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Microtubules: from atoms to complex systems – Course and Conference Office

EMBO | EMBL Symposium

Microtubules: from atoms to complex systems

Overview

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

Symposium overview

This symposium, initiated in 2010 and held every two years since, brings together both early-career and established researchers from around the world who share an interest in microtubule biology and its relevance to human health and disease. It has grown into a central venue for fostering collaboration and exchanging new ideas in the field.

The microtubule cytoskeleton plays a vital role in diverse cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, vesicle and organelle transport, cell motility, and the establishment of polarity. When microtubule function is impaired, the consequences include human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, making microtubules key therapeutic targets. Recent advances have come from interdisciplinary approaches that integrate cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and mathematical modeling, greatly expanding the impact and scope of microtubule research.

As the field continues to diversify, the need for a strong, unifying meeting becomes increasingly important. This symposium addresses that need by bringing together researchers across disciplines and career stages. The program will feature inspiring keynote lectures, numerous short talks selected from submitted abstracts, dynamic poster sessions, and dedicated opportunities for networking and community building.

Session topics

  • Harnessing microtubules
  • Microtubule-based cell architecture
  • Microtubules in the nervous system
  • Microtubules inside neurons
  • Decoding Microtubules
  • Control of microtubule-based transport
  • Microtubules in cell division

Speakers

Keynote speakers

Martin Chalfie

Columbia University

USA

Michael L. Shelanski

Columbia University

USA

Speakers

Charlotte Aumeier

University of Geneva

Switzerland

Frank Bradke

German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Germany

Marcus Braun

Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences

Czech Republic

Alan Brown

Harvard University

USA

Eva Deinum

Wageningen University

The Netherlands

Jennifer DeLuca

Colorado State University

USA

Karin John

Université Grenoble-Alpes

France

Richard McKenney

University of California, Davis

USA

Pleasantine Mill

University of Edinburgh

UK

Binyam Mogessie

Yale University

USA

Guangshuo Ou

Tsinghua University

China

Pramod Pullarkat

Raman Research Institute

India

Laura Schaedel

Saarland University

Germany

Giampietro Schiavo

University College London

UK

Arp Schnittger

University of Hamburg

Germany

Mónica Sousa

i3s, University of Porto

Portugal

Radhika Subramanian

Massachusetts General Hospital

USA

Jin-Wu Tsai

National Yang-Ming University

Taiwan

Julie Welburn

University of Edinburgh

UK

Ahmet Yildiz

University of California, Berkeley

USA

Scientific Organisers

Carsten Janke

Institut Curie

France

Zdenek Lansky

Czech Academy of Sciences

Czech Republic

Francois Nedelec

University of Cambridge

UK

Kassandra Ori-Mckenney

University of California

USA

Conference organiser

Sophie Dutzi

EMBL Heidelberg

Germany

Preliminary Programme

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

  • Please note that the programme is subject to change. Some speakers may need to join virtually to give their talk.
  • For registered participants, recorded talks will be accessible on demand for 4 weeks after the end of the event, unless indicated otherwise.
Day 1 – Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Time (Europe/Berlin)Session
12:30 – 14:00Registration and light refreshments
14:00 – 14:10Opening remarks
Session 1: Harnessing microtubules
Chair: tbc
14:10 – 14:35Talk title tbc
Charlotte Aumeier – University of Geneva, Switzerland
14:35 – 14:50Selected short talk #1
14:50 – 15:15Talk title tbc
Guangshuo Ou – Tsinghua University, China
15:15 – 15:30Selected short talk #2
15:30 – 15:55Decoding MAP-induced lattice dynamics in microtubules: a theoretical framework
Karin John – Université Grenoble-Alpes, France
15:55 – 16:25Coffee Break
Session 2: Emerging Topics 1
Chair: tbc
16:25 – 16:40Selected short talk #3
16:40 – 16:55Selected short talk #4
16:55 – 17:10Selected short talk #5
17:10 – 17:25Selected short talk #6
17:25 – 17:40Selected short talk #7
17:40 – 17:55Selected short talk #8
17:55 – 18:55Speed networking
18:55 – 20:30Dinner in Canteen
20:30 – 23:00Welcome reception with drinks and preview of all posters
Day 2 – Thursday, 18 June 2026
Time (Europe/Berlin)Session
09:00 – 09:401st Landmark Lecture
Talk title tbc
Michael L. Shelanski – Columbia University , USA
Chair: Kassandra Ori-McKenney – University of California, USA
09:40 – 10:15Coffee Break
Session 3: Microtubule-based cell architecture
Chair: tbc
10:15 – 10:40Talk title tbc
Arp Schnittger – University of Hamburg, Germany
10:40 – 10:55Selected short talk #9
10:55 – 11:20How a mitotic kinase finds the cell center for cytokinesis
Radhika Subramanian – Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
11:20 – 11:35Selected short talk #10
11:35 – 12:00Talk title tbc
Eva Deinum – Wageningen University, Netherlands
12:00 – 13:45Lunch and meet the speakers
Session 4: Emerging topics 2
Chair: tbc
13:45 – 14:00Selected short talk #11
14:00 – 14:15Selected short talk #12
14:15 – 14:30Selected short talk #13
14:30 – 14:45Selected short talk #14
14:45 – 15:00Selected short talk #15
15:00 – 15:30Flash talk session 1
15:30 – 16:00Coffee Break
16:00 – 18:45Poster Session 1 (odd numbers)
18:45 – 20:00Dinner in EMBL Canteen
20:00 – 22:30After dinner drinks and possibility to continue poster session
Day 3 – Friday, 19 June 2026
Time (Europe/Berlin)Session
Session 5: Microtubules in the nervous system
Chair: tbc
09:00 – 09:25Talk title tbc
Giampietro Schiavo – University College London, United Kingdom
09:25 – 09:40Selected short talk #16
09:40 – 10:05Microtubules in sensory neuron axon asymmetry
Mónica Sousa – i3s, University of Porto, Portugal
10:05 – 10:30The roles of microtubule-associated proteins in cortical development and malformations
Jin-Wu Tsai – National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
10:30 – 11:00Coffee Break
Session 6: Microtubule inside neurons
Chair: tbc
11:00 – 11:25Probing the stability of axonal microtubules
Pramod Pullarkat – Raman Research Institute, India
11:25 – 11:50Talk title tbc
Frank Bradke – German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Germany
11:50 – 12:05Selected short talk #17
12:05 – 12:30Decoding MAP-induced lattice dynamics in microtubules
Laura Schaedel – Saarland University, Germany
12:30 – 14:00Lunch and meet the speakers
14:00-14:402nd Landmark Lecture
What the microtubules of C. elegans have told us
Martin Chalfie – Columbia University , USA
Chair: Zdenek Lansky – Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
14:40 – 15:20Roundtable discussion
15:20 – 15:40Flash talk session 2
15:40 – 16:10Coffee Break
16:10 – 19:00Poster Session 2 (even numbers)
19:00 – 21:00BBQ
21:00 – 00:00Party
Day 4 – Saturday, 20 June 2026
Time (Europe/Berlin)Session
Session 7: Decoding Microtubules
Chair: tbc
09:30 – 09:45Selected short talk #18
09:45 – 10:10Talk title tbc
Pleasantine Mill – University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
10:10 – 10:25Selected short talk #19
10:25 – 10:50The layered regulation of Tau protein association with microtubules
Marcus Braun – Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
10:50 – 11:20Coffee Break
Session 8: Control of microtubule-based transport
Chair: tbc
11:20 – 11:45Regulation of kinesin motility
Richard McKenney – University of California, Davis, USA
11:45 – 12:10Talk title tbc
Alan Brown – Harvard University, USA
12:10 – 12:35The regulation of motors by microtubule-associated proteins
Ahmet Yildiz – University of California, Berkeley, USA
12:35 – 12:50Selected short talk #20
13:00 – 14:30Lunch
Session 9: Microtubules in cell division
Chair: tbc
14:30 – 14:55Deciphering the tubulin code in female meiosis
Binyam Mogessie – Yale University, USA
14:55 – 15:10Selected short talk #21
15:10 – 15:35Kinetochore-microtubule regulation in mitosis
Jennifer DeLuca – Colorado State University, USA
15:35 – 15:50Selected short talk #22
15:50 – 16:15Adaptation of the microtubule cytoskeleton in germ cells
Julie Welburn – University of Edinburgh, UK
16:15 – 16:30Poster prizes
16:30 – 16:45Closing remarks

Practical information

Registration fees

On-site registration fees include:

  • Admission to the event
  • Possibility to submit an abstract
  • Meals and coffee breaks as indicated in the programme
  • Conference materials
  • Access to the online event platform
  • Access to all the livestreamed talks
  • Video library of the recorded talks during the event and for four weeks afterwards. Please note: at the request of individual speakers, some talks are not recorded.
  • A letter to support your visa application (for more information, check the ‘Travel and accommodation’ tab)

Accommodation and travel are not included in the fees. Participants are expected to book and pay their own expenses.

On-site Academia€650
On-site PhD Student€750
On-site Industry€950
On-site Journal Editors*€300

* Editors from scientific journals are allowed to attend at a reduced rate, but asked to contribute to the conference in return by taking part in ‘meet the editors’ sessions or other planned activities within the programme. Please contact Sophie Dutzi to ask for the special registration link for editors.


Virtual registration fees include:

  • Access to the online event platform
  • Access to all the livestreamed talks
  • Opportunity to submit questions
  • Video library of the recorded talks during the event and for four weeks afterwards.
    Please note: at the request of individual speakers, some talks are not recorded.

Virtual Academia€190
Virtual PhD Student€240
Virtual Industry€290

Note: Accredited journalists may be eligible to register for complimentary on-site or virtual press registration. Registrants may be required to provide accreditation or equivalent proof of press membership after registration. Please contact Sophie Dutzi for more information.

Confirmation and payment

Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. You can register and submit your abstract without paying the conference fee in advance but your place can only be confirmed after payment of the registration fee.

If you are added to our waiting list, please consider taking advantage of our offerings to participate virtually.

On-site participants: types of payments accepted are international bank transfers and credit card payments.

Virtual participants: we are only able to accept card payments. In exceptional cases we can accept bank transfers. Please contact events@embl.de for details.

Cancellation policy

If you are no longer able to take part in the conference, please inform your conference contact responsible for this event. Your registration and the submitted abstract will be deleted.

Please also check our Terms and Conditions for the cancellation policy.

Abstract submission

Abstract submission

Only participants registering to attend the on-site event are eligible to submit an abstract. Unfortunately, abstracts will not be accepted from virtual participants.

After registration you can submit your abstract via a separate link that will be provided in the email confirmation. Alternatively, you can access the link on the confirmation page directly after registering. The same login credentials are used for both processes.

Things to keep in mind when preparing the abstract:

Abstract body: The limit of 2,000 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.

Title: The title should not exceed 20 words. Only the first word of the title should start with a capital letter and the rest should be lowercase.

Authors and affiliations: Please fill in the author’s details as requested in the online form. The compulsory fields are: First Name, Last Name, Organisation Name (Affiliation or Company), Country and Email.

Kindly mark only one author in the role of First Author and please don’t forget to indicate who will be the Presenter.

Please enter your co-authors correctly via the system by adding accounts together with their organisation/institute. Do not copy-paste them into the body of the abstract text, as they will not be indexed in the abstract book.

Presentation types: When submitting your abstract, you can apply for an oral or poster presentation. A selection process will take place with the results announced 3 weeks after the abstract submission deadline (delays may occur).

For detailed instructions on how to submit a conference abstract, follow the instructions provided in this video.

Please check our FAQs pages for further information on how to submit an abstract.

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 waivers, travel 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 or conference.

Travel grant

The travel grant will cover the cost of travel to an on-site event (airfare, train, bus, taxi, accommodation, visa) and is provided up to specified caps which are normally as follows:

–up to €400 for participants travelling to an EMBO | EMBL Symposium from within Europe.

–up to €1000 for participants travelling to an EMBO | EMBL Symposium from outside Europe.

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. Receipts (and boarding passes for air travel) must be provided via email with your signature for all costs incurred within two months of completion of travel.

Childcare grant

There is the possibility to apply for a childcare grant to offset child care costs incurred by participants, speakers and organisers when attending a conference. Eligible costs include (but are not limited to) fees for a baby-sitter or child-care facility and travel costs for a caregiver. Please note that priority will be given to early stage researchers.

You may apply for a childcare grant at the same time when submitting your abstract. There is a limited amount of funding available for the childcare grants and funds will be distributed amongst eligible applicants.

Application

On-site participants

You may apply for financial assistance when submitting your abstract. In your application you will be asked to 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.

Virtual participants

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.

Selection

The scientific organisers will select the recipients of all financial assistance during the abstract selection process. 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.

Reimbursement

Costs will be reimbursed after the meeting only once a reimbursement form and original receipts (from travel costs) have been received.

Further details

View our list of external funding opportunities or refer to the FAQ page.

Become an event reporter

At our conferences we also offer the option to become an event reporter. By attending the meeting, sharing your insights on social media, and writing a detailed report, you can offset the conference fees. Please read the instructions on how to apply.

Travel and accommodation

Visa

We can send you a registration confirmation to support your visa procedure (not an official invitation letter) after you have paid the registration fee. Please contact the conference officer responsible for your event. For more information, please see here.

Travel

If you are travelling to Heidelberg via aeroplane, train, car or long-distance bus, you can find useful information here.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the conference registration fee.

As further changes in our events are possible, you should book flights, trains and hotels with flexible options and favourable cancellation conditions.

Invited speakers please be wary of fraudulent ‘hotel services’ contacting you to ask for payments, see our Accommodation Scam Alert for more information.

A list of hotels with room blocks will be shared soon.

Local transportation

Conference shuttle buses

Conference shuttle buses are free of charge for participants, and depart from designated bus stops near the hotels to EMBL and back, mornings and evenings.

The bus stops for this conference are:

  • Staycity Aparthotel (Speyerer Str. 7)
  • Kurfürsten-Anlage (Opposite Main Train Station)
  • Premier Inn City Zentrum (Kurfürsten-Anlage 23)
  • Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg City Center (Bergheimer Str. 63)
  • Neckarmünzplatz (Heidelberg Tourist Information)
  • Peterskirche (Bus stop)
  • Hilton Hotel (Kurfürsten-Anlage 1)
  • ISG Hotel (Im Eichwald 19)

View Conference shuttle bus stops and hotels in a larger map. Please note that not every bus stop will be used for every event.

Other local transportation

In addition to the shuttle busses, there is also the public bus 28 that serves the EMBL campus and taxis can be easily booked at any time. For more information, see here.

Further details

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

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

On-site information

Here you will find useful information for when you are onsite at the event.

Catering

All meals and coffee breaks as indicated in the porgramme are included in the registration fee. Our catering staff will prepare a 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 auditorium.

Internet

Wi-Fi is available on campus 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.

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.

Charging stations

There are lockers available next to the stairs leading down into the Auditorium. You will find some of those equipped with sockets to charge your smartphone/tablet etc.

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.

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.

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.

Lost and found

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

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.

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

Nursing room

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

Room for prayers, meditation, and yoga

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

EMBL campus map

Health and safety notes

Please take a moment to read our health and safety policy.

  • Do not smoke in any EMBL building.
  • Eating and drinking is prohibited in the Auditorium and 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.
  • Be prepared to answer the following questions: 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

The Heidelberg University Hospital or ‘Universitätsklinikum‘ has a 24 hour accident and emergency facility and is at ‘Im Neuenheimer Feld 672’. It is a 8km or a 20 minute taxi ride away from EMBL. In a medical emergency, the ambulance service generally transports patients to this hospital.

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.

The EMBL course and conference office team are able to advise you on where to turn for emergency or non-emergency medical treatment in Heidelberg and can assist you in making appointments and / or arranging transport to get to the pharmacy or a doctor of your choice if necessary. Please note, we are not however permitted to personally accompany you off-campus.

Sightseeing

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

Event platform

Access

Access to the event platform is given to all on-site and virtual participants.

You can use the event platform to:

  • Access to all the livestreamed talks
  • Opportunity to submit questions (for virtual participants)
  • Video library of the recorded talks during the event and for four weeks afterwards. Please note: at the request of individual speakers, some talks are not recorded
  • Access to the abstract book
  • Opportunity to engage with speakers and other participants via the discussion area and chat functionality
  • Other useful information (How to give a good scientific talk, or to make a good scientific poster, and more)

More information about the platform will be shared ahead of the conference.

Guidelines

  • Pleaase do not share the link to the course or donverence platfrom with anyone else
  • Do not broadcast the conference to unregistered participants.
  • You are encouraged to post about the event. Post unless the speaker specifically says otherwise, but be mindful of unpublished data. 
  • Please do not capture, transmit or redistribute data presented at the meeting.

Additional information can be found in our Code of Conduct.

Time zone

The programme is planned based on the Europe/Berlin time zone, unless otherwise stated. Please take your time zone into consideration when planning your attendance.

Additional information

Please find additional information including FAQs, terms and conditions, and travelling to EMBL 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 conferences, 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.

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.

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 - 20 Jun 2026

Location: EMBL Heidelberg and Virtual

Venue: EMBL Advanced Training Centre


Deadline(s):

Abstract submission: 11 Mar 2026

Registration (On-site): 6 May 2026

Registration (Virtual): 10 Jun 2026


Organisers:

  • Carsten Janke
    Institut Curie, France

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