Exploring Science Up Close: Continuing PILOT’s outreach activities across TRR 359 sites

Dec 11, 2025

Building on the success of last year's Science Day outreach event, PILOT continued to foster young people’s engagement with science in 2025. PILOT’s high school visits in 2024 generated strong interest and enthusiastic participation, which laid the foundation for expanding these activities across several TRR 359 sites in 2025.

To celebrate World Science Day on 11 November, the Biomedical Centre (BMC) at LMU Munich welcomed a Year 12 class from Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn to experience a day of experimental biomedical research.

The programme began with opening remarks from Professor Christian Wahl-Schott, Head of the Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology (BMC, LMU), followed by an introduction to immune cell biology and leukocyte research from Roland Immler (TRR 359, B02). After a safety briefing, the students undertook practical laboratory exercises, including examining stained blood smears, distinguishing blood cell types and performing blood group tests. Students also observed demonstrations of more advanced techniques, including live imaging of migrating immune cells, microscopic analysis of cardiomyocytes and visualisation of immune cell dynamics in zebrafish larvae.

The visit concluded with an open discussion with an animal care specialist. This gave students the opportunity to address ethical questions around genetically modified organisms, the role of animal models, and alternative approaches. This direct interaction enabled students to develop a nuanced understanding of the ethical frameworks underlying biomedical research.

The event was organized and led by Roland Immler (Project B02) and Verena Kochan (CoPILOT coordinator), together with their team of colleagues and the CoPILOT doctoral candidates studying at the Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology at the LMU Biomedical Centre.

A similar outreach activity took place at the TRR 359 site in Aachen at the beginning of December. Two doctoral researchers from Project A01, Jonas Pes and Anna-Lena Ullrich, visited a Year 12 biology course at the Städtisches Gymnasium Herzogenrath to discuss their research,their academic journeys and their typical laboratory routines with students. They also explored ethical considerations, particularly with regard to animal experimentation, in depth, which generated lively and meaningful discussions.

Feedback from both events was exceptionally positive. It was evident from the strong engagement of the participating classes that young people have an ongoing interest in understanding the scientific and ethical aspects of biomedical research. In light of this positive response, the PILOT Steering Committee strongly supports PILOT members in organizingsimilar public outreach events and plans to continue and even expand such activities at all TRR 359 sites in the future.