2021 Advanced Courses
This webpage currently shows events postponed from 2020. Additional courses and workshops to be supported by the FEBS Advanced Courses Programme in 2021 will be announced here later in 2020.
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
Advanced methods in macromolecular crystallization IX
Nove Hrady, Czech Republic
May 9–15, 2021
macromolcryst2021.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: TBC
Macromolecule MD simulations for interdisciplinary beginners
Nove Hrady, Czech Republic
September 6–12, 2021
macromoleculemdsimulations2021.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: 1 July 2021
Microspectroscopy: functional imaging of biological systems
Wageningen, Netherlands
September 14–23, 2021
microspectroscopy2021.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: TBC
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 19–22, 2021
computationalenzymeengineering2021.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, 2021
FEBS ADVANCED LECTURE COURSES
Joint IUBMB/FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on
Molecular targets for anti-aging interventions (MoTAI)
Spetses Island, Greece
May 5–10, 2021
antiaging2021.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, 2021
Protein folding, aggregation and compartmentalization
Spetses Island, Greece
August 1–8, 2021
proteinfolding2021.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: June 1, 2021
Redox alterations and cellular responses: from signalling to interventions
Spetses Island, Greece
September 20–26, 2021
redoxalterations2021.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: March 15, 2021
FEBS WORKSHOPS
The new biology of polyphosphate in health and disease
Cadiz, Spain
POSTPONED to April 2021; awaiting dates
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
Deadline for applications: TBC
IUBMB Focused Meeting / FEBS Workshop on
Crosstalk between nucleus and mitochondria in human disease
Seville, Spain
May 18–21, 2021
crossmitonus2021.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 28, 2021
Nucleotide excision repair and crosslink repair – molecules to mankind
Smolenice, Slovak Republic
May 2–6, 2021
nerandcrosslinkrepair2021.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, 1 February 2021; Other, 1 March 2021.
Lost in integration – probing biomolecules with electrons, photons, neutrons and magnetic spins
Spetses Island, Greece
September 13–19, 2021
probingbiomolecules2021.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: TBC
JOINT FEBS/EMBO LECTURE COURSES
Molecular mechanisms of ageing and regeneration: from hydra to humans
Spetses Island, Greece
September 5–13, 2021
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: TBC
Susan Lindquist school on proteostasis
Rehovot, Israel
November 28–December 2, 2021
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: TBC