Luca Alessandri
University of Turin
Italy
EMBL Course
This course is a practical and theoretical training in the analysis and integration of next-generation sequencing and proteomics data to study gene and protein expression in biological systems.
Systems biology is an expanding field of research that seeks to understand, at the molecular level, how cells, tissues, and organisms operate within their biological context. Next-generation sequencing and proteomics are among the key technologies driving this field forward and have matured to a point where they are now accessible to researchers across many areas of biology.
Participants will gain theoretical insight into the structure of sequencing and proteomic data and receive training in the annotation, quantification, and statistical analysis of gene and protein expression using various computational tools. The course will also cover the use of Cytoscape to integrate both data types and derive biological insights.
This course is targeted at biologists and biochemists who are (starting to be) involved in both next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, but who are not experts in these fields.
The aim of this practical course is to provide insight in techniques that are frequently used for transcriptome and proteome analysis, and to provide hands-on experience turning primary data into information that can be used for further biological interpretation. To achieve these goals, participants will gain insight in the basic principles of gene expression analysis (RNAseq data quantification and differential expression analysis), protein identification and quantification, and they will be trained in the use of software tools to analyse sequencing and proteomic data (SearchGUI, PeptideShaker, DiaNN). In addition, the course will provide insight in the complementarity of transcriptome and proteome data by their integrative analysis via Cytoscape.
“This course was my gateway into bioinformatics—a seamless blend of foundational learning and hands-on practice. With expert guidance and access to powerful tools for transcriptome and proteome integration, even beginners come away equipped to navigate the complexity of omics data and apply it meaningfully to their research.” – Elena Rakovoliou, Biomedical Research Institute (BRI), Greece
“The analysis and integration of transcriptome and proteome data was a fantastic opportunity where I learned invaluable skills to enhance and better understand my data. Excellent teaching by lecturers and ample networking opportunities with scientific peers from across the world made the experience only more valuable.” – Thea Mawhinney, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
University of Turin
Italy
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
University of Turin
Italy
University of Ghent
Belgium
German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ)
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
University of Ghent
Belgium
University of Ghent
Belgium
University of California, San Francisco
USA
EMBL Heidelberg / DKFZ
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
University of Turin
Italy
University of Ghent
Belgium
German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ)
Germany
University of Ghent
Belgium
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
Are you on social media? Post using #EMBLDataIntegration (Event hashtag) and don’t forget to tag @EMBLEvents.
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2 h (exact time TBC) | Onboarding session Raffaele Calogero – University of Turin, Italy | Zoom |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Arrival, welcome and safety introductions | Courtyard Room |
| 09:15 – 11:00 | Lecture: RNA-seq: cool but is it that simple? Vladimir Benes – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Courtyard Room |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Practical session: RNAseq: Reads to genes Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:30 – 16:00 | Practical session_ RNAseq: Reads to genes Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 16:30 – 18:30 | Q&A on RNAseq Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 18:30 – 19:30 | Canteen dinner | Canteen |
| 19:30 | Departure to hotel | EMBL bus stop |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Practical & theory: Differential expression analysis Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Practical & theory: Batch correction Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Practical & theory: Batch correction Raffaele Calogero – University of Torino, Italy Luca Alessandri – University of Torino, Italy Mathias Boulanger – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:30 – 17:30 | Lecture: Ribosome profiling Gerben Menschaert – University of Ghent, Belgium | Courtyard Room |
| 17:30 – 18:30 | Flash talk presentations | Courtyard Room |
| 18:30 – 20:00 | BBQ dinner | Operon Foyer |
| 20:00 | Departure to hotel | ATC entrance |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Introduction to Proteomics Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Germany | Courtyard Room |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Practical: peptide and protein identification Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Practical: peptide and protein identification Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch and group photo (12:00-12:15) | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Lecture: Bioinformatics for proteomics Lennart Martens – University of Ghent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Q&A to Bioinformatics for proteomics Lennart Martens – University of Ghent, Belgium | Courtyard Room |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee Break | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:00 – 18:30 | Practical Session: Turning data into information-peptide and protein identification, database searching Lennart Martens – University of Ghent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 18:30 – 19:00 | Pizza dinner | Rooftop lounge |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Pub quiz with drinks | Rooftop lounge |
| 20:15 | Departure to hotel | ATC entrance |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Lecture: Introduction to DIA proteomics data analysis Daria Fijalkowska – University of Ghent, Belgium | Courtyard Room |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Practical Session: DIA proteomics data analysis Daria Fijalkowska – University of Ghent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Practical Session: DIA proteomics data analysis Daria Fijalkowska – University of Ghent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Q&A to Bioinformatic tools for data comparison and integration Scooter Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA | Courtyard Room |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Practical session: Introduction to Cytoscape Manjeet Kumar – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany John “Scooter” Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA | Computer Training Lab |
| 17:15 | Departure to Hotel: Free evening | EMBL bus stop |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Lecture: MOFA data integration talk Oliver Stegle – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Courtyard Room |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Practical session: MOFA data integration Oliver Stegle – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Practical session: Introduction to Cytoscape Manjeet Kumar – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany John “Scooter” Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA | Computer Training Lab and Courtyard Room |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break | Courtyard room |
| 15:00 – 16:15 | Practical seesion: Introduction to Cytoscape Manjeet Kumar – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany John “Scooter” Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA | Computer Training Lab and Courtyard Room |
| 16:15 – 18:00 | GeneCore and Proteomics Core facilities tours | GeneCore and Proteomics Core facilities |
| 18:00 – 18:45 | Departure to downtown with a short stop at the hotel | EMBL bus stop |
| 18:45 – 22:00 | Downtown Dinner | TBC |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:40 – 09:00 | Bus from hotel to EMBL ATC entrance | ISG hotel |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | Practical Session: Data integration John “Scooter” Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA Manjeet Kumar – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany with flexible coffee break | Computer Training Lab and Courtyard room |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 15:00 | Practical Session: Data integration John “Scooter” Morris – University of California, San Francisco, USA Manjeet Kumar – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany with flexible coffee break | Computer Training Lab and Courtyard room |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Course wrap-up and farewell | Courtyard room |
| 15:40 | Departure to Train Station | ATC entrance |
The course is limited to 24 participants. For selection purposes, please note that your application will not be considered without a letter of motivation.
Your registration for this course includes:
Accommodation and travel are not included in the fees — participants are expected to book and pay their own expenses.
| Academia | €750 |
| PhD Student | €750 |
| Industry | €1200 |
The registration fee should be paid only after acceptance to the course. We aim to announce the results 3 weeks (21 days) after the abstract submission deadline but delays may occur.
If you are no longer able to take part in the course, please inform your course contact responsible for this event. Your registration and the submitted motivation letter will be deleted.
Please also check our Terms and Conditions for the cancellation policy.
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
Please note:
For detailed instructions, please watch our video on how to submit a course motivation letter.
Please note it is not possible to apply after the motivation letter deadline!
The selection process will take place with the results announced by email to all applicants / submitters. We aim to announce 3 weeks (21 days) after the motivation letter submission deadline but delays may occur.
For further information about registration and motivation letter submission please refer to the FAQ page.
Limited financial assistance is provided by the EMBL Advanced Training Centre Corporate Partnership Programme 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.
The fee waiver will cover the registration sum that you have paid to attend the course.
The travel grant will cover the cost of travel (airfare, train, bus, taxi, accommodation, visa) and is provided up to specified caps which are normally as follows:
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 must be provided via email with your signature for all costs incurred within two months of completion of travel.
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.
You may apply for financial assistance when submitting your motivation letter. In the application system, you will be asked which type of grant you want to apply for.
Applications for financial support will not influence the outcome of the selection results.
Grant allocations are announced by email to all applicants after the selections results.
Selection for financial assistance 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.
Please note that for childcare grants, priority will be given to early-stage researchers.
Check out this list of external funding opportunities.
For further information about financial assistance please refer to the FAQ page.
We can send you a registration confirmation to support your visa procedure (not an official invitation letter). Please contact the Conference Officer responsible for your event. Read our FAQ for more information.
If you are travelling to Heidelberg via aeroplane, train, car, or long-distance bus, you can find useful information on our travel information page.
Accommodation is not included in the registration fee.
A mix of single and twin rooms have been reserved for 6 nights from 24 to 30 April 2027 at the 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 a booking code (code of your course, e.g. PRO27-01 by the deadline of 27 March 2027.
We recommend that all course participants stay at the dedicated hotel for the course.
Please note: Heidelberg City Council has in place an overnight stay tax for tourists visiting Heidelberg (including work related trips). The cost is 3.50 EUR per night for the first five nights of a consecutive stay and is added to the hotel’s nightly rate. Please contact the individual hotel directly if you have any questions.
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.
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, please refer to the local transportation (RNV) website.
You may also walk from the ISG Hotel to EMBL (takes up to 30 minutes)
Map to walk from ISG Hotel to EMBL
Address: EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
For more information about travel and accommodation, please refer to the FAQ page.
Here you will find useful information for when you are onsite at the event.
All meals and coffee breaks 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 computer training lab or wet labs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 course.
‘’Lost and Found’’ items are kept at the registration desk until the end of the course.
There is a nursing room available in the ATC Rooftop Lounge on level A29.
There is a room for prayer, yoga, and meditation, located on level E0 behind the Auditorium. Please be respectful of others using the room.

Please take a moment to read our health and safety policy.
If first aid is required
In case of fire
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.
A variety of activities in Heidelberg can be found on the website of Heidelberg Marketing.
Participants are required to bring their own laptops to the course or inform us ahead otherwise. You will need admin rights to be able to install the software on your computer and we recommend you try this before the course. If you do not have admin rights, please contact your technical support team in advance to make sure the software can be installed.
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.
While using the software during the course, please make sure you have nothing else using your bandwidth. We recommend using a wired connection.
Please find additional information including FAQs and terms and conditions on our Information for Participants page.
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.
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:
Suspicious communications purportedly from, for or on behalf of EMBL should be reported to EMBL at the following email address sponsoring@embl.de.
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.
Date: 25 - 30 Apr 2027
Location: EMBL Heidelberg
Venue: EMBL Advanced Training Centre
Deadline(s):
Application: 17 Jan 2027
Organisers:
Contact: Alex Price
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