Edit
Quantitative proteomics: strategies and tools to probe biology – Course and Conference Office

EMBO Practical Course

Quantitative proteomics: strategies and tools to probe biology

Overview

Course overview

Proteomic technologies continue to develop at a rapid pace, offering the potential to address imminent questions in a range of biological research areas. Mass spectrometry has become widely accessible to many biologists, either through core facilities or scientific collaborations.

Because quantitative proteomics includes a variety of specialised technologies and workflows, each with specific advantages and limitations, this hands-on practical course aims to train biologists on how to best integrate these evolving proteomics technologies into their own research. To achieve this, expert tutors will offer hands-on training in the analysis, interpretation, and statistical evaluation of various types of proteomic data through teaching methodological concepts integrated with software-driven data analysis strategies. This is complemented by theoretical training in concepts and methods, presentations to illustrate application in various biological areas, and a group challenge where applicants apply the acquired knowledge. Finally, emerging topics in the field will be presented by leading experts in immuno-peptidomics, structural proteomics, and innovative ion mobility-assisted proteomics.

Audience

This course is aimed at researchers who know the basics of proteomics and who want to get a deeper understanding of quantitative methodologies, and at those who are familiar with wet-lab proteomic experimentation but want to gain experience in bioinformatic data interpretation. To enter the course a basic understanding of mass spectrometry-based proteomics is beneficial.

Modules/resources

  • The principles of proteome quantification by stable isotope labelling (SILAC and TMT), label-free, and targeted proteomics
  • Introduction how various types of mass spectrometers can be used for proteome quantification
  • Computer training sessions using software tools for the analysis of various quantitative proteomic data types
  • Lectures demonstrating the application of quantitative proteomics in biology, clinical research and drug discovery

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the principles and use cases of quantitative proteomic methods
  • Ability to design quantitative proteomic experiments, including selection of the most appropriate hardware and software
  • Ability to analyse quantitative proteomic data with various software tools

This event has been granted the following EMBO sustainability badge:

Grade 3 of 3

Speakers

Speakers, trainers, and staff

Miriam Abele

Technical University Munich (TUM)

Germany

Michal Bassani-Sternberg

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Switzerland

Ute Distler

Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz

Germany

Dominic Helm

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

Germany

Yi (Leo) Hsiao

University of Michigan Medical School

United States of America

Wolfgang Huber

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Jeroen Krijgsveld

German Cancer Research Center

and Heidelberg University

Germany

Christina Ludwig

Technical University Munich (TUM)

Germany

Lennart Martens

VIB, Ghent University

Belgium

Julia Mergner

Technical University Munich (TUM)

Germany

Shabaz Mohammed

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

(Virtual speaker)

Alexey Nesvizhskii

University of Michigan Medical School

United States of America

Paola Picotti

ETH Zurich

Switzerland

Mikhail Savitski

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Sarah Szvetecz

Northeastern University

United States of America

Olga Vitek

Northeastern University

United States of America

Scientific organisers

Jeroen Krijgsveld

German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University

Germany

Christina Ludwig

Technical University of Munich

Germany

Mikhail Savitski

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Course organisers

Swetlana Krez

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Aline Schnieder

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Preliminary programme

Are you on social media? Post using #EMBOQuantPro and don’t forget to tag @EMBLEvents.

  • Some speakers may need to join virtually to give their lecture or Q&A, and the programme is subject to change.
Day 1 – Sunday 9 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
13:45 – 14:00Arrival and registrationCourtyard Room A & B
14:00 – 14:15Welcome and housenotesCourtyard Room A & B
14:15 – 15:00Introduction: Quantitative proteomics for biology
Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center, Germany
Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany
Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
15:00 – 16:00Flash talks 1 (odd numbers)Courtyard Room A & B
16:00 – 16:30Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
16:30 – 18:00Poster session with drinks and snacks (odd numbers)Helix B
18:00 – 19:00DinnerEMBL Canteen
Day 2 – Monday 10 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:00Lecture: MS technologies
Dominic Helm – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
10:00 – 10:30Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
10:30 – 11:30Remote lecture: Peptide chromatography in proteomics
Shabaz Mohammed – University of Oxford, UK
Courtyard Room A & B
11:30 – 12:30Lecture: Peptide and protein identification
Lennart Martens -VIB-UGent Center for Medical
Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium
Courtyard Room
A & B
12:30 – 13:30LunchEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 15:00Practical session 1: Peptide and protein identification
Lennart Martens -VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium
+4 trainers
Computer Training Lab
15:00 – 15:30Coffee breakComputer Training Lab
15:30 – 17:00Practical session 1 (cont): Peptide and protein identification
Lennart Martens -VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium
+4 trainers
Computer Training Lab
17:00 – 18:00Flash talks 1 (even numbers)Courtyard Room
A & B
18:00 – 18:45Pizza dinnerHelix B
18:45 – 20:15Poster Session with drinks and snacks (even numbers)Helix B
Day 3 – Tuesday 11 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:30Lecture: Introduction to label-free quantitative proteomics
Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
10:30 – 11:00Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
11:00 – 12:30Practical session 2: Label-free protein quantification using Skyline
Miriam Abele – Technical University Munich, Germany
Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany
Julia Mergner – Technical University Munich, Germany
+2 trainers
Computer Training Lab
12:30 – 13:30LunchEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 15:30Practical session 2 (cont): Label-free protein quantification using Skyline
Miriam Abele – Technical University Munich, Germany
Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany
Julia Mergner – Technical University Munich, Germany
+2 trainers
Computer Training Lab
15:30 – 16:00Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
16:00 – 17:00Application talk 1: Versatility of SILAC labeling to understand proteome dynamics
Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
17:00 – 21:00Social activity
Day 4 – Wednesday 12 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayComputer Training lab
09:00 – 10:00Lecture: Introduction to FragPipe computational proteomics platform
Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA
Computer Training lab
10:00 – 10:30Coffee breakComputer Training Lab
10:30 – 12:00Practical session 3: Analysis of quantitative proteomics data and PTM data with MSFragger and FragPipe
Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA
+4 trainers
Computer Training Lab
12:00 – 13:00LunchEMBL Canteen
13:00 – 14:30Practical session 3 (cont): Analysis of quantitative proteomics data and PTM data with MSFragger and FragPipe
Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA
+4 trainers
Computer Training Lab
14:30 – 15:00Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
15:00 – 16:00Application talk 2: Biophysical proteomics
Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
16:00 – 17:00Open panel discussion (agenda to be set by course participants)Courtyard Room A & B
17:00 – 18:00Good practices in science
Wolfgang Huber – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
18:00Free evening
Day 5 – Thursday 13 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:30Lecture: Introduction to statistical analysis of proteomics data
Olga Vitek – Northeastern University, USA
Computer Training lab
10:30 – 11:00Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
11:00 – 12:30Practical session 4: Statistical analysis of proteomics data using MSStats
Olga Vitek – Northeastern University, USA
Sarah Szvetecz – Northeastern University, USA
+3 trainers
Computer Training Lab
12:30 – 13:30LunchEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 15:30Practical session 4 (cont.): Statistical analysis of proteomics data using MSStats
Olga Vitek – Northeastern University, USA
Sarah Szvetecz – Northeastern University, USA
+3 trainers
Computer Training Lab
15:30 – 16:00Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
16:00 – 17:00Application talk 3: Ion Mobility-Assisted Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry
Ute Distler – Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Germany
Courtyard Room A & B
17:00 – 22:30Guided city tour & dinner downtown
Day 6 – Friday 14 March 2025
Time (Europe/Berlin)SpeakerLocation
08:55 – 09:00Overview of the dayCourtyard Room A & B
09:00 – 10:00Application talk 4: Antigen discovery using mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics
Michal Bassani-Sternberg – Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Switzerland
Courtyard Room A & B
10:00 – 10:30Coffee breakCourtyard Room A & B
10:30 – 12:30Group Challenge – Proteomics research topicCourtyard Room A & B
12:30 – 13:30LunchEMBL Canteen
13:30 – 14:30Presentations from breakout session & Panel discussionCourtyard Room A & B
14:30 – 15:30Application talk 5: Structural proteomics
Paola Picotti – ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Courtyard Room A & B
15:30 – 15:45Course debrief and feedback with participantsCourtyard Room A & B
15:45Departure

Practical information

Registration fees and motivation letter

The course is limited to 24 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.

This EMBO course includes accommodation and transportation to and from the ISG Hotel to the venue

Academia€500
PhD Student€500
Industry€1100

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 in twin rooms, including breakfast is included in the registration fee. Accomodation has been booked for you at the ISG Hotel for the default dates of 9 to 14 March 2024 ( 5 nights). In case you would like to have a single room, please let the hotel know and please note that you will be required to pay an additional cost of 32€ per night (availability of single rooms may be limited). This should be paid by you directly to the ISG during your stay. Any additional nights need to be booked and paid for by you.

We recommend that all course participants stay at the ISG 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.

Technical requirements and event software

Event software

The EMBL eCampus learning platform will be used to collaborate, communicate and network with all of the course participants. All participants will receive information on how to join shortly before the course. We recommend using Chrome, Safari or Mozilla Firefox browsers for eCampus. 

Additional information

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

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 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.

Social 1080×1920
Social 1080×1080
Social 1600×900
PPT Slide 16×9

Date: 9 - 14 Mar 2025

Location: EMBL Heidelberg

Venue: EMBL Advanced Training Centre


Deadline(s):

Application: 25 Nov 2024


Organisers:

  • Jeroen Krijgsveld
    GERMAN CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE (DKFZ), GERMANY

What's new on our blog

Edit