The Twin4Promis Training School at the University of Cambridge, held on January 17 and 18, 2024, was a captivating exploration of cutting-edge research and methodologies in the field of protein misfolding. The program, carefully curated by the organizer Michele Vendruscolo, promised an immersive experience for young scientists eager to delve into the field of neurodegenerative diseases and related studies.

Day 1 – January 17, 2024

The event kicked off with a warm welcome and opening remarks by Georgios Skretas, setting the stage for an exciting journey. Subsequently, captivating discussions unfolded as the following speakers took the stage.

Samuel Dada (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “Phase Separation of Alpha-Synuclein”

Alessia Santambrogio (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “A brain-derived tau aggregation assay”

Shengyu Zhang (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “Sequence-based drug design using transformers”

Day 2 – January 18, 2024

The second day unraveled with a sequence of intellectually stimulating sessions.

Mateo Sanchez Lopez (Wellcome Trust Fellow, University of Cambridge): “Molecular Tools for the Mapping and Manipulation of Neuronal Circuits”

Alicia Gonzalez-Diaz (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “iPSC-Derived Cell Models of Alzheimer’s Disease”

Rahul Arora (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “Classification of Brain Diseases Based on Transcriptomics”

Michele Vendruscolo’s keynote on “Targeting Protein Aggregation in Neurodegenerative Diseases” provided profound insights into the challenges and opportunities in this critical area.

A networking lunch followed, fostering interactions among participants. In the afternoon, attendees were treated to insights from:

Xing Xu (Research Associate, University of Cambridge): “Affinity maturation of computationally designed fragments for the next generation nanobody discovery”

Oded Rimon (Research Associate, University of Cambridge): “Targeted Protein Editing with an Antibody-Based System”

Aubin Ramon (PhD student, University of Cambridge): “Deep Learning Assessment of Antibody Nativeness”

The day ended in a dynamic round table discussion on opportunities for collaborations, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the event. Michele Vendruscolo closed the day with thoughtful closing remarks, leaving participants inspired and eager to apply their newfound knowledge. It should be mentioned that young scientists had the opportunity to present their work and get fruitful feedback from experts in their field.

The Twin4Promis Training School has undoubtedly left an indelible mark, fostering a community of forward-thinking researchers and opening doors to new possibilities in the realm of protein misfolding. Twin4Promis would like to thank the organizers once again for curating this event. Your energy and engagement truly made this event exceptional.