New Frontiers in Science

For 10 years now at the Administrative Headquarters of the Max Planck Society I have been overseeing the International Max Planck Research Schools eventprogrammme designed jointly by the MPS together with the German University Rectors Conference. Thus far, almost 60 Research Schools have been established: more than 2200 doctoral students are currently working on their doctorates at an IMPRS. The majority of the IMPRS are interdisciplinary, dealing on the one hand with very specific issues, while on the other hand addressing issues of a fundamental nature. The same may be said of the "New Frontiers in Science" symposium which is taking place for the 3rd time in the Munich area, organised by PhD students from Martinsried, Munich and Garching. Once again this year, the agenda for the symposium features some important scientific questions, both of future relevance and with a connection to the past, as well as with reference to the great role models of science: a wonderful opportunity for junior researchers to exchange ideas with successful senior scientists and even Nobel Prize winners!

President Gruss addressed the PhDNet of the MPS, saying: "Particularly in the natural sciences, teamwork is the secret to success…It is important to work in a congenial atmosphere; … creative centres are needed where a sufficient number of brilliant scientists can mingle and motivate one another." This symposium organised by doctoral students takes us precisely in this direction!

I wish the organisers of the symposium every success, and I hope that all those attending will enjoy many fruitful discussions and encounters!

Nicola von Hammerstein,
Central Coordinator of the International Max-Planck-Research Schools
at Max Planck Society Administrative Headquarters

New Frontiers in Science

Interdisciplinarity promotes the overlap of professionals with largely different languages, backgrounds, training, and expertise to solve problems whose solution lies outside a single discipline. To ensure productive and stimulating interactions across disciplines it is essential that people meet, interact and learn the language and school of thinking of the "other" discipline.
The international Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) in Munich are organizing a two-day interdisciplinary symposium. The first day focuses on the relation between "Art and Science". The second day aims to present the state-of-the-art research in physics, chemistry, biotechnology and medicine, as well as the responsibility of scientists towards society and environment for a sustainable future.

"It is a pleasure for me that my Dr. Father and Teacher, Prof. Herbert Walther, is being honoured by the lectures series "New Frontiers in Science." He was an outstanding scientist and a very successful researcher. His students continue his work throughout the world. The symposium wants to foster communication, networking and scientific information exchange between representatives from different faculties and life areas. This is of great importance, due to the increasing interdisciplinary character of research. I wish all the participants not only success, but also enjoyment in the fascinating scientific knowledge that will be presented in the lectures series".
Wolfgang Ketterle

"The earliest bio-macromolecules on the young earth must have been self-replicative and enzymatically competent. In the modern world only RNA has these properties and is therefore believed to mark the origin of live. With the advent of DNA and proteins two players appeared during evolution which are much superior in one of these activities but incapable of the other. DNA is a perfect self-replicating molecule and proteins are excellent catalysts, respectively. Self-replication appears to be a relatively simple chemical process while catalysis is often extremely complex. It is not surprising therefore that biochemical research focuses on proteins with surprising discoveries made with any system and any time. I hope that proteins and their fascinating structures and properties will play an important role in the discussions during the Symposium of the stipends of the International Max-Planck Research Schools in Munich and catalyse the exchange of ideas of students from different disciplines. The input from fresh minds is essential here as in any other field of research".
Robert Huber