Autophagy

LS2 Section Autophagy 

founded in March 2017

The field of autophagy research has grown immensely over the last few years due to significant new scientific insights:

  • 2016 Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Prof. Yoshinori Ohsumi for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy has highlighted its importance. Autophagy research in Switzerland is well developing.
  • Of interest, several national autophagy associations have been founded in Europe: France: cfatg.org, Germany: autophagie-gbm.de, UK: autophagy.uk, Spain: NEAR: Network of Excellence for Autophagy Research, Nordic Countries: nordicautophagy.org
  • A Swiss autophagy association allow for a better and intensified knowledge transfer as well as networking among autophagy groups in Switzerland, particularly during annual section meetings. 
  • Lastly, Swiss research groups are actively participating in the Transautophagy COST action
    cost-transautophagy.eu ("TRANSAUTOPHAGY: European network for multidisciplinary research and translation of autophagy knowledge." Autophagy. 2016;12(3):614-7)

The Swiss LS2 Autophagy section will increase the chance to render the scientific successes and outreach efforts of the COST Action more perennial in Switzerland.

Executive Committee 

Julen P. Puyal - President
University of Lausanne
JulienPierre.Puyal@unil.ch

Vassiliki Nikoletopoulou - Vice-President
University of Lausanne
vassiliki.nikoletopoulou@unil.ch

Jörn Dengjel
University of Fribourg
joern.dengjel@unifr.ch

Céline Michard - Communication
University of Geneva
Celine.Michard@unige.ch

Events from the LS2 Section Autophagy 

  • 11th Swiss Apoptosis & Autophagy Meeting 2021 - SA2M

9-10 September 2021 - Bern
Details and pictures here: https://meetings.ls2.ch/sa2m-2021

  • Symposium at the LS2 Annual Meeting 2021: "Autophagy and Ageing – implications for age-related diseases"
    Chaired by Alexander Eggel (UNIBE) and Jörn Dengjel (UNIFR).

17 - 19 February 2021 - Online
Invited speakers: Katja Simon from Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (UK) with her talk "Autophagy in Immune Senescence" and Linda Partridge from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (DE) with her talk "Ageing: a gut feeling"
Details of the event here: https://annual-meeting.ls2.ch/2021

  • Autophagy Workshop 2020: "Molecular Mechanisms of Autophagy"

7 September, 2020 - Fribourg
Details of the event here: https://meetings.ls2.ch/autophagy-workshop-2020

  • Symposium LS2 Annual Meeting 2018: "Novel Regulatory Mechanisms in Autophagy and Apoptosis"
    Chaired by Mario Tschan & Jörn Dengjel

12-13 February 2018, Amphimax/Amphipôle Lausanne
Invited speakers: Thomas Kaufmann (University of Bern) with his talk: "A new Player in the Field: Apoptosis Regulation by the BCL-2 Family Member BOK" and Elena Cardenal Muñoz (University of Geneva) with her talk: "Pathogenic mycobacteria manipulate the xenophagy defence of their amoeba host"
Details of the event here: https://annual-meeting.ls2.ch/2018.

The topic of autophagy research was also reflected by the fact that the chairman of the LS2 Annual Meeting 2018, Prof. Christian Münz, invited several world renowned autophagy experts as keynote speakers:
Autophagy and infectious disease – Sharon Tooze, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
Autophagy and immunology – Skip Virgin, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
Autophagy and cell biology – Tamotsu Yoshimori, Osaka University, Japan
Autophagy and neuroscience – Andrea Ballabio, Telethon, Naples, Italy, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA

PhD Students in Autophagy and Metabolic Signaling (University of Fribourg) 

The Dengjel and De Virgilio Labs at the Dept. of Biology, University of Fribourg are interested in cellular
signal transduction and protein homeostasis. We characterize molecular pathways critical for cell
homeostasis, autophagy regulation and autophagosome biogenesis and employ mammalian and/or yeast
cell culture models, protein biochemistry, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (1-4). Current projects
are supported by third-party grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and private foundations.
We look for highly motivated PhD students with interests in the areas outlined above. Excellent
communication skills in English are of benefit.

We offer:
• a stimulating, interdisciplinary scientific environment
• state-of-the-art central facilities for proteomic, imaging and bioinformatic analyses
• a coordinated graduate program (https://www.unifr.ch/bio/en/studies/graduate-school-fglm/)
• a competitive Swiss salary

Fribourg and its University are located in the heart of Switzerland, 30 min from Bern and 50 min from
Lausanne. Research and life conditions are excellent. Major facilities are either on campus or available
through national networks. The Dengjel Lab is actively engaged in SKINTEGRITY.CH and Life Science
Switzerland (LS2).

The starting date for this position is July 1st, 2024 (or later). Interested candidates should send a SINGLE
PDF application including a CV, a brief statement of their research interests, a copy of their MSc diploma,
and names of three referees by email to: stephanie.kaeser-pebernard@unifr.ch

THANK YOU - Swiss Apoptosis & Autophagy Meeting (SA2M) 2023

Thank you all for participating and contributing to this great event!

Please have a look at the meeting pictures HERE.

We hope to see you at the next edition!

Poster Prizes: #17 Rosalie HEILIG and #35: Ishita PARUI. €150.- each by the FEBS JOURNAL

Short Talk prize: Alicia BORGEAUD (abstract #5), CHF 200 sponsored by LS2

Summer course for Master and PhD students, Aarhus University, DK – July-August 2024

Don't let this chance slip away! Catch the opportunity to be a part of the new AU Summer School focusing on "Autophagy in Neurodegeneration, Neuroinflammation, and Immunity: Unraveling Molecular Mechanisms to Disease." Esteemed researchers in the autophagy field have graciously committed to providing both in-person and remote teaching, along with insightful research lectures. Embrace the unique chance to learn from these experts, gaining unparalleled knowledge that will undoubtedly enhance your studies and propel your career forward. Secure your spot as a student by registering using the link below, but act fast—seats are limited!

More information.

Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research

Nominations for the prize are now live and will be live through April 17th!

Have a look at the information below:

The landing page for the prize with a biography of Beth and information about the prize itself
The nominations page. Nominators will submit nominees’ information on this page.
A publication in UT Southwestern’s campus newsletter with additional information about the prize.
 

You can direct any questions about the prize to the email address: BethLevineM.D.Prize@UTSouthwestern.edu

Winners of the Autophagy Workshop 2022

Winner of the Best Short Talk: Myra Chavez (University of Bern, CH)

Winners of the Best Poster Prizes: 

  • 1st prize - Pauline Depierre (University of Lausanne, CH)
  • 2nd prize - Jana Elsaesser (University of Freiburg, CH)
Winner of the LS2 Sponsored Prize at CFATG Meeting 2022

The LS2 Section Autophagy sponsored this year a Best Poster Award during the 10th CFATG Conference in Besaçon, France (May 31 - June 02, 2022).

The winner was Noémie Pied

Congratulations!!

The award was given by the past president of the LS2 Section Autophagy and current Vice-president of LS2 Prof. Mario Tschan

European and International Affiliations
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