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On its 50th anniversary, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), together with partners from science and research, is transforming Vienna’s Maria-Theresien-Platz into a 'garden of curiosity' through its BeOpen science festival. The FWF is Austria's main national funding body for basic research.

The IMP and its main sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim are joining the celebrations and co-host a panel discussion on the subject of "What is Life?". Not last due to its support for the IMP, Boehringer Ingelheim is Austria's biggest private supporter of basic research - in addition to being a highly innovative player in applied research, in which Boehringer Ingelheim invests 200 million Euros per year in Austria alone. Boehringer Ingelheim is an official partner of BeOpen.

"What is Life" is an iconic book - based on a lecture series - by the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, which inspired many of the leading early molecular biologists. The book itself celebrates its 75th anniversary this week.

Following an introduction by Boehringer Ingelheim's Daryll McConnell, IMP Scientific Director Jan-Michael Peters and Catholic theologian Sigrid Müller engaged in a discussion on basic features of life. The discussion was embedded into the opening ceremony of BeOpen. Some IMP scientists are also highlighted in parts of the exhibition of BeOpen, including Elly Tanaka's regeneration work in axolotls and Anna Obenauf's research on metastasis. 

Other features of the event include 18 scientific pop-up pavilions with leading Austrian scientists from across all disciplines the FWF supports; the FWF Dialogue Arena with discussions on scientific progress, social responsibility and science policy; and a research rally and two experimenter mobiles to acquaint children with the world of research. 

The BeOpen Festival can be visited from 8 to 12 September: 
https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/about-the-fwf/be-open-science-society-festival/