The Kick Off (1st) meeting for NIBB-COS Heidelberg International Collaborations was held on March 30, 2021. We had planned to hold an NIBB-COS Joint Workshop in Okazaki in 2020, but this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we came up with the idea of conducting online exchange programs between our two institutes. These programs consist of two events: a lecture series at which researchers from both institutes present their research project, and a social event for all members in attendance. The theme of the lecture series was “Plant Root Development” at the kick off meeting, and saw Dr. Takashi Soyano from the Division of Symbiotic Systems and Dr. Alexis Maizel from COS Heidelberg give presentations on rhizogenesis and lateral root formation, respectively. Fifty-eight members from NIBB and 32 members from COS (both totals include post-docs and students) participated in this event, and lively discussions took place.
At the social event, we used the Remo online meeting platform, and seven research themes were established (New Model Organisms, Stem Cells/Regeneration, Development, Cell Biology/Signaling, Neurobiology, Bioimaging, Modeling and Quantitative Biology) for the PIs from both sides to talk about with each other. To our delight, this event appeared to generate new research ideas and possibilities for collaborative research.
When preparing and administering this meeting, there were some difficulties that we encountered such as the time difference between Japan and Germany and the existence of daylight savings time that are inherent to organizing international events, as well as the selection of an online meeting platform from among the multiple platforms available. The overall feedback was very positive, so we are planning to hold multiple meetings in 2021 featuring the same contents contained in the lecture series and social events. However, the theme of the lecture series will be changed on each occasion, and we would like to expand the range of members who participate in the social events.
Kiyoshi Tatematsu (Research Enhancement Strategy Office)
