The inaugural ZooCELL kick-off meeting convened in the scenic setting of Ischia, Italy, from April 12th to 14th, 2024. This in-person gathering brought together ZooCELL’s Principal Investigators for a series of engaging sessions and discussions.

The meeting started with a training session led by Martina Peskoller-Fuchs, focused on fostering constructive and healthy interactions with PhD candidates. The program also included updates on the project’s implementation status, highlighting milestones, deliverables, and recruitment progress.

Detlev Arendt, the project coordinator, was in charge of giving a scientific introduction to the project and outlining ZooCELL’s objectives and work packages. PIs then presented their laboratories and planned network projects, setting the stage for collaborative research endeavors. The meeting concluded with fruitful discussions on event planning, laying the groundwork for future practical courses and graduate schools.

The kickoff meeting marked a significant milestone in the ZooCELL project. Stay tuned for updates as the project advances towards its goals.