@ebmresearch
Official account of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC 1540) Exploring Brain 🧠 Mechanics funded by @dfgpublic.bsky.social @fau.de Charité Berlin Universität Bonn MPI Light Homepage: https://www.crc1540-ebm.research.fau.eu/
How do growing neurons find their way through the brain’s soft tissue?
In project C05, we explore how axons sense and generate forces in brain-like 3-D matrices.
Video by: Lars Bischof
The seminar offered exciting scientific insights and sparked lively discussions across projects.
Pictures by: Yashasavi Verma
Jan Hinrichsen (A01) shared progress in in silico modelling of cortical malformations, demonstrating how cell density relates to tissue stiffness in different pathological contexts and how computational models may predict developmental malformations.
On January 23, 2026, EBM (post-)doctoral researchers came together for a doctoral seminar sharing latest research results from the CRC.
Konstantin Hein (A07) presented his work on Lamin B1, highlighting its key role in stress-induced mechanical changes and tissue architecture.
Organ music by Bach, Pärt, Glass, and Gubaidulina meets scientific insights and fascinating brain visualizations.
An inspiring dialogue between music, science, and art - come join us for an unforgettable journey into the brain!
More information at speinshart.ai/de/pulse/e/t...
🧠🎶 "Das Gehirn - Musikalische Erkundungen!"
Following the great success of our 2024 event in Erlangen, EBM invites you on March 6, 2026 (7:00 p.m.) to a unique multimedia event at the Monastery Church Maria Immaculata in Speinshart.
Images by: Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf
The evening was full of good vibes: delicious snacks and drinks, cozy lighting, and a carefully curated playlist by our very own DJ Alex Greiner. Our youngest EBM members had a blast too, keeping busy and entertained throughout the night.
A perfect way to kick off the exciting year ahead!
After an inspiring "Storytelling & Science" workshop, the EBM community came together for their Annual New Year Celebration! 🎉
Attendees even created their own short scientific stories, sparking curiosity and discussion in a fun, hands-on way. The workshop was inspiring, highly engaging, and full of ideas for communicating science effectively!
Images by: Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf
Over three hours, participants learned how to make science informative, engaging, and memorable.
• Vonnegut’s Shapes of Stories — mapping the rise and fall of fortune to design compelling narratives.
• Chekhov’s Gun — ensuring every detail introduced plays a meaningful role later in the story.
✨ Impressions from our “Storytelling & Science” Workshop! ✨
On Jan 23, EBM members had the pleasure of attending a special workshop with Renaud Pourpre (The Lonely Pipette), who joined us all the way from Oxford.
In cooperation with project X03, we investigated their cellular behavior in different matrices.
Cellular differentiation in brain tissue-mimicking matrices: C04 aims at using cell types with the same embryonic origin but distinct differentiation than brain cells, melanocytes and melanoma cells, to analyze the role of mechanics on cellular differentiation and de-differentiation.
On Nov 25, EBM PhD students got a peek into MRE research!
Guillaume Flé talked about how MRI sampling techniques impact MRE accuracy and speed. Michael Fedders shared insights on phase unwrapping for MRE data.
A great seminar full of discussion and inspiration!
With a short introduction by Lucas Hoffmann and Friedrich Paulsen — plus gingerbread and mulled wine — the group moved on to hands-on work in the histology lab, identifying CNS regions, stains, and cell types
Thanks to the organizers for this interesting workshop!
At the EBM Harmonization Workshop on Dec 17, participants explored how to read histological sections of the human CNS.
✨Happy New Year from the EBM community! ✨
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
In project C02, cortical neurons are infected with a virus expressing green fluorescent protein and grown on hydrogels with different mechanical properties. The morphology of dendritic spines is then quantified to monitor the effect of mechanics on neuronal plasticity.
Joint lab shadowing at FAU’s Institute of Continuum Mechanics and Biomechanics 🔬
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
Want to stay updated on future talks? Sign up for our mailing list for regular invitations and Zoom links: lists.fau.de/cgi-bin/list... (unsubscribe anytime)
We are pleased to invite you to the next EBM Virtual Brain Talk with our PI Prof. Ingmar Blümcke (UK Erlangen, Department of Neuropathology, Germany), who will present insights into clinico-pathological and genetic classification of cortical dysplasia in the human brain.
EBM Virtual Brain Talk - Prof. Ingmar Blümcke
📅 08.12.2025
⏰ 4:00 PM (CEST)
💻 Online via Zoom
📩 To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at andrea.dakkouri@fau.de.
His talk highlighted EBM's multiscale approach - linking cellular, tissue-level, and organ-scale mechanics to better understand brain structure and function. We are pleased that EBM's work was showcased on this international stage and thank Prof. Steinmann for his excellent contribution!
🧠 EBM spokesperson Prof. Paul Steinmann represented CRC 1540 EBM at MECOM 2025 in Buenos Aires (11-14 November), where he delivered a main lecture titled: "From the Cellular via the Tissue to the Organ Level. A Journey Exploring Brain Mechanics".
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this inspiring and productive meeting!
Full report @ www.crc1540-ebm.research.fau.eu/2025/10/21/3...
Pictures by: Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf
🧠 The EBM community gathered in Muggendorf for our 2025 Annual Retreat - two days of scientific exchange, collaboration, and new ideas.
Researchers and PIs shared progress, explored future directions, and strengthened connections across projects.
Read the full report on our website - www.crc1540-ebm.research.fau.eu/2025/10/14/h...
The workshop covered rheological fundamentals like storage and loss moduli, as well as classical material models such as Kelvin-Voigt and Maxwell.
Thanks to Paul Steinmann and all attendees for making it informative and interactive!
