Collaborative research centre 834 “Endothelial Signalling and Vascular Repair” ( www.sfb834.de) is coming to the end of its 12 year funding by the German Research Foundation. Looking back over the last 12 years it fills us with pride to have been associated with the great research teams that have taken part. We look back on some seminal publications and excellent collaborations. To celebrate the advances in science we would like to go out with a bang by hosting this international meeting that focuses on topics of particular interest to the research teams.