The idea of starting a Study Group on dendritic cell (DC) biology within the German Society for Immunology was born on one of the annual DGfI meetings when we realized that many DC researchers do not personally know each other. Since 2014 a continuous discussion with scientists working on mononuclear phagocytes as well as members of the German Society for Immunology led to the initiation of the Study Group DC in September 2016 in Hamburg. The aim of the Study Group DC is to share data, methods and knowledge on mononuclear phagocytes, including DCs and macrophages, with the idea to foster fruitful collaborations and joint funding initiatives. Our particular goal is to facilitate the networking of young scientists working in the field.