Looking back on an eventful year

As 2021 comes to an end, the NCCR Microbiomes looks back on a memorable year, packed with events and experiences. Besides celebrating our first birthday, we have seen our community grow to more than 100 members, including three new group leaders. It has of course been a year of firsts: we underwent our first review by the Swiss National Science Foundation, enjoyed finally getting together live at our first retreat, organised our first trainings and workshops, and took our first steps in reaching out to the general public.

Launching a research network in the midst of a pandemic is evidently a great challenge. More than once, we were forced to cancel events, postpone trainings or move meetings online. But on the other hand, holding most meetings and all seminars online increased the opportunities to participate and interact. This has possibly enabled even more collaborations between groups working in different locations, and we have been thrilled to see several of those cooperations turn into lab exchanges in the past few months.

Throughout the past year we established collaborations with several other NCCRs and microbiome initiatives worldwide, which have already led to concrete plans and activities that we are very excited about. Eight international speakers were the guests of our successful seminar series, open to all. And our collaboration with the Swiss National Science Foundation and with our home institutions has deepened and strengthened.

After all this hard work, we wish you all a happy and restful holiday season and all the best in the New Year!