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Science celebration in Marburg: Discover microbes and their secret!
Visit the Cluster of Excellence Festival in Marburg on September 6, 2025 – exciting insights into microbial research and hands-on activities!
Science celebration in Marburg: Discover microbes and their secret!
On August 26, 2025, the university town of Marburg will announce an important event. The Excellence Cluster Festival will take place on September 6, 2025 on the Marburg market square. From 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., visitors can take part in information stands and hands-on activities, followed by a Science PubQuiz at 8:00 p.m. The event is organized by the Philipps University of Marburg, the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and the city of Marburg. Admission is free and the entire program is open to the public.
The Cluster of Excellence Festival presents two important research clusters: “Microbes for Climate (M4C)” and “The Adaptive Mind (TAM)”. While M4C addresses the role of microbes in climate change, TAM aims to understand universal principles of human adaptability by combining psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence and robotics. The festival offers numerous activities, including hands-on experiments and short lectures in the so-called science box.
Research in focus: microbes and their role in climate change
The Cluster of Excellence “Microbes for Climate” is at the center of an exciting research initiative. This joint project by the Philipps University of Marburg and the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology will be funded for a period of seven years from January 1, 2026. Microbes play a crucial role in the carbon cycle and are significantly involved in the formation and conversion of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The aim of the research is to develop solutions for the sustainable conversion of greenhouse gases and to clarify the evolutionary mechanisms of microbial contributions to climate change.
The M4C cluster was positively assessed by a committee of experts and receives funding from the Hessian excellence program LOEWE. In addition, the funding can be extended for a further seven years. The importance of these clusters is also underlined by the Excellence Strategy of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Science Council, which aims to promote cutting-edge research in Germany in order to solve pressing challenges in science.
The role of the Philipps University of Marburg
In recent years, the Philipps University of Marburg has laid extensive foundations for excellent research achievements. By building a profile and establishing scientific centers such as the Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and the Center for Earth Microcosm (MEC), the university aims to be one of the leading research locations internationally. The M4C cluster is supported not only by the university and the Max Planck Institute, but also by partners such as the Justus Liebig University of Giessen and the University of Münster.
The Cluster of Excellence Festival will be an interactive experience for all ages and will appeal to families and quiz enthusiasts. The Science PubQuiz does not require any prior knowledge of microbes, brains or space travel and offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about the fascinating research topics being researched in Marburg.
In summary, the Cluster of Excellence Festival is not only a celebration of the outstanding research in Marburg, but also a platform to raise awareness of the importance of microbes in climate change. The event sets an example for the future of research and Marburg's role as an important research location in Germany. University of Marburg, Max Planck Institute, Max Planck Institute.