More than 700 participants, vibrant scientific discussions, and a shared vision for the future of respiratory research: from 9 to 11 June 2026, the nationwide network of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) gathered in Wiesbaden for the 14th DZL Annual Meeting.
For the first time, the DZL Annual Meeting was held at the RheinMain CongressCenter (RMCC) in Wiesbaden. With its open, modern architecture and compact layout, the venue provided an ideal setting for in-depth scientific exchange, personal interactions, and the joint development of perspectives for the next funding period. For three days, the Hessian state capital became a hub for Germany’s respiratory research community.
6 Posterprize winners - 5 new scientists – 1 new DZL-Academy Fellow
The Munich site (CPC-M) is especially pleased to congratulate this year’s six poster award winners:
- Helen Charles (Jakwerth Lab, Helmholtz Munich)
- Sirui Chen (Yildirim/Conlon Lab, LHI, Helmholtz Munich)
- Sina Dorn (Kapellos Lab, LHI, Helmholtz Munich)
- Doreen Franke (CPC-M, Data Lung School Board)
- Rizqah Kamies/Anja Michl (PRM, Helmholtz Munich)
Their work reflects the strength and potential of our early-career researchers across the network.
We also warmly welcome five new members to the DZL research community:
- Aicha Jeridi - LinkedIn
- Nicole Maison – LinkedIn
- Christian Grimm - LinkedIn
- Michael Gerckens - LinkedIn
- Ali Ertürk - LinkedIn
Within the DZL Academy, we welcome Elias Primerano (Kapellos Lab) as new Fellow Representative. And we thank Camila Melo-Narvaez (Lehmann Lab) for two years of fantastic, creative work as a DZL Academy Fellow.
A Strong Commitment to Scientific Excellence and Academic Freedom
The festive evening programme opened with the traditional Chairman’s Address by Prof. Dr. Werner Seeger. He reflected on the development of the DZL and highlighted the network’s key achievements in recent years. With more than 1,000 scientific publications annually, over 500 clinical studies involving DZL researchers since 2021, the DZL has established itself as an internationally recognised driver of translational respiratory research. In particular, Seeger emphasised the successful translation of scientific discoveries into clinical application, ranging from first-in-human studies and novel therapeutic concepts to tangible innovations with direct benefits for patients.
He also outlined the strategic evolution of the network. In the future, the DZL will further expand its engagement with outstanding scientists beyond its existing partner sites, thereby strengthening its nationwide connectivity and collaborative reach. Moreover, he highlighted the Centre’s future focus on life-course approaches to prevention (“Deep Prevention”), regenerative strategies to restore lung function, and the further expansion of AI-driven and data-intensive research in the fields of Digital Medicine and Virtual Lung.
A central theme of his address was a strong commitment to academic freedom, scientific integrity, and democracy. He called on the international scientific community to actively defend academic freedom, freedom of expression, and scientific integrity, to counter misinformation and fake news, and to show solidarity with those whose scientific freedom is under threat. He concluded his address with the words: “Science is more than a profession – it is an attitude. An attitude to stand up for integrity, for freedom of science, for democracy.”
DZL Annual Meeting: Shaping the Future of Lung Research Together
The DZL Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity to bring together the entire network in one place. Researchers from all DZL sites, disciplines, and career stages use the meeting to present their latest findings, initiate new collaborations, and strengthen cross-site networking. Above all, however, the Annual Meeting thrives on personal exchange—on encounters that spark new ideas and further reinforce the collaborative spirit that defines the DZL.
Please read a more detailed recap of the Annual Meeting 2026 on the DZL website!