91ÁÔÆæ

Sphingolipids are well-established regulators of cellular organization, signalling, metabolism, and disease. Far from serving solely as structural membrane components, these molecules actively shape membrane properties, coordinate communication between organelles, integrate metabolic and environmental signals, and influence cellular fate. At the same time, advances in lipidomics, chemical biology, spatial mass spectrometry, biosensors, and high-resolution imaging are revealing an increasingly complex and dynamic sphingolipid landscape.

The 4^th edition of the 91ÁÔÆæ Special Meeting on Sphingolipid Biology: Architects of the Cellular Landscape will provide a focused international forum for presenting and discussing the latest developments in the field. The meeting will bring together researchers working across structural biophysics, membrane biology, lipid metabolism, systems biology, and pathophysiology, fostering dialogue between disciplines that have traditionally approached sphingolipid biology from different perspectives.

The scientific programme will explore the molecular and analytical tools transforming sphingolipid research, the role of sphingolipids in membrane asymmetry and trafficking, their contribution to organelle communication and cellular architecture, and their function as metabolic circuits controlling cellular decisions. It will address how disruption of these processes contributes to human diseases while highlighting emerging opportunities for therapeutic intervention. A forward-looking final session will create space to discuss unexpected findings, unresolved questions, methodological limitations, and new directions for the field.

Extended discussion periods, poster sessions, flash presentations, and interactive panels will promote active participation across career stages, giving early-career researchers opportunities to engage with established investigators and contribute to the scientific dialogue. By combining broad scientific coverage with an inclusive and highly interactive format, the meeting aims to support the next generation of Sphingolipid researchers and help shape future directions in the field.

The meeting will take place from 6–11 June 2027 at the MH Atlântico Congress Centre in Peniche, Portugal. Its integrated conference and accommodation setting will provide an ideal environment for scientific exchange and informal interaction throughout the week.

We look forward to welcoming you to Peniche for an inspiring week of science!

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

Organizers: Liana C. Silva, Chris Clarke & Giovanni D’Angelo

Biological surfaces and interfaces represent a highly interdisciplinary domain at the intersection of biophysics, cell biology, materials science, bioengineering, and nanomedicine. These dynamic interfaces play essential roles in biological function and provide the foundation for innovative biomedical technologies. While significant advances have been achieved in the fundamental areas such as understanding molecular interactions and designing functional materials, progress in the field is often disrupted by the limited crosstalk between the different disciplines hindering translational efforts.

The 2027 Joint 91ÁÔÆæ/EMBO Lecture Course on ‘Biological surfaces and interfaces – Applications, challenges, and opportunities across disciplines’ aims to bridge this gap by bringing together leading and early-career researchers as well as industry innovators in a distinctively designed meeting to exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and explore emerging opportunities across the life science and engineering.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the course continues its tradition of fostering an interactive and collaborative environment for participants. In its latest edition, participants will explore topics such as:

• Biomedical devices and implants
• Bioprinting and tissue engineering
• Nanoparticles applications at the biointerface
• Tools for understanding the biointerface

The course will also highlight a broad range of applications including targeted drug delivery, precision diagnostics, biosensors, and responsive therapeutic systems. Through lectures, poster sessions, panel discussions, and scientific interactions, participants will learn about current challenges, emerging technologies, and future directions in this rapidly evolving field along with the regulatory challenges and ethical considerations in translation efforts.

The meeting will take place at Sant Feliu de Guixols, Girona, Spain, a captivating mediterranean setting that combines a stimulating scientific atmosphere with informal discussions, collaboration, and networking.

By bringing together diverse perspectives, this joint 91ÁÔÆæ/EMBO course reflects the shared missions of 91ÁÔÆæ and EMBO which is promoting excellence in molecular life sciences, catalyzing collaboration, and accelerating the translation of fundamental discoveries into impactful biomedical solutions.

The website for this course is under construction.

Abstract submission deadline: 30 November 2026
Application deadline: 28 February 2027

Organizers: Simona Sennato, Rami Mhanna, Fouzia Bano, Jenny Malmstrom