On 13 and 14 May 2025, the first plenary meeting of the NUM Study Network and the Infections Network took place in the traditional observatory of the Physikalischer Verein in Frankfurt am Main. The aim of the two-day event was to discuss the current development of the NUM Study Network, common challenges and strategic perspectives for the future cooperation of all stakeholders in the network.
The programme began on Tuesday with a series of exciting workshops, followed by a plenary session with presentations on the vision and mission of the NUM study network, clinical research in Germany and technical platforms relating to the NUM study network. The session was rounded off with presentations from the Infection, Stroke and Intensive Care Networks. After a further workshop session in the afternoon, the participants were then able to deepen the discussions that had begun during a poster session and a look at the sun through the telescopes of the Physikalischer Verein.
The first day of the event ended with a joint conference dinner at the Oberschweinstiege restaurant - a welcome opportunity to continue the day's discussions in a relaxed atmosphere and to strengthen networks.
Wednesday started with a plenary session in which the international and future perspectives of the NUM study network were emphasised. A panel discussion, which brought together representatives from academia and industry, focussed on the question of what should happen by 2030. After another workshop session, the head of research at the Physikalischer Verein drew a comparison between big data in astrophysical and clinical research in the final plenary session of the General Assembly, before the participants of the General Assembly were officially dismissed. In two further workshops at the end, the remaining participants were able to discuss topics relating to the Infection Network.
The first General Assembly 2025 was an important milestone for the NUM Study Network and its specialist networks. It not only provided space for review and planning, but also strengthened the collaborative spirit within the network and thus provided new impetus for future collaborations within the NUM Study Network.
The potential of cross-location collaboration and the role of the study network in national research strategies were particularly emphasised.
We would like to thank all participants for their commitment and look forward to further collaboration!
List of workshops:
- Measuring quality of life with patient-reported outcomes in clinical research and care - perspectives of NUM NUKLEUS
- Active patient participation in study processes
- DIZe, FDPG, NUKLEUS, NUM Study Portal, NUM Hub - How do the processes come together?
- Locations in the NUM SN - steps towards a community
- Interaction of NUM SN with its specialist networks - opportunities, challenges and solutions
- Steering Committee Live*: Transformation of governance after the sub-project phase
- Biobanking meets pathogens - management of organisms from different risk groups in the NUM SN
- Cooperation with DZIF - expectations and synergies in infection research
- Master study protocol infections - first lessons learnt and next steps
- Industry partnerships, research alliances and international connectivity - hopes and expectations for the NUM SN
- NUM study portal - an app store for clinical trial tools?
- Serious infections and sepsis - crossover of the Critical Care and Infection Networks
- After basic recruitment - integrated studies and use cases based on the master study protocol
- Topic room 3 can come? - What is missing for a quick start in 2026, what can still be prepared?
- SNAP workshop: Global status, implementation in Germany and Q&A session
- Plenary of the modules: Joint discussion of open questions