2020 Advanced Courses
This webpage presents the list of events in the FEBS Advanced Courses programme planned for 2020.
Impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: Given the coronavirus situation, FEBS has been supporting postponement of FEBS Advanced Courses that were scheduled to run in April, May and June 2020. Organizers will be in touch with registered participants about new arrangements in due course. As the coronavirus threat and government actions continue to evolve, for events later in 2020 please check website homepages for notices or contact the organizers of the course you are interested in to receive the most current information before registration and making travel arrangements. For a general FEBS statement in relation to coronavirus, click here.
FEBS Youth Travel Fund grants are available to assist participation of early-career researchers in events in the FEBS Advanced Courses programme; click here for general information and see the individual course websites for more details. For updates on FEBS events and other activities, sign up to the FEBS e-newsletter (via the right margin of our News page).
FEBS PRACTICAL COURSES
FEBS INSTRUCT MOBIEU Practical Course on
Hydrodynamic and thermodynamic analysis of biological macromolecules and their interactions: multi-method approaches and global data analyses
Grenoble, France
January 26–31, 2020
biomacromoldynamics2020.febsevents.org
This course provides theoretical and practical training in data analysis in several modern biophysical methods for monitoring and quantifying molecular interactions – analytical ultracentrifugation, isothermal titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, microscale thermophoresis, and fluorescence-based techniques; additional related methods are introduced in lectures. The course will put emphasis on the complementarity of these different methods in the field of macromolecular biology and on the combined analysis of datasets coming from different methods.
Organizer: Christine Ebel
Deadline for applications: October 30, 2019
State-of-the-art alternative infection models to study molecular mechanisms of human fungal infections
Jena, Germany
February 16–23, 2020
humanfungalinfectionmodels2020.febsevents.org
This course is designed to train graduate students, post-docs, and young independent investigators in state-of-the-art alternative infection models to study human fungal pathogens. Laboratory exercises include different infection models such as cell culture, interaction with primary immune cells, and alternative model hosts, and a wide array of read-out methods, e.g. adhesion, invasion, damage and phagocytosis assays, immunological methods and imaging. Invited speakers will provide further insight into fungal biology pathogenesis. Social evenings and joined meals provide ample opportunities for informal exchange with lecturers.
Organizers: Ilse Jacobsen, Bernhard Hube, Mark Gresnigt
Deadline for applications: October 31, 2019
Advanced methods in macromolecular crystallization IX
Nove Hrady, Czech Republic
May 16–22, 2020. POSTPONED; awaiting new dates
macromolcryst2020.febsevents.org
This course for students and postdocs with an interest in macromolecular crystallization is a continuation of eight previous successful FEBS-supported crystallization courses. Its main aim and big advantage compared to other established protein crystallization courses is consideration of theoretical aspects of the crystal growth process as well as practical work: there will be a healthy mix of advanced discussions of the theory and of laboratory experiments and the possibility for participants to crystallize their own proteins. Direct contact between participants and experts in the field acting as teachers and tutors ensures participants will have the possibility of discussing and solving their own scientific problems.
Organizer: Ivana Kuta Smatanova; Co-organizers: Pavlina Rezacova, Jeroen Mesters, Jose Gavira Gallardo
Deadline for applications: March 20, 2020
Macromolecule MD simulations for interdisciplinary beginners
Nove Hrady, Czech Republic
September 6–12, 2020
macromoleculemdsimulations2020.febsevents.org
In this practical course, young researchers will learn aspects of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of biomolecules and their interactions with ligand. Participants will prepare protein structure files and make force-field parameters of ligands, dock ligands to proteins, simulate the resulting complex and analyze the results. Also they will learn the basics of coarse-grained simulations. Social evenings will provide ample opportunities for participants to discuss and exchange information with lecturers informally.
Organizers: Babak Minofar, David van der Spoel, Victor Guallar, Sarah Harris
Deadline for applications: July 1, 2020
Microspectroscopy: functional imaging of biological systems
Wageningen, Netherlands
September 8–17, 2020. POSTPONED; awaiting new dates
microspectroscopy2020.febsevents.org
This practical course highlights different microscopic and spectroscopic methodologies to study biomolecular processes in living cells such as: (multiphoton) confocal microscopy, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), super-resolution microscopy, total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF), fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCS), and single-molecule detected fluorescence.
Organizer: Jan Willem Borst
Deadline for applications: June 1, 2020
FEBS PRACTICAL AND LECTURE COURSES
Exploring the human proteome with antibodies, transcriptomics and mass spectrometry
Stockholm, Sweden
May 30 – June 4, 2021
humanproteome2021.febsevents.org
This course is designed to train graduate students, post-docs, and young independent investigators in state-of-the-art analysis of the human proteins using antibodies, transcriptomics and mass spectrometry. The course will teach various techniques and this will be complemented with a daily workshop in which the participants will annotate a large number of genes/proteins with the aim to go through all experimental evidence of the respective protein and to evaluate the quality of the underlying data to score the evidence for protein profiles and functionality. Social evenings and joined meals provide ample opportunities for informal exchange with lecturers.
Organizers: Cecilia Lindskog, Kalle von Feilitzen, Mathias Uhlen
Deadline for applications: YTFs, January 31, 2021; Other, February 28, 2021
Computational approaches to understanding and engineering enzyme catalysis
Oulu, Finland
October 13–16, 2020
computationalenzymeengineering2020.febsevents.org
This course fits in the 3D-Bioinfo ELIXIR initiative and it will bring together computational and experimental (bio)chemistry experts who will give comprehensive lectures on understanding and engineering enzyme catalysis. Hands-on practical sessions will be focused on how to use state-of-the-art software and webservers – including PROSS, FuncLib, EBI enzyme portal, qFIT and qFIT-ligand, CAVER and DynaComm – complemented by lectures on the EVB and QM/MM methods. In addition, experimental researchers will give lectures on how these in silico approaches have successfully helped them with solving problems in their research on enzyme catalysis.
Organizers: Rikkert Wierenga, Aleksandra Maršavelski
Deadline for applications: June 30, 2020
FEBS ADVANCED LECTURE COURSES
Joint IUBMB/FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on
Molecular targets for anti-aging interventions (MoTAI)
Spetses Island, Greece
May 25–30, 2020. POSTPONED; awaiting new dates
antiaging2020.febsevents.org
The course will cover a wide range of issues related to aging, age-related disorders and anti-aging interventions. Fundamental biological principles and basic signaling pathways involved in the aging process and age-related diseases, like cholesterol metabolism, cytochrome C pathway, proteolysis, genomic stability, damage and repair will be in the focus of the course. In addition, various anti-aging interventions, starting from the non-pharmacological approaches like dietary restriction and changing of daily habits, to pharmacological therapies, will be covered. The program includes lectures, tutorials and roundtable discussions, as well as poster and oral presentations given by the student participants.
Organizers: Aleksandra Mladenovic Djordjevic, Efstathios Gonos, Silva Katusic Hecimovic
Deadline for applications: March 30, 2020
Structural Drug Design 2020: biology, chemistry and computers
Erice, Italy
May 29 – June 6, 2020; POSTPONED to 2023
crystalerice.org/2020/
The course aims to provide an overview of the current structural, biophysical, informatics and chemical techniques used in disease biology understanding and drug discovery and design. A combination of lectures and workshops will provide theoretical background and hands-on experience. Poster sessions and short talks, as well as the very informal atmosphere typical of the beautiful town of Erice, will encourage networking and interactions with leaders in the field.
Organizers: Giovanna Scapin, Charlotte Dean, Frank von Delft
Deadline for applications: November 30, 2019
Cellular stress and ADP-ribosylation
Naples, Italy
July 12–18, 2020
cellularstress2020.febsevents.org
This course focuses on the mutual relationship between ADP-ribosylation research and our current knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying cellular stress responses. It will cover a wide range of topics including recent highlights in the fields of ADP-ribosylation, ubiquitinylation, heat shock and nutritional as well as oxygen stress responses, to present PhD students and postdoctoral scientists, as well as academic and institute research fellows, with novel aspects of pharmaceutical targeting. Plenary lectures, poster sessions, panel discussions and speaker’s corners / meet-the-experts sessions will address and encourage the interaction of young scientists with the invited experts in discussions about science and career paths.
Organizers: Daniela Corda, Michael O. Hottiger
Deadline for applications: April 17, 2020
Protein folding, aggregation and compartmentalization
Spetses Island, Greece
August 21– 28, 2020
proteinfolding2020.febsevents.org
In this advanced course we have brought together a unique combination of frontiers in science focusing on the the capacity of numerous proteins and peptides to self-assemble into amyloid fibrils. The course includes introductory and state-of-art lectures with special emphasis on amyloid structures, chaperones in amyloid formation, membrane-less organelles, lipids and membranes in amyloid formation, functional amyloids, and pathology of amyloids. In the evening lectures, the different topics will be discussed in an integrative manner. Young researchers will have ample opportunity to meet and to discuss basic and emerging topics with the lecturers as social interactions are an important aspect of the meeting.
Organizers: Bernd Helms, Sheena Radford, Stefan Rüdiger
Deadline for applications: May 1, 2020
Redox alterations and cellular responses: from signalling to interventions
Spetses Island, Greece
September 21–27, 2020
redoxalterations2020.febsevents.org
This course will focus on examining how changes in redox signalling trigger adaptation and the crucial roles of key adaptive processes in preventing cellular degeneration. Emphasis will be given on the role of redox regulation in biological ageing and redox-related models of disease at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels. Participants will have the opportunity to interact frequently in a relaxed setting with prominent senior scientists in the field, and to present and discuss their results in poster sessions and oral presentations. The course will also provide the participants with transferable skills training sessions and career development tutorials.
Organizers: Aphrodite Vasilaki, Niki Chondrogianni
Deadline for applications: May 1, 2020
4th Danube conference on epigenetics
Budapest, Hungary
October 6–9, 2020
epigenetics2020.febsevents.org
For the 4th time the Danube Conference on Epigenetics brings together scientists studying a range of topics in the field of Epigenetics: from transcriptional regulation, through chromatin modifications, nuclear architecture, transgenerational inheritance and metabolism to DNA methylation. Lectures by leading experts in the field are followed by poster sessions in a relaxed atmosphere, as well as organized social events, ideal for interacting one-on-one with invited speakers. Short sessions and long evenings are shared with new and old friends. In addition, after last years’ success this year’s program again features a dedicated hands-on session for early career researchers on How to write better scientific papers. If you wish to immerse yourself in the full spectrum of epigenetics in a friendly atmosphere, then join us in Budapest in October!
Organizer: Tamás Arányi
Deadline for applications: YTFs, May 31, 2020; Early registration, July15, 2020
FEBS SPECIAL MEETING
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins: from multidrug resistance to genetic disease – ABC2020
Innsbruck, Austria
March 1–7, 2020
abc2020.febsevents.org
ABC2020 will cover all basic and applied aspects of ABC proteins, both in normal and in cancer cells, as well as their important roles in genetic diseases and also drug resistance phenomena in cancer or infectious diseases. Leading scientists will present and discuss latest news on ABC proteins operating in bacteria, fungi, plants, parasites and humans. This special meeting is the only one in the world focusing exclusively on this medically and biologically important transporter family. Poster sessions, selected short and workshop talks by young scientists, junior investigators, a poster bullet session and moderated round-table discussions will ensure a strong interaction between speakers and participants.
Organizer: Karl Kuchler
Deadline for applications: YTFs, December 1, 2019; Other, December 15, 2019
FEBS WORKSHOPS
The new biology of polyphosphate in health and disease
Cadiz, Spain
April 21–23, 2020: POSTPONED to April 2021
polyphosphates2020.febsevents.org
With this workshop, we aim to create a fertile ground to share different expertise, discuss recent developments, and stimulate new collaborations, to create the foundations for future years of innovative polyP research. The outstanding group of internationally recognized invited speakers will be complemented by a variety of talks selected from attendees as well as flash poster presentations. We aim to stimulate interaction and cooperation between attendees at every career stage, for example through social evenings and joined meals to help create wholehearted collegiality. Gathering together polyP researchers of different backgrounds and career trajectories will be instrumental in building a much-needed community, necessary for the harmonic progression of this novel and exciting research field.
Organizers: Adolfo Saiardi, Felix Ruiz, Roberto Docampo
IUBMB Focused Meeting / FEBS Workshop on
Crosstalk between nucleus and mitochondria in human disease
Seville, Spain
May 19–22, 2020. POSTPONED; awaiting new dates.
crossmitonus2020.iubmb-febs.org
The workshop will focus on the communication that exists between mitochondria and the cell nucleus, first described as retrograde signaling between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Recently, mitochondrial factors have emerged as response elements to cell nucleus performance. Thus, unraveling the whole connectivity between the biomolecules involved in all this regulatory mitochondria–nucleus crosstalk and its relation to cell fate and physiological state is nowadays a major challenge. Indeed, as a supra-disciplinary field, it demands collaborative efforts involving Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology and Cancer Biology, and new approaches in which experimental and computational methods are used.
Organizer: Irene Diaz-Moreno
Deadline for applications: February 29, 2020
Nucleotide excision repair and crosslink repair – molecules to mankind
Smolenice, Slovak Republic
May 31 – June 4, 2020. POSTPONED to May 2–6, 2021
nerandcrosslinkrepair2020.febsevents.org
Disruption of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and crosslink repair is associated with devastating heritable human conditions including cancer, bone marrow failure, neurodegeneration and premature aging. Moreover, DNA repair enzymes can counteract the efficiency of many important antitumor drugs during cancer treatment, and the enzymes constitute compelling, but underexplored, targets for drug design. The workshop will address the state-of-the-art scientific progress in the field, moving from molecular science to human biology to explore the basis of disease syndromes associated with defects in NER and crosslink repair as well as investigating strategies to inhibit DNA repair enzymes. It will provide an unparalleled forum for young scientists to meet and engage with experts driving the field.
Organizers: Peter McHugh, Miroslav Chovanec, Caroline Kisker, Bennett Van Houten
Deadline for applications: YTFs, March15, 2020; Other, April 1, 2020
Lost in integration – probing biomolecules with electrons, photons, neutrons and magnetic spins
Spetses Island, Greece
September 14–20, 2020
probingbiomolecules2020.febsevents.org
The international course for primarily PhD students (but also postdocs) will include lectures as well as group discussions, journal clubs, panel discussions and posters. With dramatic developments of X-ray and neutron sources, cryo-EM, super resolution microscopy, single-molecule microscopy, NMR, and computation, the possibilities for addressing advanced problems in structural biology and molecular cell biology and physiology are on a fast move. It is increasingly important to integrate many sources of data to achieve proper models of dynamic interactions between biomolecules and how they define cell function. The workshop will address these challenges and also cover the individual methods to stimulate critical discourse and forward-looking visions of integral structural biology.
Organizer: Poul Nissen
Deadline for applications: April 29, 2020
JOINT FEBS/EMBO LECTURE COURSES
Ion channels and transporters: from molecule to man
Erice, Italy
May 17–23, 2020. POSTPONED; awaiting new dates
meetings.embo.org/event/20-ion-channels
This course is designed to provide an overview of the latest aspects of ion channel and transporter research. Topics covered will include structural, functional and computational aspects, as well as more general themes, such as publishing and the role of women in science. Additionally, the course will feature didactic tutorials and some hands-on exercises. There will be ample opportunities for discussion and ad hoc interactions between students and lecturers. Lastly, the small town of Erice provides a relaxed and beautiful setting for the course.
Organizer: Stephan Pless, Alessio Accardi, Paolo Tammaro
Deadline for applications: March 1, 2020
Molecular mechanisms of ageing and regeneration: from hydra to humans
Spetses Island, Greece
September 5–13, 2020
meetings.embo.org/event/20-ageing-regeneration
This course is part of a very successful series of Summer Schools with a 50-year tradition on the wonderful island of Spetses, Greece. It brings together leaders in the fields of ageing and regeneration with PhD students and postdocs. The meeting combines lectures, discussion groups, poster sessions, tutorials under the olive trees or on the beach, and the very popular common dinners. The intense nature of the course creates a familiar and inspiring atmosphere and fosters interactions between participants and speakers. It thus creates a unique training and networking opportunity.
Organizers: Christoph Englert ([email protected]), Frank Madeo, Julia von Maltzahn
Deadline for applications: May 1, 2020
Cancer systems biology: promises of artificial intelligence
Paris, France
September 28 – October 3, 2020
The objective of the course is to promote better integration of computational approaches into biological and clinical labs. The course will particularly focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) approaches in cancer research. The participants of the course will be exposed to various approaches for omics, imaging, clinical data analysis and interpretation, combining signalling networks together with multi-scale data and associating it to clinical data. In addition, drug sensitivity prediction algorithms, biomarkers and cancer drivers identification; patient stratification approaches; application of mathematical modelling and image analysis in cancer with focus on AI/ML approaches will be demonstrated.
Organizer: Inna Kuperstein ([email protected])
Deadline for applications: July 1, 2020
Susan Lindquist school on proteostasis
Rehovot, Israel
December 7–10, 2020
A balanced protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is essential to maintain cellular function and includes processes ranging from protein synthesis, to folding and degradation. The Susan Lindquist School on Proteostasis offers an opportunity for the next generation of scientists (graduate students and postdocs) to learn about the widely faceted aspects of proteostasis. It will contain both review-type and current research presentations from leaders in the field of proteostasis (on folding, stress responses, autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome-system, ageing, disease, and technologies), career development sessions, and numerous opportunities for attendees to network and present their own projects.
Organizers: Ruth Scherz-Shouval ([email protected]), Christian Münch, Matthias Feige, Rebecca Taylor
Deadline for applications: June 1, 2020