Kick-Off meeting of the German Epigenome Programme DEEP in Saarland

Überherrn, Germany, November 20-21, 2012

On November 20^th and 21^st, the DEEP consortium came together for the first time to officially kick off the project’s activities. The slightly remote historic manor house Linslerhof provided a relaxed atmosphere perfectly suited not only to discuss science, but also to become acquainted with each other.

A cordial welcome given by Manfred Schmitt, Vice-President for Education on behalf of the University of Saarland and the coordinator Prof Dr Jörn Walter marked the start of the two-day meeting. Dr Peter Südbeck from the German Ministry for Research and Education (BMBF) then highlighted important management aspects to be considered in BMBF-funded projects. Subsequently, all partners introduced their scientific work to be conducted within DEEP.
A plenary lecture on heterochromatin formation, held by Prof Dr Thomas Jenuwein from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, closed the official part. Discussions and personal exchange continued however during dinner.

The second day was dedicated to the discussion of project coordination and internal structures. Following the successful election of the steering committee as central decision making body, project partners addressed relevant aspects of DEEP and open questions in small group sessions. The following general discussion helped to shape DEEP’s concerted goals. As a result a roadmap for the next months was developed. Closing the meeting Prof Dr Walter underlined once again the importance of close collaboration for the overall success of the project, and thanked all participants for their valuable and constructive input and their efforts.

The meeting was considered very fruitful by all attendees, who agreed to hold their next meeting in November 2013 at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg.