25 Sept 2025
Last Thursday, the Biomedical Center (BMC) of LMU Munich celebrated its tenth anniversary. The commemorative ceremony and symposium were attended by both colleagues and long-time collaborators of the BMC.
© D. Diefenbacher / LMU
In their opening addresses, the university leadership, faculty and Bavarian Ministry of Science emphasised the pivotal role of biomedical research in our society and the substantial contributions made by the BMC over the past decade. Professor Peter Becker, the founder of the Center, was given special recognition. During his speech he took the audience on a journey through the founding period, traced the development of the BMC and offered a glance at the years ahead. He emphasised: “The foundation of the BMC was a complex process. The initial plans date back to the mid-1990s. Over many years, we developed concepts, secured partnerships, and established the basis for interdisciplinary collaborations. Reflecting on this journey, pride is felt at the fact that this idea has become a center that not only enables excellent research but also offers a vibrant network for our scientists.”
The Center's commitment to the local community was also highlighted: Mayor Hermann Nafziger recognised the BMC as an integral part of the Planegg-Martinsried municipality, pointing out that residents had responded enthusiastically to the Center’s Open House. In a video message, Patrick Cramer (President of the Max Planck Society) also drew attention to the growing importance of academic freedom, a principle that will continue to influence biomedical research in the years to come.
After the opening speeches, the eight BMC chairs gave a series of talks about their current research priorities. These ranged from the molecular fundamentals of biomedical processes to innovative approaches with potential future medical applications. The presentations demonstrated the strong interdisciplinary collaboration within the BMC, as well as the close connection between basic research and translational approaches. Program details
Numerous colleagues from the campus attended the event, as well as alumni and external collaborators from industry and academia. Musical performances organised by BMC staff during the breaks provided a special atmosphere for the celebrations.
With this anniversary, the BMC looks back on a successful decade – marked by pride in its achievements and confidence in the future.
