The cellular mechanics of symbiosis: sensing friend from foe

Overview

This conference will take place at EMBL Heidelberg, with the option to attend virtually.

Registration is not yet open for this event. If you are interested in receiving more information please register your interest.

Symposium overview

Host-microbe interactions can be positive or negative for both a host organism and its symbiotic microbes. Interacting with microbes can allow eukaryotes to acquire crucial functions such as metabolite synthesis or production of defensive chemicals. However, such interactions are often pathogenic in nature.

This cross-disciplinary meeting picks up where the well-received first edition in 2023 left off and will bring together scientists using cellular, molecular, ecological, physiological, and theory-based approaches to explore the evolution of intimate species-species interactions. The aim is to understand the cellular systems, metabolic pathways and ecological circumstances that drive transitions in symbiotic states, for example, as partnerships move from pathogenesis to beneficial and back again. One key theme that will be addressed is how hosts distinguish friend from foe. What biological functions- from protein-protein interactions to whole organism behaviours- allow an organism to engage in stable symbiotic interactions. Conversely, which functions ensure partner fidelity and specificity in symbiosis. Such insights will help to understand the complexities of symbiotic function.

What past participants say about the conference

“I am actually sad that an EMBL conference was the first in-person international conference I attended during my PhD because now the bar is set so high for other conferences! I applaud the organizers and EMBL for putting together such an amazing event, and I look forward to attending my next EMBL conference.” – Emma Kaszecki, Trent University, Canada

“‘The cellular mechanics of symbiosis’ was the best conference I’ve attended. I learned so much, met so many great researchers, and got a new perspective on my own work.” – Gulnara Tagirdzhanova, The Sainsbury Laboratory, UK

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities

We offer a variety of event sponsoring possibilities, with the flexibility to select a set sponsorship package or combine individual sponsorship options to suit your event budget. Discounts are available for companies sponsoring multiple events at EMBL Heidelberg. View other conferences, or contact sponsorship@embl.de for further information.

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About

EMBO | EMBL Symposia promote scientific communication and collaboration in the European research area. They provide scientists with a platform to discuss and exchange ideas on forward-looking topics and new developments in the life sciences.

Topics emphasise upcoming developments and the interdisciplinary nature of related fields. Jointly funded and organised by EMBO and EMBL – and complementary to their respective courses, workshops, and conference programmes – the symposia promote scientific communication and collaboration.

All symposia are held in the EMBL Advanced Training Centre (ATC) in Heidelberg, Germany, or virtually.