Conny Schneider, head of science communication at both LBI Trauma and BEATsepsis, brought a health systems perspective to the congress with a talk on open innovation to improve post-sepsis pathways and lessons learned from chronic wounds. Her presentation prompted engaged discussions around the human and financial cost of ineffective care pathways with the audience. Conny also co-chaired the session “Danger Response, Disturbance Factors and Regenerative Potential after Acute Trauma” alongside esteemed colleagues in the field.

Other BEATsepsis contributions spanned research and clinical insights. Coordinator Marcela Hortova-Kohoutkova presented pediatric cohort data on post-sepsis immune shifts, and Martin Helan (St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno) addressed the progression from infection to Post-Sepsis-Syndrome (PSS) and Post-Intensive-Care-Syndrome (PICS). All three talks showcased the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration in tackling sepsis; from bench to bedside and beyond.

The LBI trauma team was also well represtened in the poster sessions – not only as presenters, but also on the award podium. Johannes Zipperle shared findings on extracellular vesicles as early indicators in traumatic brain injury and received the ESS Presidential Award for his leadership and scientific vision. Dr. med. vet. Nasrin Ramezani presented a promising bio-electrodynamic method for rapid pathogen detection in sepsis. Naimeh Hashemi introduced a novel antibacterial approach using iron nanocluster-mediated photodynamic therapy and won a Best Poster Award.

Other highlights included Sergiu Dumitrescu reaching the finals of the European New Investigator Award Competition (ENIAC) with his work on tissue factor knockout in MSC-derived vesicles. Marcin Osuchowski presented a translational story on the biomarker t6A, which can identify sepsis at admission. Finally, Kacper Bielak, co-mentored by Marcin, shared his research on how early weight loss in sepsis drives long-term changes in skeletal muscle, which boosts mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. He received a Thomas Skirecki Memorial Award, a tribute to his late mentor, a long-standing beloved member of the ESS.