DeepDyn Workshop in Bayreuth

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Review: Interdisciplinary Magnetomicrobiology Spring School 2026 at the University of Bayreuth

From April 9 to 10, 2026, early-career researchers from the DFG Priority Program 2404 DeepDyn, external researchers, as well as teachers and students gathered at the University of Bayreuth for the Magnetomicrobiology Spring School. Led by Daniel Pfeiffer, the event provided a platform to explore the complex relationships between microbial motility and geomagnetic fields.

Experts present latest research highlights

The lecture program bridged the gap between microbiology and geosciences. The speakers, all active researchers within the DeepDyn network, provided vital momentum for the current scientific debate:

• Dirk Schüler: How magnetotactic bacteria make and arrange their magnetosomes – This lecture analyzed the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria biomineralize magnetic nanocrystals and organize them into chains.
• Daniel Pfeiffer: Mechanisms of Magnetic Navigation in Bacteria – This contribution explained the biophysical foundations of magneto-aerotaxis and how cells translate sensory stimuli into directed movement.
• Bill Orsi: Magnetotaxis in microbial eukaryotes – This session focused on the discovery and ecological significance of nucleated single-celled organisms that also exhibit magnetic orientation.
• Stuart Gilder: Biological role of the magnetic field record in sediments – The talk highlighted how magnetotactic bacteria contribute to the permanent storage of the Earth's magnetic field as magnetofossils after they die.
• Michael Winklhofer: Magnetic orientation in animals and underlying magnetoreception mechanisms – This excursion into zoology compared bacterial navigation systems with the complex sensory organs of animals such as migratory birds or insects.
• Monika Korte: Geomagnetic field secular variation and potential impacts of extreme changes – The presentation discussed the dynamics of the Earth's magnetic field over long periods and the potential consequences of pole reversals for biological systems.

Lab Sessions: From Environmental Samples to Automated Tracking

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Participants frequently left the lecture hall to translate theoretical concepts directly into practice:

• Field Exploration: The group collected sediment samples from ponds across the University of Bayreuth campus. Back in the laboratory, they enriched the microorganisms and observed the responses of magnetotactic bacteria using light microscopy.
• Mutant Analysis: The researchers characterized various strains of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. In doing so, they specifically identified defects in magnetic orientation and flagellar motility.
• Precision Measurement: A methodological focus was placed on single-cell tracking. Using automated systems, participants tracked the swimming paths of individual cells, documenting impressive "U-turns" by environmental isolates in response to magnetic field reversals.

Synergies and research networking

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The accompanying poster session and project presentations provided ample space for intensive networking within the SPP 2404. Lively communication during the evening networking dinner created new synergies among the Spring School participants.

The organizers’ conclusion is overwhelmingly positive: the workshop covered the entire research process—from sampling in the mud to high-level laboratory analysis. We thank all participants for the inspiring scientific exchange.

Perspectives on the workshop

"I really enjoyed the workshop; it was a lot of fun." (Participating doctoral student)

"I was able to gather many ideas and research directions for my W-Seminar thesis." (Participating high school student)