Unicellular and invertebrate models: bridging genetics and biomedical innovation | 1st edition

13-17 April 2026 | i3S, Porto

This is an intensive 5-day hands-on course that offers lectures by research experts on key invertebrate and microbial model organisms, more specifically worms (C. elegans), flies (D. melanogaster), yeast (S. cerevisiae), bacteria (cyanobacteria and L. monocytogenes). Participants will gain deep insights into the characteristics, advantages and research applications of these models, as well as learn and perform experimental manipulation. The course emphasizes dynamic collaboration, with participants with distinct backgrounds developing team projects under the guidance of the lecturers, fostering an interactive learning experience to explore the model organism(s) that are best suited to address specific scientific questions.

Course organizers: Ana Xavier de Carvalho (i3S) and Eurico Morais de Sá (i3S)

Target audience: Researchers in general, including Master students, PhD students, postdocs, etc

Course duration: 40 hours, 13-17 April 2026, 9:30-17:30

Course language: English

Requirements: A laptop will be necessary to participate in the course.

Certificate: minimum 80% attendance, 100% attendance practical classes

Poster

The workshop will be held at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde.
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208; 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Tel: +351 226 074 900 | E-mail: events@i3s.up.pt
GPS coordinates: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W.

- For each model, C. elegans, Drosophila, yeast, cyanobacteria and Listeria, understand its fundamental biology, life cycle and development, genetics and genomic tools, ethical considerations, disease and biomedical research applications, experimental techniques and model-specific methods.

- Understand the advantages and limitations of each model system.

- Learn about their contributions to genetics, cell biology, and biomedical research.

- Compare and contrast the experimental advantages of different systems.

- Develop hands-on laboratory skills for handling and culturing each model organism.

- Evaluate which model organism best suits specific scientific questions.

- Engage with peers to design a research project around a chosen theme, justifying the choice of model organism(s) based on scientific rationale.

- Receive feedback on project design and model selection.

- Benefit from lectures and mentorship by specialists in each model system.

- Connect with experts and fellow researchers in the field.

Filipe Pinto, PhD, Associate Researcher, Bioengineering & Synthetic Microbiology – cyanobacteria module

Sandra Sousa, PhD, Group Leader, Cell Biology of Bacterial Infections – bacterial pathogens module

Didier Cabanes, PhD, Group Leader, Molecular Microbiology – bacterial pathogens module

Vitor Costa, PhD, Group Leader, Yeast Signalling Networks

Ana Xavier de Carvalho, PhD, Group Leader, Cytoskeletal Dynamics Lab, i3S – C. elegans module

Reto Gassmann, PhD, Group Leader. Cell Division Mechanisms Lab, i3S – C. elegans module

Eurico Morais de Sá, PhD, Group Leader, Epithelial Polarity and Cell Division, i3S – Drosophila module

Florence Janody, PhD, Group Leader, Cytoskeletal Regulation & Cancer, i3S - Drosophila module

Paulo Pereira, PhD, Group Leader, Cell Growth and Differentiation - Drosophila module

Registration fee includes lunches and course materials.

The course will be limited to 20 participants. Each participant will have the opportunity to take part in two hands-on modules: one focused on a unicellular model and another on an invertebrate model. The choice of models will be defined by the course organizers, guided primarily by the interests and preferences expressed by participants in the pre-registration inquiry.

Fees:
i3S members / P.CCC Raquel Seruca members – 100€
U.Porto members – 130€
External members - 160€

Pre-registration deadline: 2nd February 2026

Pre-registration form >>

Please complete the form inquiry, as it will be important for the organizers when planning and allocating places.
Pre-registration does not guarantee admission. To form dynamic and well-balanced teams, the organizers will invite candidates based on diversity of backgrounds and interests. For the practical sessions, places are limited for each model and will be allocated according to the preferences indicated in the pre-registration form until all spots are filled.

Payment will be requested only after confirmation of acceptance. Details for payment will be sent in the confirmation registration e-mail.

Cancelation policy
The i3S will apply the following cancelation policy:

Cancellation by the course participant
In case a registered participant wishes to cancel a payed registration or does not attend the course, the registration fee will not be refunded.
Substitutions will only be made in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the course organizers.
 

Cancellation by the Institution:
The i3S reserves the right to cancel the course, in case of an insufficient number of participants, organizational reasons, or other unforeseeable events that render the execution of the course impossible. In case of cancelation by the organization the fee will be refunded.
In addition, i3S reserves the right to amend course times, dates or published prices if absolutely necessary. The organizer shall immediately inform the pre-registered participants of these alterations. Any cancellation or substitution requests should be requested by e-mail.

More information:
Advanced Training Unit | E-mail: training@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900