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Advanced deep learning for image analysis – Course and Conference Office

EMBL Course

Advanced deep learning for image analysis

Overview

Course overview

The advent of deep learning has brought a revolution in the field of computer vision, including most tasks and research questions concerned with microscopy image analysis. Neural networks have been successfully used for image restoration, classification and segmentation, for the detection of objects and characterisation of their morphology, and for high-throughput imaging and large-scale processing in 3D. Despite these advances, training and deployment of such neural networks remains difficult for practitioners of image analysis. The aim of our course is to close this gap and teach the participants, in the most hands-on way possible, to apply deep learning-based methods to their own data and image analysis problems.

This time, we aim not to start from scratch but to address participants who already had their first experience training a network in their own code, either in a course or through their own experimentation. Together, we will troubleshoot and debug, evaluate more advanced methods and learn about the state-of-the-art in the field.

Audience

This course is aimed at both core facility staff and research scientists. Prerequisites for this workshop are programming experience in Python, including solid knowledge of operations with images and first experience of applying deep learning algorithms.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the fundamentals of applying deep learning to image analysis in microscopy
  • Learn where the state-of-the-art of the field stands for the most important image analysis problems
  • Advise users/colleagues in strategies to obtain ground truth
  • Select and train a neural network on a bioimage analysis task
  • Devise a validation strategy for the results

Modules / resources

  1. Segmentation, for 2D and 3D, from scratch and finetuning
  2. Tracking
  3. Generative models, for image restoration and beyond

What past participants say about the course

“I attended the Deep Learning course and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. The venue, the instructors, the content and the organization was excellent. Social interactions were on par, definitely a great experience.” – Alberto Díez, CEMIR – NTNU, Norway

“I recently attended the ‘Deep learning for Image analysis’ course at EMBL and I cannot
express enough how immensely useful, informative and enjoyable it was. The course not only gives the participants a complete overview and understanding of existing tools and techniques through lectures given by experts in the field, but it also provides them with the opportunity to apply these techniques on their own data and scientific problem. I really appreciated the overall hands-on approach and I am extremely grateful for the trainers help throughout the practicals.”
– Camille Lambert, EPFL, Switzerland

Speakers

Speakers, trainers, and staff

Anwai Archit

University of Göttingen

Germany

Elena Buglakova

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Albert Dominguez Mantes

EPFL

Switzerland

Anna Foix-Romero

EMBL-EBI

United Kingdom

Jan Funke

HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus

USA

Jean-Karim Hériché

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Florian Jug

Human Technopole

Italy

Anna Kreshuk

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Alexander Krull

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom

Constantin Pape

University of Göttingen

Germany

Hyoungjun “Peter” Park

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Ruggiero Santeramo

Human Technopole

Italy

Yi Sun

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Joshua Talks

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Martin Weigert

Dresden University of Technology

Germany

Igor Zubarev

Human Technopole

Italy

Scientific organisers

Florian Jug

Human Technopole

Italy

Anna Kreshuk

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Constantin Pape

University of Göttingen

Germany

Martin Weigert

Dresden University of Technology

Germany

Course organisers

Catherine Casas-Saavedra

Course and Conference Officer

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Ellen Malovrh

Scientific Training Officer

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Preliminary programme

Got something to say? Tweet it! #EMBLDeepLearning 

  • Pre-course work will be needed ahead of the three mandatory virtual webinars that will take place before the course. Further details will be shared in advance of the course and materials will be available on the EMBL eCampus platform.
  • The purpose of the webinars is to get everyone to the level from which we can start trying things on real data.
  • Programme is preliminary and subject to change
Pre-course webinar 1

Monday, 13 January 2025

Pre-course webinar 2

Monday, 20 January 2025

Pre-course webinar 3

Monday, 3 February 2025

Day 1 – Monday 17 February 2025

Time (Europe/Berlin)SessionLocation
08:40 – 08:55Bus from ISG hotel to EMBL ATC EntranceISG Hotel
08:55 – 09:20Arrival and registrationCourtyard Room A & B
09:20 – 09:40Welcome, house notes and course overviewCourtyard Room A & B
09:40 – 10:40Participants present their data and problem at hand
(2 min each)
Courtyard Room A & B
10:40 – 11:10Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
11:10 – 12:10TAs present themselves and the problems they are working onCourtyard Room A & B
12:10 – 13:00LunchEMBL Canteen
13:00 – 14:00Lecture: Useful tricks, tools and practices (interactive session)
Florian Jug – Human Technopole, Italy
Anna Kreshuk – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Constantin Pape – University of Göttingen, Germany
Martin Weigert – Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
14:00 – 18:00Practical: Focus on Own Data I
18:00 – 19:00DinnerEMBL Canteen
19:00 – 19:15Bus to ISG HotelATC entrance

Day 2 – Tuesday 18 February 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SessionLocation
08:40 – 08:55Bus from ISG hotel to EMBL ATC EntranceISG Hotel
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the day – SegmentationCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:00Lecture: Segmentation
Anna Kreshuk – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
10:00 – 10:15Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
10:15 – 11:00Lecture: Existing segmentation tools and how to extend them
TBC
Courtyard Room A & B
11:00 – 11:30Coffee break and discussionCourtyard Room A & B
11:30 – 12:30Practical: Focus on own data IICourtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
12:30 – 13:30LunchEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 18:00Practical: Focus on own data IICourtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
18:00 – 19:00DinnerEMBL Canteen
19:00 – 19:15Bus to ISG HotelATC entrance

Day 3 – Wednesday 19 February 2025

Time (Europe/Berlin)SessionLocation
08:40 – 08:55Bus from ISG hotel to EMBL ATC EntranceISG Hotel
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the day – TransformerCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:00Lecture: Introduction to Transformers and applications
Constantin Pape – University of Göttingen, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
10:00 – 10:15Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
10:15 – 11:00Lecture: Transformers for tracking
Martin Weigert – Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
11:00 – 11:30Coffee break and discussionCourtyard Room A & B
11:30 – 12:30Practical: Focus on Own Data III or FlexProject I (play with transformers)Courtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
12:30 – 13:20LunchEMBL Canteen
13:20 – 13:35Group photo
13:35 – 17:55Practical: Focus on Own Data III or FlexProject I (play with transformers)Courtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
17:55 – 18:25Bus to DowntownATC entrance
18:25 – 19:55Free timeHeidelberg Downtown
19:55 – 21:55Dinner DowtownTBC

Day 4 – Thursday 20 February 2025

Time (Europe/Berlin)SessionLocation
08:40 – 08:55Bus from ISG hotel to EMBL ATC EntranceISG Hotel
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the day – GenerativeAICourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:00Lecture: Introduction to Generative models
Alexander Krull- University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Courtyard Room A & B
10:00 – 10:15Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
10:15 – 11:00Lecture: Generative models for image restoration, channel unmixing and other tasks
Florian Jug – Human Technopole, Italy
Courtyard Room A & B
11:00 – 11:30Coffee break and discussionCourtyard Room A & B
11:30 – 12:30Practical: Focus on Own Data IV or Flex Project II (play with generative models)Courtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
12:30 – 13:30Lunch breakEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 18:00Practical: Focus on Own Data IV or Flex Project II (play with generative models)Courtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
18:00 – 18:45Pizza dinnerATC Rooftop Lounge
18:45 – 19:45Roundtable discussion – Technologies to watchATC Rooftop Lounge
19:45 – 20:00Bus to ISG HotelATC entrance

Day 5 – Friday 21 February 2025

Time (Europe/Berlin)SessionLocation
08:40 – 08:55Bus from ISG hotel to EMBL ATC EntranceISG Hotel
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 09:45Practical: ConclusionCourtyard Room A & B
10:05 – 10:35Coffee break and discussionCourtyard Room A & B
10:35 – 12:05Preparation for group presentationCourtyard Room A & B, Flex Lab A, Flex Lab B, Computer Training Lab
12:05 – 12:50LunchEMBL Canteen
12:50 – 14:20Group activity: Presentations by the participants: what worked, what didn’t, what could be done nextCourtyard Room A & B
14:20 – 14:40Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
14:40 – 16:10Group activity: Presentations by the participants: what worked, what didn’t, what could be done nextCourtyard Room A & B
16:10 – 16:25Wrap-up and DeparturesCourtyard Room A & B
16:25 – 16:45Bus to Heidelberg Train StationATC entrance

Practical information

Registration fees and motivation letter

The course is limited to 20 participants. For selection purposes, please note that your application will not be considered without a letter of motivation.

Registration

Registration fees include admission, course materials, meals and coffee breaks. Participants are expected to book and pay their own accommodation and travel expenses. 

Academia€715
PhD Student€715
Industry€1200

A letter to support your visa application will be issued, on request, once payment of the registration fee is confirmed. We recommend that you book your visa appointment as soon as possible, to avoid any delay with your visa application.

Confirmation and payment

The registration fee should be paid only after acceptance to the course. The results will be announced approximately 2-3 weeks after the application deadline.

Motivation letter submission

After you have logged in and successfully registered, you will receive an email asking you to submit your motivation letter. Click on the link provided and enter your motivation letter in the text box provided. Alternatively you can submit your motivation letter by clicking on the link on the confirmation page directly after registering.

Instructions

  1. Include your relevant skills, experience and qualifications showing why you would be suitable for the course.
  2. Explain why you would like to attend, including what you can contribute and how you think you will benefit from the course.

Please note:

  • The limit of 2000 characters refers to manually typed text and excludes spaces. If an error occurs try using a different web browser (preferably Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox).
  • If you copy-paste the text into the form, hidden formatting might still be included which may cause the text to exceed the 2,000 character limit resulting in an error message. We recommend you clear all formatting before pasting in the text.
  • If you have special symbols in your text, make sure you are using Unicode characters, otherwise these will not be recognised.

For detailed instructions, please watch our video on how to submit a course motivation letter.

Further details

For further information about registration and motivation letter submission please refer to the FAQ page.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance

Limited financial assistance is provided by the EMBL Advanced Training Centre Corporate Partnership Programme and EMBO in the form of registration fee waiverstravel grants and childcare grants

Your place in the meeting is only confirmed by paying the registration fee, which is mandatory even when receiving a fee waiver.

Registration fee waiver

The fee waiver will cover the registration sum that you have paid to attend the course.

Travel grant

The travel grant will cover the cost of travel (airfare, train, bus, taxi, accommodation, visa, and/or registration fees*) and is provided up to specified caps which are normally as follows:

– up to €400 for participants travelling to an EMBL Course within Europe.

– up to €1000 for participants travelling to an EMBL Course from outside Europe.

– up to €500 for any participant travelling to an EMBO Practical Course.

– up to €1000 for any participant working in Chile, India, Singapore or Taiwan travelling to an EMBO Practical Course.

– up to €700 for any participant working in Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, and Turkey travelling to an EMBO Practical Course.

*Registration fees are only covered for EMBO Practical Courses

The organisers may reduce the grant cap to accommodate more participants. Recipients will be notified of their travel cap amount when they are informed of the outcome of their application. Original receipts must be provided with your signature for all costs incurred within two months of completion of travel. Scanned copies cannot be accepted.

Childcare grants

There is the possibility to apply for a childcare grant to offset child care costs incurred by participants, speakers, trainers and organisers when attending a course. Eligible costs include (but are not limited to) fees for a babysitter or child-care facility and travel costs for a caregiver. Please note that priority will be given to early-stage researchers. There is a limited amount of funding available for the childcare grants and funds will be distributed amongst eligible applicants.

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds travel grant

Applies to selected courses only. Availability will be indicated during the abstract or motivation letter submission process.

This grant covers costs related to your attendance to the course (registration, travel and accommodation costs). The grant is restricted to PhD students and postdocs who conduct basic biomedical research.
Whether you are eligible to apply for a travel grant, depends on when you received your university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, A-Levels, High School Diploma, Final State Examination):

– for PhD and MD students, as well as graduates, the university entrance qualification must not have been obtained more than 11 years ago at the time of the envisaged course
– for postdocs, the university entrance qualification must not have been obtained more than 13 years ago at the time of the envisaged course

Application

If you are attending virtually, you can apply for financial assistance in the submission portal by the abstract deadline. Read the instructions on how to apply for financial assistance. Only submissions for financial assistance will be accepted. Presentation abstracts cannot be submitted here and will be declined. 

In your application you will be asked to summarise your current work,  answer questions regarding why your lab cannot fund your attendance, and how your attendance will make a difference to your career. Application for financial support will not affect the outcome of your registration application.

*For some events, applications for Childcare Grants will still be done by email. Information about the grant will be sent out shortly after the abstract/motivation letter deadline. Please contact the event Conference Officer if you have any questions.

Selection

The scientific organisers will select the recipients of registration fee waivers during the participant selection process for courses. Results will be announced approximately 6 – 8 weeks before the event start date, however for some events this may be delayed. Selection results do not impact your admission to the meeting. Selection for registration fee waivers and travel grants is based on scientific merit, your current work or study location, the reasons for needing financial support, and the impact this event will have on your career.

Childcare grants will be allocated in the same timeframe (6-8 weeks before the event start date). Please note that priority will be given to early-stage researchers.

Further details

Check out this list of external funding opportunities or get more information on attending the conference as an event reporter.

For further information about financial assistance please refer to the FAQ page.

Accommodation and travel

Hotel

Accommodation is not included in the registration fee. Participants are expected to book and pay for their own accommodation. A mix of single and twin rooms have been reserved for 5 nights from Sunday 16 to Friday 17 February at ISG hotel. Single rooms are limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. After the selection process, selected participants should contact the hotel directly to make a booking with the code MAC25-01 by the deadline of Thursday 16 January 2025.

We recommend that all course participants stay at the dedicated hotel for the course.

Travel information

For travel information, please see here.

If you are travelling to the conference within Germany then you are eligible for the Deutsche Bahn ‘Event Ticket’ (called the ‘Veranstaltungsticket’ in German). This will result in a lower ticket price if your travel distance to Heidelberg is more than 100 km. You need to provide proof of your event attendance when purchasing the ticket.

For more information in English see here or in German see here.

You can book your ticket here.

Local transport

Shuttle buses will go from the ISG Hotel to EMBL and back, mornings and evenings. A bus schedule and location of the bus stops will be made available prior to the meeting.

Further details

Address: EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

For more information about accommodation and travel, please refer to the FAQ page.

On-site information

Catering

All meals and coffee breaks are included in the registration fee. Our catering staff will prepare a wide variety of vegetarian meals, meat and fish dishes, soups, pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a variety of desserts.

Please wear your badge at all times when serving yourself.

No food or drinks are allowed in the laboratories.

Electricity and charging station

In most places the electricity is 220 volts AC (50 cycles). An adaptor and a plug that fits the German socket may be needed for your appliances/laptop (i.e. American, Japanese, etc.). A USB charging station for electronic devices is available at the registration desk..

EMBL Merchandise

If you are interested in purchasing EMBL merchandise (products presented in the glass display in the registration area), please email the EMBL shop to place an order or get in contact with your Course Organiser.

Kindly note the EMBL shop is only open upon request and all purchases must be made in cash (Euros only).

Health and safety notes

Please read EMBL’s COVID-19 safety policy for on-site events.
Do not smoke in any EMBL building.
Eating and drinking is prohibited in all laboratories.
Do not enter any restricted areas or the laboratories unless instructed to do so.

If first aid is required …

  • The first aid room is located next to the ATC Registration Desk (room 10- 205).
  • Dial the Emergency number 222 from any EMBL internal phone only.
  • Where is the accident? What happened? How many injured?
  • Emergency number 06221-387 7821 from mobile phones.
  • Please report all accidents to the conference officer at the registration desk.

In case of fire …

  • Press the nearest fire alarm button or the Emergency number 222 from any internal phone.
  • A loud fire alarm will go off if an evacuation is required. On hearing the alarm leave the building immediately following the escape route and fire wardens and head to one of the meeting points
  • Do not use the lifts.

Beyond first aid…

Please remember to bring your own medication, if needed, to the conference. Note that the next pharmacy is a 4-minute drive from the EMBL, but for many medications you will be required to see a doctor to get a prescription.

Ensure in advance that your medical insurance will cover you during your visit in the event that you do need to see a doctor while in Heidelberg. In any case, the EMBL Course and Conference Office will assist you to get to the pharmacy and a doctor of your choice if necessary.

Internet

Wi-Fi is available on campus. Log in using the EMBL-Events network and the event specific password, which will be provided on site. The eduroam network (secure, worldwide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community) is also available.

Lost and found

‘’Lost and Found’’ items are kept at the registration desk until the end of the conference.

Luggage

There are lockers available on-site to store your luggage, which require a 2 EURO coin to operate. There is another luggage room on level E0, which is free to use but remains unlocked during the conference.

Nursing room

There is a nursing room available in the ATC Rooftop Lounge on level A29.

Photography

During the conference, an EMBL Photographer may be taking photos. If you would not like to appear in these, please inform the photographer or a member of the Course and Conference Office.

Printing

We can help to print your boarding pass/train ticket. Please send it to events@embl.de and collect your print-outs at the registration desk.

Room for prayer, yoga, and meditation

There is a room for prayer, meditation, and yoga located on level E0 behind the Auditorium. Please be respectful of others using the room.

Sightseeing

A variety of activities in Heidelberg can be found on the website of Heidelberg Marketing.

Travel to and from the venue

During the event, we provide conference shuttle buses to and from EMBL. In addition, there is the public bus 39A that serves the EMBL campus and taxis can be easily booked at any time. Information on the shuttle buses can be found on the individual event website and more detailed information on travelling to EMBL can be found on our Travel Information page.

Additional information

Please find additional information including FAQs and terms and conditions on our Information for Participants page.

Sponsors

Media partners

Imaging and Microscopy, a Wiley magazine

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 events, or contact sponsorship@embl.de for further information.

If you are interested in becoming a media partner of this event, please visit our media partnerships webpage.

Warning

EMBL wishes to warn sponsors of EMBL conferences and courses of fraudulent schemes purporting to offer sponsorship opportunities on behalf of EMBL or affiliated with EMBL officials. One current scam campaign of which we are aware is conducted using the name ‘Judy Eastman’ (judy@gopcontact.a2hosted.com) and entails approaches to sponsors offering sponsorship opportunities on EMBL’s behalf. Please be kindly advised that all relevant communication regarding sponsorship of EMBL conferences, symposia and courses is handled by EMBL directly and is sent from an official EMBL account. EMBL does not work with any external providers on sponsorship acquisition.

Please also note that:

  • EMBL never provides attendee lists for purchase. Any offers of such are fraudulent.
  • EMBL will never call or email you to ask for your credit card details or to request a payment.
  • All payments are on invoice.

Suspicious communications purportedly from, for or on behalf of EMBL should be reported to EMBL at the following email address sponsorship@embl.de.

Media kit

Want to let others know you’re attending this event? Take a look at our shareable media and feel free to use them in your social media channels or presentations.

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Date: 17 - 21 Feb 2025

Location: EMBL Heidelberg

Venue: EMBL Advanced Training Centre


Deadline(s):

Closed


Organisers:

  • Anna Kreshuk
    EMBL Heidelberg, Germany

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