Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) are crucial for faithful protein synthesis. For years, these enzymes have been at the forefront of research on mechanisms of enzyme selectivity and the evolution of the genetic code. 

An exciting program of the FEBS Special Meeting "Expanding frontiers in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase research" will cover groundbreaking findings in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase research and emerging topics in related fields, including genetic code engineering, design and development of new drugs and therapies, genetic diseases, cell signalling, protein biosynthesis and degradation, system biology, evolution, biomedicine. 

The meeting will take place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 28 September to 3 October, 2025 and is the first meeting on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases research supported by FEBS. 

The meeting is structured to encourage informal scientific discussions through joint lunches, coffee breaks, a conference dinner and an excursion. There will be plenty of time and opportunity for gathering and collaborative dialogues.   

Given the increasing importance of AARS biology for human health, we will stimulate cross-field interactions among basic scientists, clinicians, biotech industry, and patients affected by AARS-related disorders with a dedicated patient-oriented session, which will include a round table discussion and face-to-face meetings between patients and clinicians and scientists.  

Special care will be given to promote the participation of young scientists at the beginning of their careers and to facilitate their integration into the AARS community. To that end, the program will include numerous talks selected from the abstracts submitted by PhD students and postdoctoral scientists. Special feature of the meeting is career progression lunch with career planning of younger investigators through discussions with the top world experts. 

Keynote speakers 

Simon Alberti (TU Dresden) 

Nenad Ban (ETH Zurich) – EMBO Speaker

Rita Horvath (University of Cambridge) 

Michal Sharon (Weizmann Institute of Science) 

Hiroaki Suga (University of Tokyo) – IUBMB Speaker

Important date:

15th August 2025 – abstract submission deadline and late registration closing 

Please feel free to share this  information with your colleagues and friends who may be interested. 

 We hope you will bring your inspiring science to Dubrovnik and join us in expanding the frontiers of AARS research!

Photo by Ivan Ivankovic on Unsplash.