Aging is associated with an increased risk of developing various blood disorders, either malignant (myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloma, lymphomas) or non-malignant (anemias, primary immunodeficiency and coagulation disorders). The different incidence of blood disorders at different ages clearly suggests that they reflect physiological changes at the DNA or protein levels in hematopoietic cells and in the environment where they mature (the bone marrow niche) in response to changing stimuli throughout life. Yet, the molecular and cellular pathways implicated in hematopoietic aging and associated hematological disease remain poorly understood.

To address these questions, we are organizing the FEBS Workshop on the Molecular and Cellular Pathways of Aging in Hematopoiesis on 20–24 October 2025, in Crete. The Workshop will bring together basic, translational and clinical researchers to discuss key aspects of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell ontogeny, cell fate specification, and self-renewal upon aging and malignant transformation.

The importance of cell-autonomous genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional and metabolic hematopoietic regulatory mechanisms, and of the local bone marrow niche, or of systemic factors such as inflammation, will be discussed by expert in hematopoiesis, aging and stem cell biology. The culmination of innovative therapies, state-of-the-art technologies such as metabolomics and single-cell sequencing in different model systems to unravel essential regulators of hematopoiesis, will also be highlighted. The meeting will also showcase the clinical relevance of the hematopoietic system with aging and will demonstrate how findings from basic research in model organisms can lead to improved therapeutic application of cells and molecules. 

The scientific program includes seven scientific sessions, five Keynote Lectures from leaders in hematopoiesis research, two quickfire poster presentations sessions selected from the poster abstracts during, two poster sessions where all participants will be strongly encouraged to present their work, and up to 12 short oral presentations selected from the abstracts. Lectures on Science Policy and Women in Science and a Meet-the-Editor session are also planned as part of the scientific program.

The Workshop will take place at the beautiful Kalimera Kriti Resort, in the picturesque village of Sissi in Crete.  The resort is located 30km from Heraklion International Airport which is served daily by 7 flights from Athens Airport and by frequent direct flights from many European cities and Israel.

Registration of the Workshop is now open with a deadline for registration and abstract submission on 31 August 2025.

A limited number of Youth Travel Fund (YTF) Awards, including one Transcontintental Youth Travel Fund (trans-YTF) Award, are available to support participation of early-career scientists. Support for the trans-YTF Award is provided by the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Each YTF award is €800 and will cover the registration fee (€310), shared accommodation in a twin room for 4 nights (€450) and a small contribution towards travel expenses (€70). The trans-YTF award is for a maximum of $2000 and will cover the registration fee (€310), shared accommodation in a twin room for 4 nights (€450) and travel expenses to attend the meeting in Crete. Deadline for applications for YTF Awards 31 July 2025.

Join us for what promises to be a very exciting meeting at the cutting edge of research on Aging in Haematopoiesis, taking place in a beautiful location in sunny Crete! Please click on the poster below to access a downloadable PDF that we invite you to share with interested colleagues and relevant networks. Thank you!

Top image of the post provided by Kalimera Kriti Resort.