Autumn Thematic School 2025 “Disease understanding and modeling using genomics, multi-omics, organoids and animal models”

This year’s Thematic School, titled “Disease understanding and modeling using genomics, multi-omics, organoids and animal models”, organized by the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology on November 5-7, 2025, was a truly exceptional event. It was also a moment when newly admitted PhD candidates had the opportunity to present their research topics, allowing members of the SMM Scientific Council as well as other participants to become familiar with the diversity of scientific projects being carried out.

The shared participation in lectures and workshops fostered integration, the exchange of experiences, and the development of collaboration among PhD candidates at various stages of their training. The workshops, in particular, proved to be an extremely valuable and inspiring component of the event – they created space for practical learning, asking in-depth questions, and acquiring new skills that will undoubtedly contribute to future scientific work.

The event agenda showcased an impressive breadth of topics, combining fundamental research, translational projects, and cutting-edge technologies used in molecular medicine. The program included presentations on, among others, dendritic-cell metabolism in the context of susceptibility to viral infections in individuals with diabetes; the role of mixed-lineage kinases in tumor microenvironment interactions and chemoresistance; the use of iPSCs, induced neurons, and organoids in the study of brain diseases; new concepts for enhancing mRNA vaccine efficacy; and even aspects of historical genomics that help us understand past populations. This broad scope allowed PhD candidates to view molecular medicine from a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, the organizer of the Thematic School, for her dedication, scientific guidance, and for creating an environment that fosters active scientific growth.

As an integral part of the Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine program, the Thematic School once again demonstrated how important collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual inspiration are within the community of young scientists.