The past decade has seen a broad increase in the understanding that protein function is regulated by co- and post-translational modification of their N- and C-termini. Active research in this field is expanding, including in mechanistic understanding of protein modification, in technologies for examining protein termini and in identification of routes by which protein terminal modifications can be exploited for beneficial purposes. This FEBS Workshop will bring together established expertise in the field with new contributors, and will highlight the opportunities to capitalize on knowledge of protein termini for translation into novel methodologies, therapeutics and agri-tech solutions. Session topics will include ‘Structural and biochemical characterization of protein termini’, ‘New insights into N-terminal processing’, ‘Protein C-termini’, ‘Advances in methodology’, ‘Physiological impact of protein terminal modification’ and ‘Exploiting protein termini’.

Organizers: Emily Flashman, Francesco Licausi, Cheol-sang Hwang, Carmela Giglione

Close to 40% of human genes encode long and small non-coding RNA, many of which are conserved throughout evolution. They perform many essential functions in germ and somatic cells, ranging from the suppression of retrotransposons to fine-tuning gene expression. Yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain incompletely understood. The goal of this meeting is two-fold. One is to review recent advances in studying non-coding RNA biology, from biosynthesis to function. The second is to discuss the use of therapeutic non-coding RNAs (including antisense, small interfering, and CRISPR RNAs) as tools to correct faulty gene expression in human disease.

Image courtesy of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Organizers: Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko

The field of structural biology has been undergoing profound changes over the past few years, including the growing recognition of macromolecular dynamics being of paramount importance. Processes such as enzymatic turnover, protein transport and folding via biomolecular machinery, or the translocation of small molecules across biological membranes, fundamentally involve the sampling of multiple conformations of the proteins involved, i.e. dynamics. Moreover, the realization that many proteins are functional despite lacking a well-defined 3D structure, i.e. so-called intrinsically disordered proteins, has challenged our view of the structure–function relationship. Thus, in order to understand biological processes, it is instrumental to decipher the motions of proteins. The FEBS Advanced Course ‘Les Houches– Telluride Workshop on Protein Dynamics’ is a forum for presenting and discussing results from the application of state-of-the-art experimental (including, but not limited to optical, NMR and neutron spectroscopies, time-resolved X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and scattering methods) and computational and theoretical approaches to studying equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium protein dynamics.

Organizers: Enrica Bordignon, Paul Schanda, Lars Schäfer, Ben Schuler, Martin Weik, Junko Yano

The transglutaminase enzymes are extremely important to normal biological function, having been recognized to perform a myriad of roles relating to signal transduction and protein crosslinking. Dysregulation of their function or expression is the basis of a host of pathologic conditions including fibrosis, inflammation, cancer, celiac disease, skin diseases, diabetes, blood disorders and neurodegenerative disease, and there is a tremendous interest in transglutaminase type 2 as a therapeutic target.

The proposed FEBS Workshop is a much anticipated scientific meeting on known and emerging transglutaminase-related diseases, new methods for detection and novel translational aspects for treatment. It aims to bring together an international group of senior academic and industrial members, with as many as possible early career scientists, future leaders and drivers of this expanding field. The Workshop will feature presentations relevant to all the pathological conditions for which transglutaminase is a relevant target, and will also focus on emerging diseases associated with this class of enzymes, and new methods for their investigation. Additional training sessions will focus on career development and grant capturing. There will be plenty of opportunities for poster or selected oral presentations. Our evening programme is designed to encourage networking and to enjoy all that idyllic Bertinoro has to offer.

Image credit: Created with BioRender.com

Organizers: Elisabetta Verderio Edwards, Kiyotaka Hitomi

The 1^st FEBS Workshop on Redox Medicine will cover the most recent data on the redox regulation of biological functions ranging from fundamental to clinical research and therapeutic applications, as well as specific and sensitive tools and techniques to properly identify and quantify oxidants in complex biological settings. The main goal is to promote an environment in which young researchers can interact with prominent senior researchers. Join us for a workshop including lectures by invited speakers and short presentations by participants selected from submitted abstracts.

Organizers: Ana Ledo, Barbara Rocha

The past decades have witnessed a growing interest in inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a linear polymer of phosphate that predates life. PolyP participates in many vital functions including bacterial virulence, blood coagulation, cancer, inflammation, and chaperone activity, among others. In addition, recent publications revealed novel fundamental knowledge in polyP biology. Following the success of the first polyP meeting, held virtually in 2021, this FEBS Workshop gathering will show the current progress and engage our researchers’ community.
The event website is in preparation.

Organizers: Adolfo Saiardi, Felix Ruiz, Roberto Docampo

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2023

The molecular and cellular pathways in hematopoietic aging and associated hematological disease remain poorly understood. Our Workshop will bring together basic, translational and clinical scientists to discuss key regulators of hematopoietic stem cell ontogeny, cell fate specification and self-renewal upon aging and malignant transformation, highlighting state-of-the-art technologies such as metabolomics, single-cell sequencing and model systems. The FEBS Workshop is also supported by the ARCH Marie Sklodowska Curie ITN and will take place in the beautiful setting of Fodele in Crete.

Organizers: John Strouboulis, Nina Cabezas-Wallscheid, Eleni Katsantoni, Antonella Ronchi

Deadline for applications: 20 March 2023