Visualising Life – Interdisciplinary Approaches to Biology

Overview

After a two-year-hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School will be taking place again this summer.

As in the previous edition, the 2022 Summer School will focus on Visualising Life. The programme will introduce students with non-biology background to the dynamic interdisciplinary world of current biology research.

Modern life science has benefitted tremendously from new technologies and concepts in physics, engineering and mathematics, while computer science has changed the way we can analyze and exploit data for new insights.

Are you eager to engage in these ideas and help shape the future of biology? Join us for an exciting 2-week course at one of the leading biology research institutions in Europe.

Course aim

The program’s aim is to provide insightful and hands-on experience in current biology methods, such as building a high-speed microscope to image developing organisms, and using machine learning to extract insightful data from the resulting complex images. EMBL group leaders and PhD students will lead theoretical lectures, complemented by experimental practicals and stimulating discussion rounds. In addition, the program offers a myriad of social activities that foster a collaborative spirit, which is a hallmark of research at EMBL.

Target group

Our programme targets advanced Bachelor and Master students from Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science searching for a graduate-level program (e.g. Master or PhD). Students should have a strong interest to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and must be fluent in English.
Previous knowledge of biology is beneficial, but not required.

With profound thanks to the Manfred Lautenschläger-Stiftung

Scientific Organisers

EMBL Group Leaders

Aissam Ikmi

Group Leader

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Anna Kreshuk

Group Leader

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Robert Prevedel

Group Leader

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Timo Zimmermann

Team Leader

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PhD Students

Soham Basu, Anusha Gopalan and Mukthi Iyer

Application

Deadline for applications: 30 April 2022

The summer school is limited to 20 participants.

Motivation letter and CV

For selection purposes, you are required to submit a motivation letter and a CV. In order to ensure a fair and equal selection process, please refrain from adding a photo to your CV. Applications without a CV or motivation letter will not be considered.

Instructions

1. Include your relevant skills, experience and qualifications showing why you would be suitable for this summer school.
2. Explain why you would like to attend, including:

• what you can contribute
• how you think you will benefit from the summer school

You will be able to edit your motivation letter until the deadline: 30 April 2022.

Financial support

Travel grants and fee waivers are available for the Summer School participants.

The travel grant will cover the cost of travel up to a maximum (economy tickets only).
The fee waiver will cover the cost of the registration fee.

You can apply for financial support when submitting your motivation letter.

Confirmation and Payment

Registration fee: 200 EUR

The registration fee includes:

• admission and materials
• accommodation
• local transportation
• meals and coffee breaks at EMBL Heidelberg

Payment of the registration fee will be possible only once your application has been accepted. Selection results will be notified by beginning of May.

Programme

Impressions

Feedback from 2019 participants

“The summer school provided me with invaluable insight of how my background in computer science can be useful in an interdisciplinary research setting. I loved the hands-on approach; building a high speed imaging microscope, and tried some machine learning. Combined with talks held by PhD students and group leaders we always had an opportunity to ask questions; from how life is under the microscope or at EMBL. The international participants where also a blast to get to know and make you feel less intimidated by such hard working but friendly scientists. By going to the summer school I have broadened my horizons and feel excited to see where my studies can take me.”

Christopher Vibe, Norway

“I loved the enthusiasm of the speakers and the social events in the evening in particular, they gave us a chance to unwind after a long day. I think it has widened my eyes more to studying for my PhD in another country which I hadn’t really considered before the school and studying a PhD in microbiology which I didn’t think was possible before as my degree is in Mechatronic Engineering.”

Andrew Wilson, Ireland

“I had never thought of coming to a Molecular Biology Lab and realizing I can actually work here. My Physics isn’t really useless in a Biology lab. I loved the freedom EMBL gives to the students. The hands-on practicals were the best. One is allowed to have new ideas and is given the resources to work on them. I would definitely want to pursue my Ph.D. in EMBL after this.”

Jyoti Sain, India

“What I liked best about the summer school was that I felt like I was a part of this scientific comunity. Everyone was extremely friendly and they were open to any kind of question. The summer school showed me many different research paths that I didn’t know I could take. This was the first time I took part in a course outside my university and it was the best experience I had so far.”

Georgia-Maria Kefala, Greece

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