Burg Wilenstein – iSBio Retreat

The iSBio team spent three days together at Burg Wilenstein in Rhineland-Palatinate. The castle, a 12th-century hilltop castle, partially restored with a conference center, provided a great ambience for intensive exchange and discussion.

Important topics this year were the planning and organization of research and teaching. To this end, the team members presented current research results and gave introductions and updates on laboratory techniques and software usage. In addition, the process of scientific publishing was presented from different perspectives and rounded off with tips for own writing ambitions. At the "Who is who @ iSBio" session, everybody got to know each other apart from the research - it was exciting to find out which goals and interests our 25 team members are moving and under which conditions, for example, our international students and doctoral students grew up.

The first evening in the castle courtyard under the stars was grilled together. As in the past years, Michael was always in control of the embers and the flames and provided a steady stream of delicacies. On the second evening, we held an international cooking event. Selma and Sofija had picked out great recipes from the Balkan region that could be prepared and tasted together. Everything was really delicious - with lots of fresh ingredients and spices. In between, the team explored the great nature of the area on the Dahn Rock Trail. It was quite steep in between - in fact a real rock path - but one was always rewarded with bizarre rock formations and great views. Everyone reached their destination safely.

Freshly strengthened and full of energy and ideas, the team returned to Saarbrücken after a final discussion with further planning and a summary. Now we are looking forward to 2020!

Impressions of the iSBio-Retreat at Burg Wilenstein (May 2019).