91ÁÔÆæ

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