FEBS Advanced Courses: page 2

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 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

Protease research has witnessed a substantial expansion; on one hand, genome sequencing has unveiled numerous new proteases, while on the other hand, the swift development of innovative technologies like quantitative proteomics and in vivo imaging have shed light on the physiological context of these proteases. These advancements have facilitated the discovery of physiological substrates and significantly enhanced our understanding of protease functions in diverse biological contexts. This FEBS Workshop aims to address current advancements, challenges, and expansion in the field of proteases, protein inhibitors, and their physiological and pathological control mechanisms. The workshop will cover various sections dedicated to proteases, protease inhibitors, regulation, and proteolytic control, with a focus on their role in diseases and novel therapeutic approaches, bringing together established and emerging scientists from around the world to discuss the current status and future trends in this exciting research field.

Event website under preparation.

Organizers: Boris Turk, Helena Kastelic, Andreja Kozak

Fish represent a huge biological community that plays a key role in the equilibrium of the planet’s aquatic systems. The aim of this FEBS Advanced Lecture course is to provide new knowledge on the functioning and evolution of the fish immune system, to highlight how the fish immune system tackles bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, and to explore the role of ecological and environmental constraints affecting fish immunity. The molecular, genetic and functional properties of the fish immune system will be discussed in the view of how to study host–pathogen interactions at the molecular level and to unravel the role of evolutionary and ecological processes in shaping the fish immune system. A particular aspect will be the impact of anthropogenic stressors like climate change and aquatic pollution on fish immunity, and its impact on managing infectious diseases in aquaculture.

Organizers: Joachim Frey

While reactive oxygen species (ROS) were previously widely regarded as mere metabolic by-products, they have now been recognized as important mediators in cellular signalling cascades. It is now accepted that ROS are important in homeostatic signalling events. However, excessive activities of ROS and oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA have been linked to pathologies and therefore oxidative stress is still considered to be a leading player in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases and ageing. This FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on “Redox biochemistry: cellular responses and disease relevance” will focus on recent developments in this exciting field of redox biology.

Organizers: Tilman Grune, Niki Chondrogianni