Physiology - LS² Sections - Life Sciences Switzerland

LS² Section Physiology

How life works - exploring life through function

Physiology is one of the pillars of biomedical research, as its own discipline but also as one of the basic disciplines in medical science. Physiology helps us understand the principles of how the body functions.

Physiology extends our knowledge of the interaction of cells and organs to the level of the entire organism, with the complex interactions among all its components. In other words, physiology follows a holistic approach which is indispensable for understanding our body.

Understanding the physiological situation also means that we get a better understanding of dysfunction of cells, tissues, organs and of the entire metabolism. Eventually, this will enable us to identify novel therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment of diseases.

The Swiss Physiological Society was founded in 1969 and merged with LS² in 2016 as a section.
This section has the following goals:

to promote physiology in research and teaching
to support promising young researchers
to strengthen physiology worldwide

Section Board

President

Thomas Lutz
University of Zurich
tomlutz@vetphys.uzh.ch

Vice-President

David Hoogewijs
University of Fribourg
david.hoogewijs@unifr.ch

Past-President

Christine Peinelt
University of Bern
christine.peinelt@unibe.ch

Board Member

Nicolas Demaurex
University of Geneva
nicolas.demaurex@unige.ch

Board Member

Zhihong Yang
University of Fribourg
zhihong.yang@unifr.ch

Board Member

Marc Chanson
University of Geneva
marc.chanson@unige.ch

Board Member

Nina Ullrich
University of Bern
nina.ullrich@unibe.ch

How to join the LS² Physiology Section?

Existing LS² Members: Log in at www.ls2.ch using your member name and password. Click on your name at the top right of the page. Go to "Account Overview" and add the new section using the checkbox "Physiology". Alternatively, you can write to the LS² office (info@ls2.ch) and request the change.

New Members: Apply for the LS² membership here and select "Physiology" in the online application form.

Apply to become a member!

News and Events:

A look back: Swiss Physiology Meeting 2026

The Swiss Physiology Meeting 2026, held on 3 September at HEIA-FR in Fribourg, brought together researchers from across Switzerland for a day of scientific exchange, discussion and networking. The programme featured keynote lectures, scientific presentations and poster sessions spanning diverse areas of physiology, providing an opportunity for researchers at different career stages to share their latest findings and connect with colleagues from across the field. See photos HERE.

A highlight of the meeting was the recognition of outstanding early-career research through the Young Investigator Awards, awarded by the Stiftung für Physiologie, Portland Press’ Clinical Science and Microsynth AG .

We warmly congratulate the winners: Kathrin von Bassewitz (1^st Prize, PhD), Jutta Schillings (2^nd Prize, PhD), Greta Lommi (Best Flash Presentation, PhD), Laura Brandt (1^st Prize, Postdoc), Bahareh Nazari (2^nd Prize, Postdoc) and Enaam Chleilat (Best Flash Presentation, Postdoc).

We also congratulate Philipp M. Späne, who received the Best Poster Award, sponsored by Nikon, for his work on the effects of azole antifungals on adrenal steroidogenesis.

We thank all speakers, presenters, participants and sponsors for contributing to a stimulating meeting! Hope to see you all in 2027 in Bern for the Physiology and ICMT joint meeting!

Swiss Physiology Meeting 2026

Registration is now open for the Swiss Physiology Meeting 2026, taking place in Fribourg on September 3, 2026. This one-day meeting offers a stimulating scientific program featuring two keynote lectures, presentations and flash talks by early-career researchers, and an interactive poster session that fosters exchange across the Swiss physiology community.

This year’s keynote speakers are Andreas Draguhn (University of Heidelberg, Germany), whose work focuses on neuro- and pathophysiology, and Susanna Zierler (Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria), an expert in pharmacology. Their lectures will highlight cutting-edge developments and provide valuable perspectives for researchers across disciplines.

A major highlight of the meeting is the Young Investigator Award (YIA) contest. Early Career Researchers, including PhD students and early postdoctoral fellows, are strongly encouraged to participate, present their ongoing work, and compete for prizes recognizing outstanding oral and poster presentations. The YIA offers an excellent opportunity to gain visibility, receive expert feedback, and connect with senior scientists.

Submission for the Young Investigator Award closes on May 31, 2026

Poster abstract submission (outside the YIA) closes on June 30, 2026

General registration closes on August 16, 2026.

Find out more, submit your abstract and register HERE.

The meeting is organized by Thomas Lutz (University of Zurich), Zhihong Yang, and David Hoogewijs (both University of Fribourg), with support from the LS² Section Physiology.

International Affiliation

International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS)

European Affiliation

Federation of European Physiological Societies (FEPS)

IUPS Beacon Symposium 2026

The International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) is pleased to announce the IUPS Beacon Symposium 2026, part of its series of small, focused meetings designed to foster in-depth scientific exchange and support early-career researchers. Under the theme “Physiology Ahead: Orchestration of Multiple Systems,” the symposium will take place on 15-16 September 2026 at the Okazaki Conference Center in Okazaki, Aichi, Japan, co-hosted by the National Institute for Physiological Sciences. Chaired by Professor Kazuhiro Nakamura (Nagoya University), the meeting will bring together leading experts and emerging scientists for an immersive and interactive discussion of cutting-edge topics in physiology.

The symposium website is now open and provides detailed information on the scientific programme and invited speakers. Registration for general participants and abstract submission for poster presentations are currently open, with a deadline of 15 June 2026. A limited number of travel grants will be available for early-career researchers, awarded competitively by the organizing committee.

Call for symposium proposals for the FEPS-SIF Brescia 2026 meeting

The organizers of FEPS-SIF Brescia 2026 meeting are seeking 90-minute symposium proposals that tackle cutting-edge topics in Physiology and create strong intellectual synergy among speakers. Across the three days of the meeting, 15 symposia will be selected. Successful proposals should address significant physiological questions in an interdisciplinary way and appeal to a broad, multidisciplinary audience.

Each proposal should name one or two organisers (maximum one may also speak) and include four speakers: ideally two senior leaders and two early-career researchers (≤10 years post-PhD). Balance of gender, geography, and career stage is mandatory: single-gender or single-country symposia will not be considered, and speakers from the same country must come from different institutions. Symposia run for 90 minutes (4 × 20-min talks), all speakers must submit abstracts, and the Scientific Committee may merge similar proposals or request changes. Proposals must fit within one of the listed physiology areas (see full rules online).

Submissions are accepted only via the online form from 12 January to 20 February 2026 and must include a symposium title and summary, plus full details and recent publications for each chair and speaker. Outcomes will be communicated by 31 March 2026. By 15 May 2026, organisers and speakers of selected symposia must register and pay the Congress fee, and speakers must submit their individual abstracts. Full eligibility criteria and submission requirements are detailed in the official rules and applicants are strongly encouraged to review them before applying.

15^th Symposium of the Young Physiologists

Mark your calendars: the 15ᵗʰ Symposium of the Young Physiologists (JP2026) will take place from 8 to 10 April 2026 in Berlin. The program includes multiple oral sessions, a plenary lecture, poster session, and networking opportunities.

The symposium welcomes early-career researchers in physiology and related fields. Accepted contributions will be featured in either oral sessions (21 presentations across 7 sessions) or one of two poster sessions. There will be prizes for outstanding presentations. Travel grants are also available.

The registration is free!
Submit your abstract and register by 31.01.2025!

11th International CGRP Family Peptides Conference

The 11^th International CGRP Family Peptides Conference will be held from 8 to 11 April 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland, bringing together leading researchers and clinicians to discuss the latest advances in CGRP peptide biology and its therapeutic potential. Hosted by the University of Zurich, this international meeting continues a long-standing conference series dedicated to understanding CGRP peptides and their receptors as promising drug targets across multiple areas of medicine.

The scientific programme will address key topics such as the molecular pharmacology of CGRP receptors, RAMP biology and peptide signalling, neuroinflammation and migraine mechanisms, as well as cardiovascular and metabolic roles. Additional sessions will explore stem cells, angiogenesis, and emerging therapeutic strategies, while keynote lectures from internationally recognised experts will foster discussion, collaboration, and networking among participants.

The meeting will open with on-site registration and a welcome apéro on 8 April 2026 at the UZH Irchel campus.

The conference fee for scientific participants is CHF 480. Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals with an interest in peptide biology and drug development are warmly invited to attend.

Register by March 10!

Swiss Physiology Meeting 2025

We had a fantastic day at the Swiss Physiology Meeting 2025!

We were thrilled to welcome an inspiring community of scientists, sharing cutting-edge research and fresh insights in their fields. Thomas Nevian and Timo Müller delivered great plenary talks, 14 ECRs competed for YIA prizes and everyone got to attend a great industry exhibition. See meeting pictures HERE.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and special appreciation to our amazing organizing team: Thomas, Nina, and David. Moreover, this event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

Congratulations to all Young Investigator Award winners:

PhD students:

Masaba Sayor Baroi (UNIBE) - Best oral presentation
Océane Derivaz (UNIFR) - 2nd best oral presentation
Sophie Ebert (UNIBAS) - Best poster flash talk

Postdocs:

Carina Osterhof (UNIFR) - Best oral presentation
Shannon Cox (UZH) - 2nd best oral presentation
Thomas Forro (UNIBE) - Best poster flash talk

We are especially grateful to the Stiftung für Physiologie and Ernst Niggli for making these awards possible.

Congrats also to Oleg Mikhajlov for winning the Best Poster Award, sponsored by Nikon.

Looking forward to see you all next year!

New Board Member in 2025

As of February 2025, Section Physiology has been joined by a new board member Nina Ullrich*.

Welcome Nina!

*The final approval vote will take place at the 2026 General Assembly.

Physiology and ICMT joint Meeting 2023

The meeting took place on 6 September 2023 in Bern. With more than 80 participants, it was a real success.

Thank you to speakers, participants and sponsors!

See all details of the meeting here.

Swiss Physiology Meeting 2019

3 September 2019, University of Bern

Including the Young Investigator Award (YIA) by the "Stiftung Physiology" (former Oetliker Foundation) to the best posters & best talks.

Congrats to the YIA winners!
Best oral presentation: Axel Tollance/UNIGE (PhD student) & Anna Keppner/UNIFR (Postdoc)
2nd prize oral presentation: Olga Rusiecka/UNIGE (PhD student) & Mehdi Badaoui/UNIGE (Postdoc)
Best poster with flash presentation: Julia Günter/UZH (PhD student) & Julie Calonne/UNIFR (Postdoc)

All infos on:
https://meetings.ls2.ch/physiology2019

With kind support by SCNAT.
Pictures credit: Christopher Henry/UNIGE

98th Meeting of the German Physiological Society

Joint meeting with the Austrian Physiological Society (APS) and the LS² section Physiology 30 September - 2 October 2019 in Ulm, Germany

A very successful meeting (around 700 participants!) which offered a jam-packed programme full of excellent content, including 4 plenary lectures, 18 symposia, 11 oral sessions, and two poster sessions with poster-prizes. Didactic workshops and lectures addressed the important issue of teaching physiology to students - the physiologists of the future. Moreover, a public lecture given by Dr. Mark Benecke further engaged students and community alike.

All info about the meeting can be found here: http://www.dpg2019.de.

Swiss Physiology Meeting 2018

4 September

Congratulations to the Young Investigator Award winners!

Please find all meeting pictures here. Photographer: Christopher Henry/UNIGE.
With kind support from SCNAT.

https://meetings.ls2.ch/physiology2018