Series of three short seminars

A delegation from Tecnológico de Monterrey was visiting TUM and stoped at the Leibniz-LSB@TUM on July 29, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. for a series of three short seminars. The seminars covered topics ranging from molecular to pharmacological aspects of health science, as well as screening tools.

Download program here.

3rd German workshop on structural predictions of membrane proteins: From ion channels to G protein-coupled receptors

February 26–28, 2024

www.fz-juelich.de/en/ias/ias-5/conferences/smsp3

Venue: INM-seminar, building 15.9, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven transmembrane proteins involved in signal transduction across the cell membrane. Ion channels are membrane-bound enzymes whose catalytic sites are ion-conducting pores that open and close (gate) in response to specific environmental stimuli. Ion channels are key contributors to cell signalling and homeostasis. Due to their physiological and pathological relevance, their expression in the plasma membrane, which facilitates molecular interactions in the extracellular milieu, and defined binding sites, GPCRs and ion channels are highly druggable targets. Indeed, these proteins constitute ~40% of drug targets, yet rational drug design requires structural information.

Computational methods combined with experimental techniques can reveal major aspects of the structural basis of ligand binding and protein function. Molecular simulations can furthermore assist in the drug design process. By gathering together top-level German Researchers in the field, this meeting, which is now at the third edition, will highlight current challenges and future perspectives in molecular simulation and bioinformatics approaches to be applied to GPCR and ion channel model structures.

Theorists working on GPCRs and ion channels share similar computational challenges for modelling and simulations, some of which will be discussed at the workshop. Importantly, this year, the meeting is also extended to Swiss researchers in the field and it is enriched by a special session with experimentalists on “Membrane Structural Biology and Biophysics” to cover experimental mechanistic structural work related to membrane-associated proteins and their cellular processes.

Registration is free but required.

The Organizers

Vittorio Limongelli (University of Lugano USI)
Antonella Di Pizio (Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology and Technical University of Munich)
Paolo Carloni (Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University)
Carsten Sachse (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

WaterTopCost-Meeting at the Leibniz-LSB@TUM

From March 22 to 24, ten scientists met in a meeting at the Leibniz-LSB@TUM organized by Andreas Dunkel, Dr. Guangjuan Luo, and PD Dr. Martin Steinhaus. One goal of the meeting was to develop further the prototype of a freely available online database that will help analyze sensory off-notes in water. To this end, the database will provide analytical parameters such as retention indices, thresholds, and sensory qualities, among others. Ideally, the information should help to identify problems such as algae infestation or cyanobacteria at an early stage in the future.

In addition, participants at the meeting worked on the development of an interactive flavor wheel. It summarizes taste and odor off-notes in water and their triggering compounds. The tool will be translated into many languages to advance the use of a consistent vocabulary in evaluating water.

Spring School

From Omics to Systems Biology – Research for Food, Nutrition & Health

March 6-10 2023 at the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)

The Spring school is a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)and the LSB. It is intended for doctoral students and young researchers of the three institutes to provide an insight into approaches, tools and methods in the field of omics technologies, bioinformatics, metabolic pathways and systems biology.

In addition, the Spring School will also introduce topics of complementary skills including research ethics, data management and graphical abstract design. The joint learning experience of participants of all three institutes will also provide the participants with the opportunity for networking and exchange with young researchers from the other institutes and with the invited experts.

Funded by Joachim Herz Foundation

Link to download the program

2nd German workshop on structural predictions of membrane proteins: From ion channels to G-protein coupled receptors

Organizers are: Paolo Carloni (Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University) and
Antonella Di Pizio (Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TUM)

February 7-8, 2023 - Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Following the successful first workshop in 2019, this meeting aims to bring together German researchers to highlight current challenges and future perspectives for modeling G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels.

In addition, the workshop aims to bridge the gap between the structural dimension of membrane proteins and signaling events. We are very pleased that the workshop is supported by the DFG research group DynIon and also by the RTG2416 MultiSenses - MultiScales.

The workshop is planned as a hybrid event. Registration is free, but required.

For more information, please visit: www.fz-juelich.de/en/ias/ias-5/conferences/smsp2