91ÁÔÆæ

Cancer research is still pushing scientific boundaries and new developments and insights are entering the clinic at increasing pace. Most of the recent clinical successes come from a better understanding of basic processes that govern the malignant behavior of the cancer cell itself, as well as the way the cancer cell interacts with cells in its environment. Consequently, we see that new inhibitors of these processes, are entering the clinic very rapidly.

The molecular mechanisms by which cancer cell behavior is controlled are intensively studied in modern biology. In this (co-sponsored by ) held in Spetses, Greece, we are bringing together a number of true experts in the field of cancer research, from basic to clinical oncology. This course will cover cancer signaling and metabolism, genome instability and tumor evolution, the tumor microenvironment, and novel ways of drug development. Finally, the application or translation of this knowledge into the clinic will be discussed by the speakers.

Organizers: Boudewijn Burgering, René Medema

The will take place in the island of Spetses, Greece, 3–8 September 2026. It will bring together experts to teach the basics and discuss the state-of-the-art in the highly relevant and interconnected topics of liver (patho)physiology, hepatocyte metabolism, liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and the development of novel model systems.

A disbalance in the synthesis, secretion, and uptake of lipids can cause MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic (fatty) liver disease), which can lead to hepatic inflammation (MASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. MASLD has a worldwide prevalence of 30%, with 20% of MASLD-affected individuals developing MASH and ~20% of this group developing liver cirrhosis over the next 3-4 decades. Increases in obesity worldwide mean these numbers are expected to rise, so preventive measures and drug development are urgently needed.

In this context, newly developed model systems representing key aspects of liver function and liver structure are helping the elucidation of molecular and cellular pathways involved in MASLD, and ultimately allowing the identification of novel druggable key nodes. The course is open to PhD students and early-career researchers and will be organized in an informal setting with many sessions and activities scheduled to stimulate interactions between the participants and the speakers.

Additional information on the course can be obtained from this  by the course organizer.

Organizers: Bernd Helms, Benedetta Artegiani, Delilah Hendriks, Panu K. Luukkonen

The will bring together international experts and early-career researchers to explore the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its interplay with the immune system and tissue-associated microbiome – three interconnected biological systems that shape tissue homeostasis, regeneration, aging, and disease, yet are often studied independently.

Participants will be introduced to state-of-the-art concepts and experimental approaches through a programme of introductory and advanced lectures, discussion sessions, and meet-the-expert activities delivered by leading scientists in ECM biology, immunology, microbiome research, and regenerative biology. The scientific programme will address:

• Structure–function relationships of ECM macromolecules and their roles in tissue assembly
• Mechanisms of ECM remodeling and the influence of matrix-modifying enzymes on immune regulation
• Microbiota-driven modulation of inflammation and ECM dynamics, ECM-mediated signaling, stem cell niche regulation, and tissue regeneration
• Tools and models for probing microenvironmental interactions, including organoids, gnotobiotic systems, and decellularized scaffolds
• Systems biology approaches to integrate ECM, immune, and microbiome signaling networks

Alongside the lectures, the course will feature poster sessions, small-group discussions, and career-development activities. Mentoring and networking events will provide opportunities for participants to build collaborations and interact closely with faculty across disciplines.

What distinguishes this course is its holistic, mechanistic perspective on ECM–immune–microbiome crosstalk, integrating biological systems that are typically examined in isolation. Building on the strong legacy of previous 91ÁÔÆæ ECM courses (2007–2023), which have generated highly cited The 91ÁÔÆæ Journal MiniReview Series and Special Issues, this course aims to equip participants with the conceptual and technological tools needed to advance research in this rapidly developing field. 91ÁÔÆæ Youth Travel Fund (YTF) grants will be available.

Organizers: Nikolaos Afratis, Nikos K. Karamanos, Valerio Izzi, Laurent Duca, Martin Götte

Redox homeostasis is a prerequisite for human health, in which the physiological levels of nonradical reactive oxygen species function as the primary second messengers to modulate physiological redox signaling by orchestrating multiple redox sensors. However, redox dysregulation leads to biomolecule damage and subsequent occurrence of various diseases such as cardiovascular pathology, cancer and neurodegeneration.

The , jointly delivered with the , aims to tackle the intricate redox signaling network that has evolved around cellular metabolism, generation of radical species, and cellular responses that affect growth and death. The speakers will discuss different aspects of redox signaling involved in both physiological and pathological conditions and how dysfunction of this complex signaling network can be targeted to prevent/slow disease onset and progression. Further, different model systems as well as methodological approaches, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, will be discussed to provide students a wider perspective of questions, models, and approaches that can be developed for future studies.

The program offers a diverse array of activities, including training lectures, poster sessions, short presentations by all participants, and ‘meet the expert’ sessions that provide young scientists with the opportunity to engage directly with leading international experts in redox biology.

The course will target early-career researchers (ECRs) from different areas of basic biological sciences and medicine, primarily experienced PhD students and post-doctoral level scientists within 5 years after completion of their doctorate. ECRs will be selected primarily based on their qualifications relevant to the course content, their potential to contribute to the breadth of science, and the benefit they are likely to obtain for their future careers, while ensuring a broad participation from different 91ÁÔÆæ constituent countries and a focus on equality and diversity.

Image: neurons stained with DCF, for ROS assay; from lab of M. Perluigi.

Organizers: Marzia Perluigi, Fabio Di Domenico, Niki Chondrogianni

The will be held in 12–18 October 2026 on the island Spetses, Greece. Brain function depends on the exquisitely controlled spatial and temporal release of neurotransmitters, which are stored in synaptic vesicles (SVs). In addition, synaptic function relies on profound cargo and lipid flux and on organizational principles to recycle and enrich distinct sets of proteins/lipids in local functional and dynamic environments. Recent advances in techniques such as high-resolution imaging, in vitro reconstitution, electrophysiology, molecular modelling, and biophysics have provided remarkably detailed and unsurpassed insights into the molecular components and mechanisms, structural architecture, signaling pathways and pathogenesis underlying neurotransmitter release.

This course aims to provide an integrated perspective on synaptic vesicle dynamics, bringing together experts at the forefront of closely related and highly relevant topics including membrane trafficking, lipid dynamics, neuronal exocytosis, and the organization of supramolecular structures and molecular condensates. The talks will emphasize molecular mechanisms, structure-function relationships, molecular causes of neurological disease, and state-of-the-art technologies. In an informal setting, poster sessions, oral presentations, and casual meet-the-expert rounds will stimulate interactions between students, postdocs and lecturers, establishing scientific and personal networks.

Organizers: Thomas Söllner, Bernd Helms, Felix Wieland

The will take place 19–22 October 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. The course continues the tradition of the Danube Epigenetics Conference series, which has grown into a recognised international brand in the field of chromatin and epigenetics research.

The 2026 event will explore key themes in modern epigenetics, such as epigenetic memory and chromatin dynamics, noncoding RNAs, 3D genome architecture, and gene regulation; germline reprogramming and developmental epigenetics; and AI-powered multiomics and single-cell technologies.

The course will also include an AI & Data Analysis workshop, poster sessions with integrated flash talks, roundtable discussions, social events, and dedicated networking time with speakers. There will be affordable access for your scientists, especially from Central and Eastern Europe.

Additional information can be obtained from this  by the course organizer.

Organizers: Ferenc Mueller, Petra Hajkova, J. Andrew Pospisilik, Celia Martinez-Jimenez, Lorant Szekvolgyi

The relationship between protein structure, dynamics, and function is fundamental to biology. Proteins are inherently dynamic, adopting multiple conformations that enable folding, catalysis, molecular recognition, and signal transduction. However, capturing these processes across timescales ranging from femtoseconds to hours remains a major challenge.

Time-resolved spectroscopy has transformed our understanding of protein function by probing excited states and tracking the kinetic evolution of intermediates generated upon activation. Time-resolved X-ray methods, like crystallography and solution scattering can provide atomic-resolution snapshots of structural changes and information on the conformational dynamics, respectively. Because no single experimental technique can fully capture the complexity of biomolecular dynamics, theoretical approaches such as molecular dynamics simulations and quantum-mechanical calculations are essential for interpreting and integrating the experimental findings.

The 91ÁÔÆæ Workshop ‘Time-resolved spectroscopy meets time-resolved crystallography: Advances and challenges’ aims to bring together researchers working in the fields of time-resolved spectroscopy and time-resolved X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques as well as computational methods to present recent advances, discuss current challenges, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations. A particular emphasis will be placed on emerging triggering strategies beyond light, including ligand mixing, photocage release, microfluidics, and chemically triggered reactions, expanding time-resolved studies to biological systems that are intrinsically light-sensitive. The workshop will also highlight state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies developed at large-scale research facilities.

The following topics will be addressed:

• time-resolved spectroscopy
• time-resolved serial crystallography at synchrotrons and XFELs
• time-resolved X-ray solution scattering
• time-resolved cryo EM
• sensory photoreceptors of optogenetic interest, membrane proteins, photosynthetic systems, UV-damage, heme proteins, flavoproteins
• various triggering strategies including chromophore excitation, photo-uncaging, mixing and diffusion, temperature-jumps, electric field stimulation, etc.
• computational biology (MD simulations, DFT, QM/MM)
• software development for time-resolved spectroscopy and time-resolved serial crystallography

This third edition builds on the successful meetings held in and (see also this ) and broadens its scope by encompassing research on biological systems that are not naturally light-sensitive, while keeps fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the above-mentioned scientific communities.

The website for this course is under construction. Read this  for more information from the co-organizers.

(Image credit to the course organizers, with help from AI.)

Organizers: Sofia M. Kapetanaki, Sofia Jaho, Martin Appleby, Nicoletta Liguori

The 91ÁÔÆæ Practical & Lecture Course ‘Advanced Lipidomics Technologies to Study Lipid Biology’ will take place from 24–28 May 2027 in Dresden, Germany, and will be hosted by the Center for Membrane Biology and Lipid Research at Technical University Dresden.

Lipidomics is one of the fastest-growing omics disciplines, with applications spanning bioanalytical chemistry, lipid biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical research, and clinical translation. The rapid expansion of the field is reflected in the increasing number of research projects that rely on mass spectrometry (MS)-based lipidomics as a core technology for enabling fundamental biological discoveries and providing clinically relevant insights into human disease. However, lipidomics remains a technically demanding discipline that requires specialized training to ensure accurate, reproducible, and robust data generation and interpretation.

This course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of current strategies for lipidome analysis, data processing, and integrative data interpretation. It is designed as an advanced educational and training platform for biochemists, cell biologists, clinicians, analytical chemists, and computational scientists working in lipid research and MS-based lipidomics.

Participants will be guided through all major steps of the modern lipidomics workflow, from experimental design and sample preparation to the selection of appropriate MS acquisition strategies, data processing, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation. The course will highlight recent methodological advances, including structural lipidomics and mass spectrometry imaging, providing both a solid theoretical foundation and hands-on training in state-of-the-art lipidomics technologies.

A central objective of the course is to promote interdisciplinary exchange and networking among early-career researchers, advanced PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and leading international experts in lipidomics. The program combines lectures, focused tutorials, interactive question-and-answer sessions, and hands-on laboratory training to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of advanced lipidomics technologies and their broad applications in modern lipid research.

The website for this course is under construction. Read this for more information from the co-organizers.

Organizers: Maria Fedorova, Valerie O'Donnell, Rosario Domingues