / communities in STEM, spotlight the @matrixbiologie.bsky.social young investigator winner @kristinabubb.bsky.social and share new ECM research + upcoming events. The ECM is never just a scaffold—it’s a story. 🧬
📖 Read now:

SAVE THE DATE: 15.-17. April 2026. Annual meeting of the German Society for Matrix Biology. Scientific committee: PD Dr. Solvig Diederichs, Dr. Helen Dietmar, Prof. Dr. Anja Niehoff, Dr. Paolo Alberton, Dr. Muzamil Khan.

📣SAVE THE DATE!

#DGMB2026 will be held 15th-17th April 2026 in beautiful Heidelberg! More details to follow soon!

We will also have a satellite meeting for #EarlyCareerResearchers before the main meeting, giving you a chance to meet other #ECRs and make new conference-friends! #matrixbiology

📢 You still have time to (write and) submit your abstract for a chance to present at this fantastic meeting! 😍 Deadline 27th June! #matrixbiology

#YoungInvestigatorSpotlight #matrixbiology

#YoungInvestigatorSpotlight #matrixbiology

Young Investigator Spotlight of the German Society for Matrix Biology: Dr. Leonie Ruths. After my studies in Biochemistry, I joined in 2020 the Division for Biochemistry of Joint and Connective Tissue Diseases (Ulm University) for my PhD studies. I focused on the involvement of the complement system in posttraumatic osteoarthritis and I was particularly interested in the role of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a in matrix mineralization and cartilage degeneration. Of further interest was the induction of cellular senescence in chondrocytes due to complement activation. Since my defense in the beginning of 2025, I continued my studies on posttraumatic osteoarthritis in Ulm. Scientific facts about Leonie Ruths: Favorite tissue/ cell: cartilage and primary chondrocytes. Favorite ECM protein: collagen type X. Most evil method in lab: western blot. Best methodological skills: fluorescence microscopy. Favorite smell in lab: xylene. Personal facts about Leonie Ruths: Secret superpower: good sense of direction. Bad habit: sometimes I am a bit of a control freak. Favorite Disney film: WALL·E. Most embarrassing/ or all-time celebrity crush: Eddie Redmayne. How do you recharge after a busy day in the lab? bouldering with friends.

Happy Monday! We're starting the week with another #YoungInvestigatorSpotlight - this time it's Leonie Ruths' profile & publication, which you can find here: www.oarsijournal.com/article/S106....

Well done to all the participants of this year's Young Investigator Award session! #matrixbiology

Abstract submission and registration for the 13th International Proteoglycan Meeting & the Annual Scientific Meeting of MBSANZ are now open!

📅Abstract deadline - 30/5/25

📅Early Bird deadline - 31/7/25

Register now to secure your spot!

👉 mbsanz2025.smalltalkevents.com.au

#Proteoglycans #ECM

New week, new young investigator spotlight! This week it’s Dr. Jessica Sousa Onyeisi - find her recent publication on Syndecan-4 in breast cancer here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Don’t miss this!! Sign up - it’s FREE - now 👇👇👇

📣Attention PhD students and post-docs! Attending the collagen GRC this year? Our society offers a limited number of travel grants for early career researchers: www.matrixbiologie.de/travel-grant...

and don't forget to apply to the collagen GRC by June 8th! www.grc.org/collagen-con...

Young Investigator Spotlight of the German Society for Matrix Biology: Dr. Kristina Bubb. Hi, I'm Kristina! I'm a pharmacist by training and currently a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institute (Sweden). My scientific journey began during my PhD in Cologne and has taken me from cartilage biology to the fascinating world of mitochondria and aging—uncovering how impaired mitochondria can drive premature skeletal and cartilage aging. At Karolinska, I’m continuing this path with a broader perspective. I use genetically modified mouse models to investigate how mitochondrial dysfunction affects tissue homeostasis and the extracellular matrix. My research combines molecular biology, omics technologies, and histological techniques to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and tissue degeneration. Scientific facts about Kristina: Favorite tissue/ cell: Chondrocytes – survivors and underrated! Favorite ECM protein: Thrombospondins. Most evil method in lab: Genotyping - consumes half my life (still waiting for a robot to take over). Best methodological skills: Westernblot. Favorite smell in lab: None! But I really can’t stand the smell of β-mercaptoethanol. Personal facts about Kristina: Secret superpower: Creativity. Bad habit: I don’t give up, even when I probably should. Favorite Disney film: Finding Nemo. Most embarrassing/ or all-time celebrity crush: Nico Santos (don't judge!). How do you recharge after a busy day in the lab? Sports – dancing it away with a little Rock’n’Roll.

Let's start this week with a spotlight on @kristinabubb.bsky.social, this year's winner of our society's Young Investigator Award. You can find her recent publication on mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal ageing here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

March newsletter is coming soon. Until then...Reminder that we're always on the lookout for people to join our team & of course we're here to help spread good news, publications, positions or just help you answer questions. It's free! Just DM or email us at themeshwork2020@gmail.com

Thank you for your hard work!! It was a brilliant meeting and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! 😊

And of course, a massive “Thank you!” and “Well done!!” to the local organising committee, who have worked with the societies & friends from the nordic countries and belgium to make this a brilliant meeting! 🇧🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪🇩🇰@ccstorytime.bsky.social @valerioizzi.bsky.social @nystromlab.bsky.social

A big THANK YOU to the local team who have worked very hard for this conference to run smoothly, you did a FANTASTIC job. @nystromlab.bsky.social

Congratulations to our poster prize winners, Xinyi Bao (Freiburg) and Fady Marcous (Cologne) and to Stefanie Schmid-Herbstritt (Freiburg) who won the prize by the AJP cell physiology! @nystromlab.bsky.social

Congratulations to this year’s winner of the Young Investigator Award: Kristina Bubb from Cologne! @nystromlab.bsky.social

We hope everyone is as excited as we are for this morning‘s YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD session 🎉 #MatrixNexus @themeshwork.bsky.social @nystromlab.bsky.social

Representing #TheMeshwork at the #matrixnexus conference in Freiburg!!! Thanks to the organisers for the support!!! Growing together!!! @matrixbiologie.bsky.social