Vadim Demichev
Charité – University Medicine Berlin/ Aptilo
Germany
EMBO Practical Course
Funded by EMBO for excellence in the life sciences
Proteomic technologies are advancing rapidly, creating new opportunities to address pressing questions across diverse areas of biological research. Mass spectrometry is now widely accessible through core facilities and collaborative networks. However, analysis and interpretation of proteomic data remains a challenge, requiring dedicated strategies for the proper handling of large data sets.
This hands-on course provides comprehensive training in the analysis, interpretation, and statistical evaluation of proteomic data. The objective is to equip participants with the knowledge needed to implement state-of-the-art methodologies into their research to obtain biological insight. This will be achieved through expert-led lectures with immersive practical sessions focused on software-based data analysis, complemented by group exercises that consolidate learning. In addition, leading specialists will present emerging areas and innovative proteomics approaches, to enable investigation of protein regulation, cellular crosstalk, functional proteomics, chemical proteomics, or post-translational modifications.
The course will specifically address the application of AI-driven approaches in proteomics and mass spectrometry through a dedicated lecture that provides practical guidance on the effective use of AI-tools.
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.
This event has been granted the following EMBO sustainability badge:

“An absolute amazing opportunity to learn about Quantitative Proteomics from some of the greatest minds in the filed. It is an incredible programme and experience and I can only wholeheartedly recommend it.” – Philipp Gessner, Precision Proteomics Davos, Switzerland
“During the Quantitative Proteomics course at EMBL, I learned many new tools for analyzing proteomic data. I particularly liked the mix of practical and theoretical sessions and the great opportunity to learn from international trainers!” – Nicola Stein, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
Charité – University Medicine Berlin/ Aptilo
Germany
Northeastern University
USA
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Germany
Technical University of Munich
Germany
VIB-UGent
Belgium
CNIC – Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research
Spain
Technical University of Munich
Germany
University of Michigan Medical School
USA
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
Utrecht University
The Netherlands
Northeastern University
USA
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Germany
Technical University Munich
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
EMBL Heidelberg
Germany
Are you on social media? Post using#EMBOQuantPro and don’t forget to tag @EMBLEvents.
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13:45 – 14:00 | Arrival and registration | ISG Hotel |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Welcome and housenotes | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 14:15 – 15:00 | Introduction: Quantitative proteomics for biology Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Flash talks 1 (odd numbers) | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 16:30 – 18:30 | Poster session with drinks and snacks (odd numbers) | Helix B |
| 18:30 – 19:30 | Dinner | EMBL Canteen |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Overview of the day | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Basic lecture: Introduction to LC-MS/MS and sample preparation in proteomics Mandy Rettel – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Basic lecture: Introduction to MS-based protein quantification Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Lecture: Peptide and protein identification Lennart Martens -VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 15:00 | Practical session 1: Peptide and protein identification Lennart Martens – VIB-UGent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Practical session 1: Peptide and protein identification Lennart Martens – VIB-UGent, Belgium | Computer Training Lab |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Flash talks 2 (even numbers) | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 17:30 – 18:30 | Pizza dinner | Helix B |
| 18:30 – 20:30 | Poster Session with drinks and snacks (even numbers) | Helix B |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Overview of the day | |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Lecture: Introduction to FragPipe computational proteomics platform Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Practical session 2: Analysis of quantitative proteomics data and PTM data with MSFragger and FragPipe Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:00 – 14:30 | Practical session 2: Analysis of quantitative proteomics data and PTM data with MSFragger and FragPipe Alexey Nesvizhskii – University of Michigan, USA | Computer Training Lab |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Good Scientific Practice in the Era of Large Language Models | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Treasure hunt | ATC |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Application talk 1: Protein regulation in immuno-oncology Kelly Stecker – Utrecht University, The Netherlands | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 18:00 | Free evening |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Overview of the day | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Lecture: Introduction to DIA Vadim Demichev – Aptila Biotech, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Practical session 3: Global proteome analysis with DIA-NN Vadim Demichev – Aptila Biotech, Germany Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany Julia Mergner – Technical University Munich, Germany Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:30 – 15:30 | Practical session 3: Global proteome analysis with DIA-NN Vadim Demichev – Aptila Biotech, Germany Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany Christina Ludwig – Technical University Munich, Germany Julia Mergner – Technical University Munich, Germany Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee break | Computer Training Lab |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Application talk 2: Dynamic regulation of protein post-translational modifications Ana Martinez – CNIC – Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research, Spain | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Open panel discussion (agenda to be set by course participants) | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Career dinner with Meet the speakers | EMBL Canteen |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Overview of the day | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Lecture: Introduction to statistical analysis of proteomics data Sarah Szvetecz – Northeastern University, USA | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Practical session 4: Statistical analysis of proteomics data using MSStats Devon Kohler – Northeastern University, USA Sarah Szvetecz – Northeastern University, USA | Computer Training Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:30 – 15:30 | Practical session 4: Statistical analysis of proteomics data using MSStats Devon Kohler – Northeastern University, USA Sarah Szvetecz – Northeastern University, USA | Computer Training Lab |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee break | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Application talk 3: Single-cell proteomics Jeroen Krijgsveld – German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 17:00 – 17:45 | Bus downtown via ISG | ATC Entrance |
| 17:45 – 19:15 | Guided city tour | Downtown Heidelberg |
| 19:15 – 22:00 | Course dinner downtown | Downtown Heidelberg |
| Time (Europe/Berlin) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 08:55 – 09:00 | Overview of the day | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Application talk 4: Functional proteomics Mikhail Savitski – EMBL Heidelberg, Germany | Computer Training Lab |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee break and Proteomics Core Facility tour | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 10:30 – 12:30 | Group Challenge – Proteomics research topic Julia Mergner | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch | EMBL Canteen |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Presentations from Group Challenge | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Treasure hunt results | Courtyard Room A & B |
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Course debrief and feedback with participants | Courtyard Room A & B |
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 the event includes:
For this EMBO course, the fees include accommodation and transportation to and from the ISG Hotel to the venue
| Academia | €500 |
| PhD Student | €500 |
| Industry | €1000 |
The registration fee should be paid only after acceptance to the course. The results will be announced approximately 3 weeks after the application deadline.
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 results will be announced by email to all applicants. We aim to announce 3 weeks (21 days) after the motivation letter submission deadline but delays may occur.
For further information about
Limited financial assistance is provided by the EMBL Advanced Training Centre Corporate Partnership Programme and EMBO in the form of travel grants, childcare grants, and accessibility grants.
Your place in the meeting is only confirmed by paying the registration fee, which is mandatory even when receiving a fee waiver.
The travel grant will cover the cost of travel (airfare, train, bus, taxi, and visa) and/or registration fees 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, child-care facility, or 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.
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):
Applies to selected courses only. Availability will be indicated during the abstract submission process.
The EFU fellowship covers full costs related to your attendance at the course (registration fee, travel and accommodation costs). The grant is restricted to supporting academic or clinical PhD students and postdoctoral researchers whose primary research areas maybe on cancers broadly, but must especially demonstrate in the course motivation letter clear relatability or knowledge transferability to urological cancers (prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, penile, and urethral cancers).
To qualify for the EFU fellowship, applicants are required to include a brief statement in their motivation letter explaining how this is evident.
The scope of the full grant includes the following:
The funded participants are required to submit a personal curriculum vitae, as well as a letter of recommendation from their host institution or laboratory. In addition, awardees must provide a short report within 30 days after the course completion, describing how their participation benefited them and contributed to the advancement of their research (up to 2,000 characters).
For EMBO Practical Course participants with accessibility needs, there is the possibility to apply for an accessibility grant to offset costs incurred by participants or speakers when participating at a course. Eligible costs include costs incurred for equipment or adaptations to the course environment, or travel costs for an event companion to assist the participant or speaker during the course where necessary. While we do our best to accommodate needs, please note that extensive changes to the course environment might not be possible. Priority will be given to early-stage researchers.
A maximum amount of €500 can be awarded per participant applying for an EMBO accessibility grant. In order to apply for this grant for EMBO Practical Courses, you must be registered by the application deadline.
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 selection 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 in twin rooms, including breakfast is also part of the registration fee. Accommodation will be booked for the selected participants at the ISG Hotel for the default dates of 7 to 12 March 2026 ( 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 a surcharge per night (availability of single rooms may be limited). This should be paid by you directly to the ISG Hotel during your stay.
We recommend that all course participants stay at the ISG Hotel for the course.
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 accommodation and travel, 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.
EMBL campus map

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.
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.
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.org. 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.
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Date: 7 - 12 Mar 2027
Location: EMBL Heidelberg
Venue: EMBL Advanced Training Centre
Deadline(s):
Application: 23 Nov 2026
Organisers:
Contact: Aline Schnieder
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