Our understanding of the complex interactions taking place at the biointerfaces at the molecular level is being helped by the introduction of cutting-edge techniques, such as machine learning, big data approaches such as hyperspectral microscopy, friction force microscopy, CRISPR-based genetic engineering tools, and small angle X-ray scattering, neutron reflectometry.

The FEBS Advanced Course "Biological surfaces and interfaces: biointerfaces at lipids, proteins and polymers" will focus on these new aspects of research into biointerfaces, providing insights into dynamic processes at the interface between lipids, proteins (including enzymes and peptides) and bio- and nanomaterials, and shedding light on how specific electrolytes modulate the interactions among them.

The course will also introduce the design of interfaces which provide dynamic and controlled spatio-temporal stimuli, as well as drug design, by controlling the behaviour of protein-drug, lipid-drug or protein/enzyme-nanoparticle interfaces.

The main aim of the course aims is understanding a multidisciplinary area – biological interfaces – from a more biophysical point of view, which is a unique perspective not addressed by any other conference, workshop or course. However, it builds on a strong tradition, as meetings on biological surfaces and interfaces have been running between 2003 and 2022, supported by the European Science Foundation (ESF), EMBO and FEBS. These meetings have been the voice of the broad biointerface community, the forum for exchange of ideas between scientists active in this area, and a uniquely supportive environment for the training of young interdisciplinary scientists.

The organizers of the 2025 course are Andrea Salis (University of Cagliari, Italy) and Kaori Sugihara (University of Tokyo, Japan), and the event will be held in Sant Feliu de Guixols, in the northwest of Spain, on 8–13 June 2025. The meeting is open to postdoctoral fellows and PhD students, as well as senior scientists with experience in different areas.

The program has many exciting features, such as the two Keynote lectures by Claudia Steinem and Dimitrios Stamou, who will put the biointerfaces field in the larger scientific and social context, covering historical and ethical aspects of the field, general principles that govern biointeractions in nature, and scientific and economical perspectives of the field for the future.

There will also be invited talks by both young and established scientists who have made significant conceptual advances in the field of biointerfaces. The sessions will have short contributed talks selected from the pool of abstracts submitted by early career researchers, while the flash presentations and poster sessions will allow participants to interact with the entire conference (all applications will be treated as a poster presentation and flash talk by default).

We also look forward to the Career Round Table for students and postdocs, as well as to the “Forward Look” plenary discussion between speakers and organizers, dedicated to grand challenges in science, society and economy to which the biointerface community could contribute.

Registration for the course is open and the deadline for the oral presentations and posters has been extended to 28 February 2025.

There is a limited number of FEBS Youth Travel Funds (YTF) grants are available to support participation of early-career scientists in this course. These funds will cover the registration fee (including costs of event meals, and shared accommodation in a twin room) up to a maximum of 800 EUR per person.

We look forward to welcoming you at the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course "Biological surfaces and interfaces: biointerfaces at lipids, proteins and polymers”. If you have any queries, please get in touch via the event website Contact form.

Top photo (provided by the organizers) is of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, on the Costa Brava, on the northwest of Spain.