RNA molecules are central in many biological processes, including gene expression regulation, and orchestration of the host’s cellular response to pathogens. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of RNA regulation and RNA quality control is essential to understand how cells defend themselves against infections and how pathogens manipulate the host’s cellular machinery for their own benefit. In the last years, several research efforts and developments have been made in this field, some of which were essential for the development of innovative therapies to fight infectious diseases.
This conference will explore the contributions from the RNA biology field to the understanding of the interaction between pathogens and their host cells. It will bring together different perspectives on the frontiers of RNA biology and pathogen-host interactions, providing a unique opportunity to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and discuss innovative ideas on novel druggable targets.
Keynotes

Sun Hur
Harvard Medical School,
USA

Jonathan Yewdell
National Institute of Health (NIH),
USA
Speakers

Ana Eulálio
Imperial College London,
UK

Luísa Figueiredo
Instituto de Medicina Molecular,
Portugal

Margarida Gama-Carvalho
University of Lisbon,
Portugal

Stacy Horner
Duke University Medical Center,
USA

Stefanie Kaiser
Goethe University Frankfurt,
Germany

Marjolein Kikkert
Leiden University Medical Center,
The Netherlands

Nicolas Locker
The Pirbright Institute,
UK

Eva Novoa
Centre for Genomic Regulation,
Spain

Tao Pan
University of Chicago,
USA

Gorben Pijlman
Wageningen University,
The Netherlands

Cristian Raileanu
TRON, Johannes Gutenberg University,
Germany

Daniela Ribeiro
University of Aveiro,
Portugal

Emmanuel Saliba
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research,
Germany

Ana Raquel Soares
University of Aveiro,
Portugal

Noam Stern-Ginossar
Weizmann Institute of Science,
Israel

Carine Tisné
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique,
France

Ronald Van Rij
Radboud University Medical Center,
The Netherlands
Programme
> Day 1 | June 4th

> Day 2 | June 5th

> Day 3 | June 6th

> Day 4 | June 7th

Registration
Registration will be open from 5th of February to 10th of May 2024.
Student | 180€ |
Post-Doc / Academic | 300€ |
Industry | 600€ |
Registration fee includes
- Access to the lectures and poster sessions
- Abstract book (pdf)
- 5 coffee breaks
- 2 lunches
- Refreshments & light bites on day
Additional charges apply for the social activity and the conference dinner.
Wine Cellar Visit | 19€ |
Conference Dinner | 55€ |
> Important notes
Please note that registration is not final until your payment has been received.
Registration will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
The registration platform will be used for: registration, abstract submission, payment of fees, invoice and download of the certificates of attendance.
Students: To be eligible for the student fee, a certificate of enrollment in a degree-conferring course (can be a statement from the official supervisor) must be sent to cs-epiviral@ua.pt upon registration.
Social activity: The social activity consists of a visit to the Caves Burmester (20-25 minutes by foot along the river side) and it is planned for the 5th of June at 17h30. The option to attend the social activity must be selected upon registration (Fee option: Additional Item A) and is limited to the first 80 participants registered in the social activity.
Conference Dinner: The Conference Dinner will be on board of a cruise boat on the Douro River, and it is planned for the 6th of June at 19h30 (3 hours duration). The boat will depart from Vila Nova de Gaia pier (25-30 minutes by foot from the conference venue). The option to attend the Conference Dinner must be selected upon registration (Fee option: Additional Item B).
Payment: On the registration platform, you will find the different payment methods available for the Conference (credit card or bank transfer).
Please note that the participant is responsible for filling in the details for the invoice. Please confirm with your Entity if you need to enter the VAT number and/or purchase order number. Once you have filled in the invoice details, a proforma invoice will be available, if required. After payment, your receipt will be available on the platform.
Certificate of Attendance: One to two weeks after the the conference, your Certificate will be available for download on the registration platform.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made through the secretariat e-mail (cs-epiviral@ua.pt). For any cancellation received before the 4th of May 2024, registration fees will be reimbursed, minus 50 € for handling fees. Cancellations after this period will not be refunded as the organization will have already guaranteed the costs of materials and services.
Code of Conduct
Anti-harassment and non-discrimination policy.
This Conference shall maintain an environment free of harassment and discriminatory behavior for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, beliefs (religious or otherwise) or manner of articulation.
Harassment and discrimination of attendees in any form, either in person or online is not tolerated.
Attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and all communication and behavior should conform to a respectful environment for all.
Abstract Submission
Abstract submission deadline:
15th April 2024
25th April 2024
> Considerations about Abstract Submission
Abstract submissions must be done in “My Publications” tab in the registration platform.
Authors must submit their abstract in English. Abstract title is limited to 150 characters plus spaces and abstract text is limited to 150 words.
Authors will have to indicate in which topics of the conference they want to be evaluated:
- Host defence and Immunity
- Impact of RNA modifications in infection
- RNA based therapies against pathogens
- Non-coding RNAs in the context of host-pathogen interactions
- RNA-related high throughput methods applied to host-pathogen interactions studies
- Translation control and cellular stress in infection
Participants will be informed about Abstract Selection 5 to 7 days after the Abstract Submission Deadline.
For the abstract to be accepted the author must be registered on the registration platform.
During registration participants will be asked to indicate if they want to be considered only for oral presentation or poster presentations, or in the case of not being selected for oral presentation being considered for poster presentation.
Poster requirements: Portrait format and A0 size (~84 × 119 cm)
Oral presentation requirements: 12 min presentation
Awards will be granted to the best Poster and Oral presentation.
Organizing Commitee
Daniela Ribeiro
University of Aveiro,
Portugal
Ana Raquel Soares
University of Aveiro,
Portugal
Stefanie Kaiser
Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
Marjolein Kikkert
Leiden University Medical Center,
The Netherlands
Jonathan Yewdell
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, USA
Contact
Ana Rita Ferreira
University of Aveiro,
Portugal
Contact: cs-epiviral@ua.pt
Venue
The conference will be held at the Congress Centre Alfandega do Porto, located in the historic center of the city of Porto, by the Douro River. This historical building has been adapted to receive and serve as a multipurpose venue for different types of events, including scientific meetings.


Transportation
The venue can be reached by bus and tram, which stop in front of the building.
From the airport, participants can reach the venue by catching the metro and then the bus (~45min) or by taking a taxi or uber (~25min).
From the train station “São Bento”, participants can reach the venue by foot (~20min), by bus (~11min), by tram (~15min) or by ~taxi/uber (~7min).
For more information visit:
About Porto
Porto (also known as Oporto) is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centers, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The historic area is also a National Monument of Portugal.
Port wine, one of Portugal’s most famous exports, is named after Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of fortified wine. In 2014 and 2017, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency.

Supported by:
Sponsors

