When we think of scientific conferences, we likely imagine big lecture halls, endless rows of posters, and a handful of big-name researchers who we might be lucky to get a glimpse of as they present their latest work. The FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'Functional genomics of metabolic diseases' was anything but that. As you arrive in Spetses Island, you are immediately welcomed by the warm Greek sun and the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. From a location standpoint, it doesn’t get much better than that as an environment to engage in scientific discussion. While the venue was dreamy, the quality of the speakers, students, post-docs, industry reps, and organizers who contributed to the scientific discussion were of the highest caliber.

The attendees hailed from around the world; big labs and small labs, specialized in molecular biology, bioinformatics, transcription, physiology, epigenetics… the list goes on. The breadth of expertise was wide, and the content of scientific exchange was rich. Despite the idyllic setting, the real strength of the course lay in its student-focused design. The small group size, international diversity, and wide range of career stages, from first-year PhD students to tenured professors, created a uniquely supportive and collaborative environment.

Students were actively encouraged to ask questions, join discussions, and build genuine connections with senior researchers and peers alike. The ratio of PhD students/postdocs to lecturers was roughly 2:1, which provided young researchers and students with the accessibility to engage with nearly every single speaker. Dedicated lunch tables were set up after each morning session to allow speakers and students to share a meal together and facilitate exchange in a less formal setting. This allowed for valuable networking opportunities and helped students gain confidence to introduce themselves, their work, and ask the lecturers questions that perhaps they wouldn’t have otherwise done in a seminar-like environment.

Afternoon beach networking sessions also fostered engaging discussions as we floated and frolicked in the Mediterranean. Lively poster sessions helped promote further one-on-one interactions between course attendees; an evening wine and cheese poster session helped those conversations continue late into the night. Students also benefited from the opportunity to meet other students in their field, who will eventually become their future colleagues. The close interaction between young researchers, PIs, and students showcased the true value of the course, and a pillar of scientific discovery—collaboration.

Free time was just as valuable as the scheduled sessions. Whether during morning runs, quad-bike island tours, or shared sunrise swims, the relaxed atmosphere fostered friendships and laid the groundwork for long-term scientific collaborations. By the end of the week, many students left not only with new knowledge but with a growing network of peers across Europe and beyond.

This course gives a rare opportunity for students and experienced researchers alike to spend five days on a remote, beautiful island in Greece, interacting and getting to know each other, and discussing experimental or conceptual challenges faced when setting up new tools, models or analyses. If you are in the field of functional genomics of metabolic diseases and wish to broaden your network and intellectual horizons, and possibly get a tan while doing so, look no further.

For more information about the FEBS Advanced Courses programme visit the FEBS website.

Top image provided by the organizers of the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'Functional genomics of metabolic diseases'.