Building the lab together - from day one

What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of starting a new laboratory? In this article, we interview Hans-Georg-Sprenger, who recently started his own research group "Molecular Metabolism & Energy Homeostasis" at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne. From the first PhD student to the first experiments, and from early discoveries and troubleshooting to the first bachelor's thesis defense, the people in the laboratory are central. For Hans-Georg Sprenger, helping others build their skills and independence is what makes mentoring so fulfilling.