We set out from a unique situation in Münster, where multidisciplinary expertise on the biology of male germ cells co-locates in the form of two major andrological and genetic institutions (Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, CeRA and Institute of Reproductive Genetics, IRG). We have intimately interconnected the CeRA and IRG with groups working on associated phenotypes and/or basic research focussing on primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) at the Department of General Paediatrics (DGP), spermatogonial stem cells at the Max Planck Institute (MPI), and research on germ cell migration in zebrafish at the Institute of Cell Biology (ICB). The Institute of Human Genetics in Essen contributed expertise on epigenetics, and we conceived a Core Project (CP) located at the Institute of Medical Informatics (IMI) to address bioinformatic efforts.

We established three special consultation hours for 'Unexplained Male Infertility' (CeRA), 'PCD and Infertility' (DGP), and 'Reproductive Genetics' (IHG) within the highly interconnected setting of this clinical research unit.

Furthermore, a multidisciplinary case conference with the three clinical partners of the CRU326 - CeRA, Paediatrics, and Genetics - and involving basic scientists was implemented. In these bi-monthly meetings, more than 120 patients were discussed of whom 38 were followed-up in detail because of distinct phenotypes. Remarkably, a genetic diagnosis could be assigned to almost 50% of these patients (18/38), partially in previously unknown genes.

A one-day CRU326 symposium 'Reproduction and beyond' in combination with the 10th anniversary of the CeRA in 2018 was broadly attended, aiming to impart our research propositions to the public. In 2019, a 2-day 'Network Reproduction' meeting was held with >70 researchers working on both the female and male side. In 2020, several CRU326 group leaders co-organised the major 2020 event in 'Andrology' – an unprecedented conference combining meetings of the national, European and international andrological societies.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic with its far-reaching restrictions, we highly enjoyed our CRU326/ReproMS Retreat in Lüdinghausen in March 2023 as an opportunity to finally bring together CRU researchers and PIs from the CRC initiative “Reproduction.MS” (see above).

Complementary public relations activities comprise the establishment of our very own website (male-germ-cells.de), a ResearchGate profile, a X account (@MaleGermCells), and public video outlets on Instagram or other channels (UKM), facilitating an open and transparent handling of our research. It was with great pleasure that we contributed to the 2022 European Fertility Week as well as the 2023 International Men’s Health Week to help raise awareness for matters of male health and male infertility.

In ordner to spread the topic of male infertility also with the broader public, we contributed to a number of open-access articles, including content for the UKM magazine PulsSCHLAG (2017 / 2019) or the DFG's journal 'forschung' (2019).