PHASAGE
PhasAGE – Excellence Hub on Phase Transitions in Aging and Age-Related Disorders
phasage international conference
III PhasAGE International Conference
18-20 OCTOBER 2023
i3S, Porto, Portugal
Multiscale understanding of protein aggregation and biomolecular condensates in aging and disease
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we extend a warm welcome to you for the upcoming PhasAGE International Conference on the “Multiscale understanding of protein aggregation and biomolecular condensates in aging and disease”. We are honoured to invite you to join us in the beautiful city of Porto, from 18 to 20 October 2023.
This conference will bring together researchers from multidisciplinary fields dedicated to unraveling the intricacies of protein aggregation and biomolecular condensates in the context of aging and disease. The scientific program features keynote lectures, invited talks, short talk presentations, and poster sessions, where researchers can share their ground-breaking findings and latest advancements.
The conference will encompass a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from structural biology and biophysics to cell biology, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging-related pathologies. We aim to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue that will pave the way for breakthrough discoveries and novel therapeutic interventions.
The event will take place at i3S renowned for its cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art infrastructure, providing an ideal setting for fruitful discussions and scientific collaborations. In addition to the scientific program, we have also curated a social event and networking opportunities to foster interactions and create lasting connections within the scientific community. These activities will offer a chance to explore the charm of Porto in an informal and convivial atmosphere.
We sincerely hope that this conference will be a remarkable experience for you, marked by academic excellence, lively debates, and collaborative endeavors. Your contribution and active participation will be vital in shaping the future of research in protein aggregation and biomolecular condensates.
We look forward to hosting you in Porto, where together we will embark on an exciting scientific journey toward a deeper understanding of aging and disease.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Sheena Radford | The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, UK
Sushma Nagaraja Grellscheid | University of Bergen, Norway
Steven Boeynaems | Baylor College of Medicine, USA
Thomas Maresca | University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA
João Pedro Magalhães | Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK
Rebecca Beveridge | University of Strathclyde, UK
Georgios Skretas | Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, Greece
Maria João Amorim | Católica Biomedical Research Centre, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
Sandrine da Cruz | VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
Peter Tompa | VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Belgium
Alexander Monzon | University of Padova, Italy
Salvador Ventura | Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
Ludo Van Den Bosch | VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
Joana Moscoso | Chaperone & Native Scientists, Portugal
Sandra Ribeiro | IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Isabel Silveira | IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
A Biotech Workshop will be organized exclusively for invited participants as a pre-event of the scientific conference.
17 October 2023
Place: Meeting Room A, i3S
14:00-17:00
Biotech Workshop
18 October 2023
Place: Auditorium Mariano Gago, i3S
08:30-09:00
Registration
09:00-09:15
Welcome Session *
Sandra Ribeiro | IBMC/i3S, Portugal
KEYNOTE LECTURE
09:15-10:15
Targeting dipeptide repeat-driven condensation in ALS/FTD *
Peter Tompa | VIB-VUB, Belgium
10:15-10:30
Coffee Break
Aging and neurodegenerative diseases I
10:30-11:00
Predicting protein condensation from sequence: new and widespread roles for condensates in physiology and disease *
Steven Boeynaems |Baylor College of Medicine, USA
11:00-11:30
Probing the Mechanics of Stress Granules in Young versus Senescent cells *
Sushma Grellscheid | Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway
11:30-12:00
Understanding the Role of the Non-coding Genome in Neurodegenerative Diseases *
Isabel Silveira | IBMC, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
12:00-14:00
Lunch
selected short talks i
14:00-14:20
Redox-dependent formation of a viral amyloid and functional impact
Sonia Longhi, Aix Marseille University and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
14:20-14:40
Redox-dependent phase separation and cytoplasmic granulation by human single-stranded DNA binding protein 1 (hSSB1) delineate new mechanisms of cellular stress response
Mihály Kovács, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary
14:40-14:50
BLM helicase protein negatively regulates stress granule formation through unwinding RNA G-quadruplex structures
Yehuda-Matan Danino, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
14:50-15:15
Coffee Break
ESR SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
15:15-15:45
Accurate chromosome segregation requires multimerization of sticky kinetochore IDRs *
Thomas Maresca | Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA
15:45-16:15
Phase transitions and aggregation of RNA binding proteins: towards mechanisms of toxicity in ALS/FTD *
Sandrine da Cruz | VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
16:15-16:45
Drivers of influenza A virus liquid inclusions *
Maria João Amorim | Católica Biomedical Research Centre, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
18:00-22:00
Social Event/Conference Dinner
19 October 2023
Place: Auditorium Mariano Gago, i3S
Aging and neurodegenerative diseases II
09:00-09:30
Abnormal phase separation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): hype or reality? *
Ludo Van Den Bosch | VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
09:30-10:00
Design of novel functional amyloid assemblies *
Salvador Ventura | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
10:00-10:10
Getting a grip on biomolecular condensates with optical tweezers
Vincenzo Mascoli | Lumicks, The Netherlands
10:10-11:30
Poster Session & Coffee Break
11:30-12:00
Bacteria to the rescue: engineering microorganisms to function as an early-stage living drug discovery platform for protein misfolding diseases *
Georgios Skretas | Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, Greece
12:00-13:30
Lunch
13:30-14:00
Group Photo
Advances on integrative computational and experimental methods to study condensates
14:00-14:30
PED in 2024: improving the community deposition of structural ensembles for intrinsically disordered proteins *
Alexander Monzon, Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
Selected Short Talks ii
14:30-14:40
NAGPKin: A new web tool to quantify Nucleation-And-Growth Parameters from the KINetics of protein phase separation
Pedro Martins, IBMC, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
14:40-14:50
Advanced optical microscopy approach to biophysical study of biocondensates
Pedro Silva, Hasselt University, Belgium
14:50-15:00
In planta expression of human polyQ-expanded huntingtin fragment reveals mechanisms to prevent disease-related protein aggregation
Ernesto Llamas, University of Cologne, Germany
15:00-16:00
Poster Session & Coffee Break
Selected Short Talks iiI
16:00-16:10
Barrier-properties of Nup98 FG phases ruled by FG motif identity and inter-FG spacer length
Sheung Chun Ng, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Germany
16:10-16:20
A crystal-based assay for sensing transthyretin monomers
Diogo Rodrigues, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto, Portugal
16:20-16:30
Exploring membraneless organelles and disease connections through integrated network analysis
Francesco Gregoris, University of Padua, Italy
KEYNOTE LECTURE
16:30-17:30
Surveying the energy landscape of amyloid formation *
Sheena Radford | Astbury Centre, University of Leeds, UK
20 October 2023
Place: Auditorium Mariano Gago, i3S
Selected Short Talks iv
09:15-09:35
Phase separation of TDP-43 and its fragments
Fabrizio Chiti, University of Florence, Italy
09:35-09:45
TP53INP2 induced p62 condensates regulate autophagy
Saska Ivanova, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Spain
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
09:45-10:45
The pursuit of a dream: science for me and for all
Joana Moscoso | Chaperone & Native Scientists, Portugal
10:45-11:00
Coffee Break
New and Notable
11:00-11:30
Ion mobility mass spectrometry unveils global protein conformations in response to conditions that promote and reverse liquid-liquid phase separation *
Rebecca Beveridge | Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
11:30-12:00
Unlocking the Potential of Small Molecule Inhibitors to Disrupt Amyloid Aggregates: Lessons for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Therapies *
Sandra Ribeiro | IBMC, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
plenary lecture
12:00-13:00
Integrative genomics of ageing: New approaches for an “old” problem *
João Pedro Magalhães | Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK
13:00-13:30
Closing Session
REGISTRATION
Registration for this conference is closed.
Deadline | Status | |
Abstract submission | August 21, 2023 | Closed. |
Abstract decision | August 28, 2023 | Closed. |
Early registration | August 31, 2023 | Closed. |
Late registration | September 22, 2023 | Closed. |
Registration for online participation | October 6, 2023 | Closed. |
Registration for this conference will give access to all scientific sessions, coffee breaks, lunches and conference resources. The fee also includes the social dinner. A confirmation email will be sent after registration is completed.
Registration for online participation will give access to the keynote, plenary and invited scientific lectures (marked with *). After registration and payment, a link for access to online streaming will be sent. Questions can be asked via chat.
Please note that the registration fee is non-refundable.
Early registration (until 31 August) | Late registration (until 22 September) | |
i3S members | 35€ | 85€ |
PhasAGE members | 120€ | 170€ |
External members | 170€ | 220€ |
Industry | 300€ | 350€ |
| Registration (until 6 October) | |
Online participation | 25€ |
The deadline for registration for online participation is 6 October 2023.
ABSTRACT INFORMATION
- Participants are invited to submit one first-authored abstract to present their work as a short talk or poster.
- Participants can select to have their submission for short talk or poster. The abstracts which are not selected for short talk will be considered for poster presentation.
Please bring your presentation ready on a USB key.
Slides can be either in .pdf, .ppt or .pptx format.
The poster dimensions should be 90 (large) x 120 (height) cm.
Please download the available abstract template.
Submit the abstract in the original .doc or .docx format, without figures and limited to 200 words. Use Arial font size 10 pts.
SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Sandra Ribeiro | IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Rita Vilaça | IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Catarina Ferreira | IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal