Invitation - CMMC Symposium 2026

Dear Colleagues - Dear Students - Dear Friends

We are delighted to announce the CMMC Symposium 2026 in Molecular Medicine – Metabolic Control of Tissue Regeneration and Degeneration, taking place September 28–30, 2026, at the Medical Campus of the University of Cologne, Germany, integrating the 38th Ernst Klenk Symposium, a long-standing forum for excellence in molecular medicine. The meeting is open to all and free of charge; free registration is required.

Recent advances in molecular medicine have highlighted the central role of the metabolism of different macromolecules in regulating tissue regeneration and degeneration. In this context, metabolic programs and metabolites function not only as energy and substrate suppliers, but also as regulatory elements that determine e.g., cell proliferation, differentiation, reprogramming and immune responses. Understanding the mechanistic relationship between these regenerative cell functions and metabolic programs is key to addressing major challenges in human health and disease.

The meeting aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange between basic and clinical research, bringing together scientists from molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, metabolism research, immunology, stem cell biology, and clinical medicine. We warmly welcome early-career researchers, junior group leaders, and students, and encourage their active participation. The symposium provides an excellent platform to present research, exchange ideas, and build scientific networks.

We are honored to welcome the following external scientific organizers and keynote speakers:

With their input and support, we have developed an outstanding program bringing together leading experts in the field, who will present and discuss the latest advances in the following sessions with confirmed speakers:

The program will be complemented by poster sessions, a BioTech exhibition, and social events, providing additional opportunities for exchange and networking. 

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Cologne.

Sincerley yours

The Cologne Scientific Organizers
Sabine Eming1,4  -  Guenter Schwarz2,4  -  Jens Brüning3,4  
1Dept. of Dermatology, University Hospital Cologne - 2Inst. of Biochemistry, University of Cologne - 3MPI for Metabolism Research - 4Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne 

The Speakers are listed in alphabetical order.
 

Aztekin, Can - PhD

The Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society - Tübingen, DE
https://www.fml.tuebingen.mpg.de/64407/aztekin-lab 

Speaker: Session 3  -  Redox Metabolism and Regeneration

Banerjee, Ruma - PhD, Prof

Dept. of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor - Michigan, US
https://medresearch.umich.edu/profile/1340/ruma-banerjee

Speaker: Session 3  -  Redox Metabolism and Regeneration

Brüning, Jens C - Dr, Prof

Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research & Dept. of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Cologne - Cologne, DE
https://www.sf.mpg.de/research/bruening

Speaker: Session 2 -  Carbohydrate Metabolism and Diabetes

Chavakis, Triantafyllos - Dr, Prof

Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, TU Dresden - Dresden, DE
https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de/das-klinikum/kliniken-polikliniken-institute/klinische-chemie-und-laboratoriumsmedizin/ikl-forschung-research/groups/Chavakis%20Lab 

Speaker: Session 6  -  Lipid and Fatty Acid Metabolism

Chaves Perez, Almudena - PhD

Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - New York, US
https://www.sloankettering.edu/research-areas/labs/members/almudena-chaves-perez

Speaker: Session 1  -  Regeneration and Metabolism

Kabashima, Kenji – MD-PhD, Prof

Dept. of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University - Kyoto, JP
https://www.a-star.edu.sg/asrl/principal-investigators/kenji-kabashima
 
Speaker: Session 4  -  Immunity and Metabolism

Lee-Kirsch, Min Ae - Dr, Prof

Dept. of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital - Dresden, DE
https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de/das-klinikum/kliniken-polikliniken-institute/kik/forschung/molekulare-paediatrie 

Speaker: Session 5  -  Nucleic Acid Metabolism

Mahmoud, Ahmed I - Dr, Prof

Center for Cardiovascular and Muscular Diseases, Sanford Burnham Prebys - La Jolla, US
https://sbpdiscovery.org/scientists/ahmed-mahmoud-phd/ 

Speaker: Session 1  -  Regeneration and Metabolism

Martin-Villalba, Ana - Dr, Prof

German Cancer Research Center - Heidelberg, DE
https://martin-villalba-lab.github.io/

Speaker: Session 5  -  Nucleic Acid Metabolism

Motohashi, Hozumi - MD, PhD, Prof

Dept. of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University - Sendai, JP
https://sites.google.com/view/motohashi-lab/home

Speaker: Session 3  -  Redox Metabolism and Regeneration

Petersen, Kitt - MD, Prof

Dept. of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology), Yale School of Medicine - New Haven, US
https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/kitt-petersen/

Speaker: Session 6  -  Lipid and Fatty Acid Metabolism

Poeck, Hendrik - Dr, Prof

Hematology and Medical Oncology, Dept. III of Internal Medicine - Regensburg, DE
https://www.ukr.de/innere-medizin-3/informationen-der-klinik-und-poliklinik/forschung/experimentelle-forschung/arbeitsgruppe-prof-dr-h-poeck 

Speaker: Session 5  -  Nucleic Acid Metabolism

Reznick, Jane - PhD

CECAD, University of Cologne - Cologne, DE
https://www.cecad.uni-koeln.de/research/principal-investigators/full-members/jane-reznick

Speaker: Session 4  -  Immunity and Metabolism

Roden, Michael - Dr, Prof

Dept. of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf - Düsseldorf, DE
https://www.carddiab.hhu.de/sprecher-prof-dr-roden 

Speaker: Session 2  -  Carbohydrate Metabolism and Diabetes

Roers, Axel - Dr, Prof

Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital - Heidelberg, DE
https://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/immunologie/forschung/wissenschaftliche-arbeitsgruppen/roers-lab/

Keynote Speaker / External Scientific Coordinator: CMMC Lecture II

Sanin, David E - PhD, Prof

Bloomberg-Kimmel Inst. for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - Baltimore, US
https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/david-e-sanin-pena/2777223

Speaker: Session 4  -  Immunity and Metabolism

Shulman, Gerald I - MD, PhD, MACP, MACE, FRCP (Lond.)

Dept. of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine - New Haven, US
https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/gerald-shulman/

Keynote Speaker / External Scientific Coordinator: CMMC Lecture III

Sousa, Mónica M - Dr

Nerve Regeneration Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde / i3S - Porto, PT
https://www.i3s.up.pt/research-group.php?groupid=39 

Speaker: Session 1 - Regeneration and Metabolism 

Steinberg, Gregory - PhD, Prof

Dept. of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario - Hamilton, CA
https://experts.mcmaster.ca/people/gstein

Speaker: Session 6  -  Lipid and Fatty Acid Metabolism

Tanaka, Elly - Dr, Prof

Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) - Vienna, AT
https://tanakalab.org/

Keynote Speaker / External Scientific Coordinator: CMMC Lecture I

Taylor, Roy - MD, Prof

Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University - Newcastle, GB
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/#publicinformation

Speaker: Session 2  -  Carbohydrate Metabolism and Diabetes

Please find the detailed scientific program HERE. 

We are pleased to invite all participants to submit abstracts for poster presentation at the CMMC Symposium 2026.

Submissons are welcome in the following research areas: 

  • Regeneration and Metabolism
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism and Diabetes
  • Redox Metabolism and Regeneration
  • Immunity and Metabolism
  • Nucleic Acid Metabolism
  • Lipid and Fatty Acid Metabolism
  • For the presentation of any related research area

The poster session represents a central component of the symposium, providing a dynamic platform to present ongoing research, exchange ideas, and foster interdisciplinary discussion. In particular, it offers early-career researchers the opportunity to present their work and engage with the scientific community.

  • Abstract submission deadline: September 01, 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: no later than September 02, 2026

Detailed information on abstract preparation and submission, including the template, is available HERE.

The annual, international Symposia Series in Molecular Medicine is one key highlight at the biomedical and life science campus of the University of Cologne. Originally named ‘Ernst Klenk Symposia’, the series was renamed upon the 25th anniversary of the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, and is now organized as the ‘CMMC Symposium in Molecular Medicine’. 2026 will be the 38th anniversary of this premier biomedical science meeting, which brings together over 400 national and international participants, including both Junior and Senior Faculty and other stakeholders from all over Europe and abroad.

 

If you are interested in supporting the CMMC Symposium 2026 and/or if you have further questions, please contact Bettina Kranz (Sponsoring - CMMC Symposium 2026) zmmk-office[at]uni-koeln.de

Please find our sponsoring packages here

Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty

The Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty (Building 44b) is located between Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. and Robert-Koch-Str.

Please follow the yellow CMMC Symposium signs.
 

Special offer for participants from "Deutsche Bahn" 

Participants can take advantage of exclusive DB event tickets for long-distance travel throughout Germany (ICE, IC/EC).

Your advantages:
• Up to 10% price advantage compared to regular saver and flexible fares
• Additional discount with BahnCard 25/50
• Climate-friendly and comfortable travel on DB long-distance services
• Use your time efficiently to work or relax while travelling

Book online now, discover all DB event offers for your preferred route and secure your discounted ticket: https://www.eventanreise-bahn.de/?event=54712&language=en

FAQ: https://www.bahn.de/bahnbusiness/faq/gk/angebot/eventangebote/reisende

 

Hotel Accommodation

You may book your accommodation in Cologne via KUONI Tumlare Congress using the HotelMap booking platform.

The following link will provide great offers: https://hotelmap.com/MWPLP

If you have any questions concerning the arrangement of hotel accommodation, please feel free to contact the Cologne Hotel Team cologne[at]kuonitumlare.com.

 

Travel Recommendations

Arriving by plane
Following airports are recommended:

Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN)
(distance to Cologne 30 km, 30 - 40 min. by taxi)

Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
(distance to Cologne 55 km, 50 min. by taxi)

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
A highspeed train (ICE City Express) operates every hour to Cologne Central Train Station (train travel time approx. 60 min.).

Arrival by train at Cologne Central Station

Public Transportation
From the Cologne Central Station take either the underground line 16 (direction "Suerth", "Bonn / Bad Godesberg") or line 18 (direction "Klettenbergpark", "Bruehl" or “Bonn”) to "Neumarkt" station. Please note, that you need to take the steps/escalator up to street level to change to the no. 9 tram (direction "Suelz").

At Neumarkt take tram no. 9 to “Suelz” and get off at the stop “Lindenburg" at Zuelpicher Str. Walk in the direction of travel and turn right onto "Joseph-Stelzmann Str." and walk straight ahead. Cross the next street (Kerpener Straße) and continue walking on Joseph-Stelzmann Str. until you see the sign CECAD Research Building, Joseph-Stelzmann Str. 26, on the right side. Please follow the yellow Klenk signs which will guide you through the underpass “the so-called Studentenweg” to the Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty – the venue of the CMMC Symposium 2026.

Public Transportation Tickets
You have to buy a City Ticket of category 1b for 3.80 €; KVB ticket machines are also located in every tram. You may need to validate the ticket at the platform or in the tram/bus.
During business hours, you can also purchase tickets at the KVB counter at Cologne central station or at any other station with a KVB office.

The Taxi-Option
The taxi driver should take you to the yellow sign marked “CMMC Taxi Stop” at Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26. From there, please follow the yellow signs to the Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty; approx. cost 25,- € / driving time between 15-20 min.

Alternatively, please take a "Regional Train (RE)" at Cologne Central Railway Station to "Köln/Dasselstr./ Südbahnhof". The travel time is approximately 6 min.

Arriving by car
For directions please visit:
http://www.uk-koeln.de/patienten-besucher/in-der-uniklinik-von-a-bis-z
 

Venue - Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty

The Main Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty (Geb. 44b) is located between Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. and Robert-Koch-Strasse. Please follow the yellow signs.

Site Map - Access to the Lecture Hall


Welcome to City of Cologne

An ancient and progressive city, where the cathedral spires tower over Germany's oldest city and its innumerable cultural and historical treasures, world-famous museums and active art scene.

In the year 50 A.D. the wife of the Emperor Claudius was born on the banks of the Rhine and elevated her "Colonia" to the status of a city. Today, traces of the Romans are still to be found at every turn in Cologne.

Rich with history and culture, Cologne is well known for its social tolerance and commitment to technological advancement. Cologne is a leading center for the training of young scientists, and the city's higher education sector provides specialist courses ranging across the whole academic spectrum. With over 63,000 students, the University of Cologne is Germany's largest university.

Please contact KölnTourismus for comprehensive information on the various attractions the City of Cologne has to offer: http://www.cologne-tourism.com

 

Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne
University of Cologne
Dr. Debora Grosskopf-Kroiher and the CMMC-Office Team

If you require confirmation of your participation in the CMMC Symposium 2026 in order to obtain a travel grant from your institution, please contact Dr. Debora Grosskopf-Kroiher (debora.grosskopf-kroiher[at]uni-koeln.de).
 

Poster - CMMC Symposium 2026

Our Speakers

Please note

We traditionally photograph the CMMC Symposium for print and online media. If you do not wish to be photographed, please speak directly to the photographer on site. Thank you! 

Industrial Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge the support by our industrial partners.

Sponsoring is used for conference rooms, technology, travel expenses of the speakers, conference handouts and event management. The sponsors have no influence on the selection of topics, speakers, content, or presentation formats.

Macherey-Nagel €2000,- • Proteintech €2000,-
ABclonal €1000,- • Bio-Rad €1000,-  • MCE €1000,- • Merck €1000,- • Novogene €1000,- • Promega €1000,-
LMS Consult - conference material

The Cologne Convention Bureau - Köln Tourismus

The CMMC Symposium 2026 organizers would like to thank the Cologne Convention Bureau for their outstanding support. To learn more about the services offered by Cologne Convention Bureau please visit: https://location.koelntourismus.de/planung-verbandskongresse

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