For the fourth time, FEBS and EMBO co-funded the Joint FEBS/EMBO Lecture Course 'Susan Lindquist School of Proteostasis' held this September in Espoo, Helsinki. The event brought together 18 principal investigators and 60 students and postdocs at the Hanaholmen Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre to share their insights on the dynamic regulation of the proteome. Discussions spanned topics from ribosomal quality control and protein folding, to proteolysis and the breakdown of proteostasis during stress, aging, and disease. Many of the participating speakers have fundamentally shaped the proteostasis field, and they shared not only their groundbreaking discoveries but also the personal stories, challenges, and thought processes behind building their science.

What makes the Susan Lindquist School of Proteostasis special

When Rick Mariomoto opened the the first talk on “The Path to Proteostasis”, it was already clear how special this meeting was going to be. One could feel the legacy that Susan Lindquist has left behind through her discovery of the heat shock response, her pioneering work in opening the field of proteostasis, and her role as a mentor who inspired many scientists. It came as no surprise that several of the speakers who followed were visibly moved when honoring Susan and sharing personal anecdotes about her. This set the tone for the entire meeting, creating a warm, welcoming, almost family-like atmosphere.

This spirit enriched not only the scientific sessions, but also the round table discussions that were scheduled throughout the meeting—open-minded conversations about career decisions, science communication, equality in science, and how to deal with failure. In these discussions, principal investigators, students, and postdocs alike shared their experiences, opinions, and possible improvement strategies. Many of the discussions continued in smaller groups throughout the evening and night, whether in the sauna, in the Baltic Sea, or at the bar.

Sharing our work

Students and postdocs had the opportunity to present their own work in a flash talk, followed by two poster sessions, which were very well attended and sparked many fruitful discussions. These sessions not only highlighted the exciting research being carried out by early-career scientists but also provided valuable feedback, new ideas, and networking opportunities that will help shape future projects and collaborations.

In addition to the poster prizes, FEBS and EMBO organized a Joint FEBS/EMBO Lecture Courses Special 2005–2025 Award for the joint courses in 2025. We were delighted that our posters “To degrade or not to degrade: Controlling ribosome abundance during starvation” (Insa Klemt, ETH Zurich) and “Characterization of novel nascent chain quality control factors & their proteome-wide impact” (Rawad Hanna, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology) were selected for this recognition.

The value of community for young scientists

The school offered an inspiring environment for young scientists to meet leading principal investigators and interact with peers from diverse research backgrounds. Engaging in open discussions – whether during lectures, poster sessions, or over informal coffee breaks – provided valuable insights into science, career paths, and creative research ideas. It was delightful to see how accessible and encouraging many of the speakers were, fostering an atmosphere of genuine mentorship. Beyond the science, the experience reinforced the importance of community and collaboration in shaping not only our projects but also our growth as researchers. Equally important were the connections formed among participants themselves; sharing our projects, challenges, and ambitions created a sense of belonging that extended well beyond the classroom. These interactions often spark collaborations that continue long after the meeting ends, building a network of scientists who can support and inspire one another throughout their careers.

This meeting was truly a reminder that science advances through persistence, creativity, and collaboration, and that today’s efforts of the scientific community will shape the next generation’s understanding of proteostasis.

We are truly grateful to EMBO, FEBS, and the organizers for creating such a vibrant platform that empowers young scientists to learn, connect, and contribute.

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

Photos provided by Insa Klemt (ETH Zurich) and Rawad Hanna (Technion – Israel Institute of Technology).