To mark the start of its new funding initiative "Life? - A fresh scientific approach to the basic principles of life",  the Volkswagen Foundation organises a two-day conference with an interdisciplinary excahnge on the fascinating question "What is life?". The foundation will also present the concept of the funding initiative and will answer all questions of applicants. Like the initiative, the conference addresses researchers from the natural and life sciences.

International speakers from biochemistry, biophysics, molecular systems and synthetic biology will give an insight to the most recent and interesting approaches of their field tackling the principles of life. Opportunities for poster presentations and travel grants (junior scholars) exist. More information is available at the conference website.