Visualising Life – Interdisciplinary Approaches to Biology

Overview

As in the previous edition, the 2025 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

Nicoletta Petridou

Group Leader

Petridou Group

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Thomas Quail

Group Leader

Quail Group

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Alejandro Torres-Sánchez

Group Leader

Torres-Sánchez Group

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Vikas Trivedi

Group Leader and Co-chair of Theory at EMBL Transversal Theme

Trivedi Group

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Timo Zimmermann

Team Leader

Zimmermann Team

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Matthew Benton

Senior Scientific Officer

Transgenic Service

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Joaquim Frigola Casals

Predoctoral Fellow

Torres-Sánchez Group

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Silvia Zanna

Predoctoral Fellow

Ikmi Group

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Application

Deadline for applications: Sunday 30 March 2025, 23:59 CEST.

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: Sunday 30 March 2025, 23:59 CEST.

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 mid- to late April.

Programme

The programme is still work in progress and the final programme for the 2025 Summer School will be confirmed later. The programme is likely to be similar to the 2024 edition of the Summer School.

Impressions

Feedback from 2024 participants

Out of the entire program, I was most impressed by the practical sessions, where I gained more than I expected. Given my mathematical background, I didn’t anticipate that we would be allowed to work hands-on with embryos of various fish and such advanced microscopes. It was very interesting to see how students from other STEM fields approach problem-solving and how we differ. Despite all our differences, I didn’t expect that we would all be so similar, considering we come from different parts of the world, and it was a pleasure to work in such an interdisciplinary environment. Participating in EMBL’s Lautenschläger Summer School greatly broadened my horizons regarding the directions my career can take, and it revealed niches I didn’t even know existed. The entire program was very well-structured, and I am extremely grateful for the amount of knowledge I gained during those two weeks.

Željka Baća, Croatia

Aside from having to experience the beautiful city of Heidelberg, the summer school’s practical sessions are one of the best parts of the program. Having first-hand experience with cutting-edge technology and working not just with the experts in the field but also with my fellow participants made the program more exciting and fulfilling. Another great thing is how fun and approachable the scientists are. They welcome everyone to talk about their research, just as much as they are open to talking about other things in general. I felt very comfortable connecting with them.
As a theoretical physics student, I have always focused on studying the field in its purest form. Never have I thought nor get interested in delving into other fields of science. But this summer school has shown me a whole new insight into the possibilities of my future—that through multidisciplinary sciences, we can improve knowledge building and get the chance to connect and work with amazing people of different backgrounds and experiences.

Bryan Miguel Tul-ao, The Philippines

I had a wonderful time at EMBL for two weeks. All the speakers and the organizing committee were very attentive and kind. The social activities organized for us were also very enjoyable. This summer school definitely allowed me to view biology from many different perspectives. I understood better after each lecture how interconnected all scientific fields are with each other. The EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School inspired me in my scientific journey and opened new horizons for my future studies. With participants from different backgrounds, group leaders, and Ph.D. students, the EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School was a unique experience for me!

Esin Yavaş, Türkiye

EMBL is really a wonderful place! It was great to see and learn the principles of the top-level fluorescence microscopes in the world, and very cool to build a simple fluorescence microscope on our own. The lectures and focus practicals were rich in content and have greatly broadened my horizons. Researchers here are very friendly and have shared many of their own experiences. It is very beneficial for me to see the interdisciplinary approaches to various bioinformatics problems. I major in computer science, and I am deeply impressed by the fact that my major can be integrated into fields of biology in so many interesting ways. This is a great encouragement for me and motivates me to learn more things I have never heard of before. In EMBL, I have obtained friendships, fundamental knowledge about bioinformatics, a different view of my career and an unforgettable experience.

Guchan Li, China

I am so happy I attended the summer school. It was a pleasure to meet the participants and the organizing committee. Learning about EMBL, the labs, and current research was fascinating and inspired me to apply for a PhD. Most lectures were interesting, and it was great that we had not only lectures but also practicals. I had a wonderful time. Visiting Heidelberg, Germany, for the first time was an added bonus. Overall, it was a fantastic experience!
P.S. The canteen was truly amazing!

Evgeniia Kostina, Russia

Feedback from 2023 participants

It was really a fantastic experience for me! Coming from a Physics background, it was new for me and I’m happy that I am taking back the importance of interdisciplinary science. I am really grateful to EMBL, the organizers, the tutors and my amazing colleagues who were supportive throughout the school! I will cherish the memories for a long time!!

Satvik Arya, India

Feedback from 2022 participants

I had an amazing time at the EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School. Not only did I learn a lot about biology and imaging, but it was also a lot of fun meeting people from many different countries and many different fields. I especially liked how you’re encouraged to talk with the experts informally, not just about the subject, but also about what it’s like to work at EMBL. I never expected to find so many people working there with backgrounds other than biology. Now that I’ve seen it firsthand, I definitely want to do a PhD at EMBL myself.

Eric Laudemann, Germany

I never thought that I would be able to participate for a summer camp at EMBL and gain a new and amazing experience on the different academic activities conducted. It was a rare opportunity in my life where I was able to actually realize one of my dreams. Although I had a good mathematical and physics background before participating in this summer camp, I really didn’t have a clear understanding on how biological concepts fits in with physics theories. I really got a good understanding on how these different subject areas interconnect with each other and why that is important for future research work. The learning environment was really amazing, everyone was very enthusiastic, friendly and how everyone collaborated together and helped each other out. I would definitely love to pursue my PhD at this laboratory and will be looking forward to apply once I complete my current degree course.

Sachin Chandrasekara, Sri Lanka

The summer school offered us a very enjoyable and warm learning environment – everyone was very friendly and encouraged our curiosity and questions, and the conversations during coffee breaks were never boring. The lectures introduced us to a broad range of ideas, while the practicals allowed us to tinker and experiment, with enough guidance to avoid being overwhelmed. I got to meet so many kind and interesting people, and the entire experience got me excited about science and helped me see how different disciplines can come together to solve a problem.

Jelena Zaninović, Croatia

EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School is a perfect place for young scientists from all fields. Getting together with people of different backgrounds to learn about and do science was an experience I will never forget. From building a microscope to preparing samples to imaging our animals and actually doing analysis on them was an absolute joy. Also getting to interact with so many Group leaders, Postdocs and PhD students to talk about their work during lunch breaks was so special. This school gave me a new perspective on interdisciplinary science and has given me so many new choices to consider for my future career.

Jakob Mäeots, Estonia

I came to the Summer School for knowledge, but I am taking home much more: a unique experience in multiple disciplines, cultural exchange within an international community, and new research perspectives and ideas. It certainly gives me more insights, opportunities for a future career, and connections with truly incredible people.

Polina Kostina, Russia

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

Contact

Anna-Kreetta Alasalmi

Programme Officer / Training & Events

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EMBL Heidelberg

Meyerhofstraße 1
69117 Heidelberg
Germany

Tel: +49 6221 387-8612
Fax: +49 6221 387-8400
Email: summerschool@embl.de