SymbNET Metabolomics Workshop for Biologists:
Metabolite-data driven stories on Host-Microbe Symbioses
University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
June 6 - 8, 2023
About
The focus of this workshop is on the application of metabolomics to the study of host-microbiome interactions. Metabolomics has evolved into a powerful quantitative and high-throughput phenotyping approach which allows researchers to measure metabolite abundances and deduce pathway activity (through labeling assays), thereby facilitating the study of metabolic mechanisms, from model systems to human population studies. The metabolome encompasses small molecules - metabolites that in addition to being downstream products of gene and protein activity also have a far-reaching activity in the regulation of gene and protein expression and biological processes in general (e.g., cell growth, differentiation, activation, proliferation). Information contained in metabolites provides a direct, sensitive, and dynamic read out of cellular activity, i.e., phenotype at the molecular level. In the context of host-microbiome symbioses, metabolic profiling constitutes an essential tool to elucidate the chemical communication between the host and its microbiome and thereby, their mutual benefits and impact on the organismal fitness.
With this Metabolomics workshop we wish to provide students and young researchers an overview of the metabolomics workflow, approaches, and challenges (“from samples to data”) with a strong focus on data interpretation and visualization (“from data to biologically relevant information”). The idea of the workshop is to showcase how to extract meaningful information from the acquired data and interpret it in the biochemically and physiologically relevant context. Finally, we wish to create the opportunity for interaction among metabolomics experts and scientists who want to apply these methods in their research.
Each participant is expected to present a poster on her/his own research project at the workshop. Poster sessions will be organized during lunch and aperitif breaks.
The workshop is organized as a three-day event, with at least 16 lecturers and 25 places for participants.
Audience
International Master and PhD students, Postdocs, and other researchers in academia studying or interested in applying metabolomics or lipidomics in their research projects.
We aim to have students from different nationalities and backgrounds.
15 places are reserved for students from the SymbNET partner institutes (FCG-IGC, ITQB NOVA, EMBL, CAU, and UNIL).
Venue
Dorigny Campus, 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
Application and Selection
Applications should be submitted here until April 21st (23:59 CEST).
Applicants should submit an Abstract (max. 300 words) on their research project to present at the poster session and a motivation paragraph (two to three sentences to explain why they wish to attend).
We are committed to admitting talented students from diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds from Europe and beyond.
15 places are reserved for students from the SymbNET partner institutes (FCG-IGC, ITQB NOVA, EMBL, CAU, and UNIL).
Registration Fee and Sponsoring
The workshop attendance is free of charge.
For researchers from SymbNET partner institutes (other than UNIL), including FCG-IGC, ITQB NOVA, EMBL, and CAU, the travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the SymbNET program.
Lunch and coffee breaks will be offered and organized jointly with the NCCR Microbiomes program.
Accommodation and Travel
Hotels will be within walking distance from the venue or reachable by public transport within 15 min.
Housing for researchers of the SymbNET partner institutes will be organized and sponsored by UNIL.
Travel for researchers of the SymbNET partner institutes will be organized and sponsored by the corresponding home institutes.
Contact
For further information and administrative support please contact the organizers at symbnet@igc.gulbenkian.pt.