Summary

On October 1–2 2025, we hosted a two-day scientific program as part of the Einstein Visiting Fellowship of Prof. Dr. Nevan Krogan. The visit centered on intensive scientific exchange with the Freund group and collaborators, focusing on disease-relevant mutations in the presynaptic SNARE complex, key topics to both labs.

Day 1: Scientific discussions 

The program began with a seminar and in-depth scientific discussion involving members of the “Einstein team,” including Prof. Christian Freund, Dr. Xiao Jakob Schmitt, Helena Rheingau, and Dr. Francesco Cannizzaro, together with an invited expert Prof. Stephan Sigrist. Discussions explored mechanistic aspects of synaptic function and the relevance of SNARE mutations in disease contexts, including potential links to autism-related models. 

In the evening, the visit continued with a monthly joint online meeting bringing together researchers from Berlin and San Francisco. The day concluded with a dinner, further fostering informal discussion and community building. 

Day 2: Collaboration and institutional engagement

Scientific discussions with the Einstein team continued on October 2, focusing on coordination and alignment. Dr. Celine Perier (Program Manager at UCSF), together with Vanesa Suric (Director, Strategic Partnerships Chief Administrative Officer at UCSF), Dr. Almudena Hurtado Picó (Lab Manager at FUB) and Dr. Francesco Cannizzaro (newly appointed Science Coordinator at FUB), met together to reflect on the broader institutional dimension of the collaboration and its strategic development. 

A shared team lunch provided additional space for informal scientific exchange, while the media team documented the visit. 

Strengthening a long-term partnership

The October visit illustrates how the Einstein Visiting Fellowship supports sustained scientific interaction, complementing virtual formats and in-person symposia. By combining focused discussions, cross-disciplinary perspectives, and institutional engagement, the program contributes to the long-term development of the Berlin–San Francisco research partnership.

In the photo: The "Einstein Team" engaging in scientific discussion on the results presented by Dr. Xiao Jakob Schmitt.

References and further information

• Nevan Krogan – UCSF Faculty Profile
  https://profiles.ucsf.edu/nevan.krogan

• Einstein Visiting Fellowship Video
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ2V1IrX7y0