2026 EMBO Workshop on Autophagy: foundations, functions and physiology
Date: September 6th – 11th, 2026
Place: Grenå (Denmark)
Autophagy plays a central role in maintaining cellular quality control and homeostasis by degrading dysfunctional or excess structures and organelles. It also regulates various cellular and organismal functions, including metabolism, immunity, and cell differentiation. While the mechanism by which autophagy-related (ATG) proteins mediate the formation of autophagosomes has been delineated, the molecular interactions between different functional groups of ATG proteins, lipids, and other intracellular compartments remain poorly elucidated. Additionally, although autophagy has traditionally been considered a bulk process, a series of groundbreaking discoveries has revealed that, in most cases, it operates in a highly selective manner to eliminate unwanted structures. This has led to the identification of selective autophagy receptors (SARs) and provided insights into how they interact with and coordinate the ATG machinery. While much remains to be uncovered, this knowledge now allows for the precise modulation and monitoring of different types of selective autophagy. Researchers can now investigate how each form is regulated and how it contributes to the homeostasis and function of specific tissues and organisms, as well as their adaptability to environmental and developmental cues. This EMBO Workshop will explore the latest advances in the mechanism of autophagy, with a particular emphasis on its selective forms.
Registration deadline: June 15th 2026
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EMBO Workshop - Neuronal autophagy: from circuit function to therapy
Date: May 17th – 21st, 2026
Place: Sant Feliu de Guixols (Spain)
Autophagy, the process that degrades and recycles damaged proteins and organelles, has emerged as a master regulator of neuronal function and brain health. Beyond its classical role in cellular waste clearance, autophagy governs synaptic proteostasis, neurotransmission, and circuit remodeling. Its dysfunction contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegeneration, and aging-related decline.
This EMBO Workshop “Neuronal Autophagy: from circuit function to therapy” brings together global leaders and early-career scientists to explore how autophagy integrates with neuronal signaling, metabolism, and disease mechanisms. This EMBO Workshop will cover topics ranging from molecular and cellular mechanisms of autophagy to translational and therapeutic approaches in brain disorders. Sessions include autophagy in neuronal proteostasis, mitochondrial quality control, synaptic remodeling, and neurodegeneration, complemented by keynote lectures, trainee talks, and career development events.
Building on the success of the 2022 EMBO Workshop on “Brain Autophagy in Health and Disease,” this 2026 edition will serve as a catalyst for advancing a rapidly growing field at the intersection of neuroscience and cell biology.
Registration deadline: February 15th 2026
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Gordon Research Conference 2026 - Understanding and Harnessing Autophagy in Health and Disease
Date: March 15th – 20th, 2026
Place: Ventura, California (United States)
The Autophagy in Stress, Development and Disease GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
Autophagy is a vital cellular process with key roles in maintaining health and contributing to diseases such as cancer, infection, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and aging. Recent advances have deepened our molecular understanding of autophagy, including cargo-selective mechanisms and the broader functions of autophagy proteins in lysosomal biology. As the field evolves, there is growing potential to explore how autophagy influences diverse disease states and to develop therapies that harness or inhibit this pathway. The 2026 Autophagy GRC will serve as a critical forum for uniting researchers studying core autophagy mechanisms with experts in cancer, aging, neurodegeneration, infectious disease, and development. This meeting will highlight emerging discoveries and foster collaboration across disciplines. We expect that insights shared at the conference will drive the development of new therapeutic approaches targeting autophagy-related diseases.
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2026 Keystone Symposium - Autophagy: Mechanisms to Therapy
Date: February 2nd – 5th, 2026
Place: Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO, United States
Autophagy dysregulation has been linked to a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, and infections. However, further research is needed to fully understand the precise roles and mechanisms of autophagy in different disease contexts and its therapeutic potential. This meeting aims to address gaps in knowledge regarding the regulation, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of selective autophagy in disease contexts. A further understanding of selective autophagy is critical for developing targeted therapeutic interventions and understanding disease mechanisms, as selective autophagy allows cells to specifically target and remove damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and intracellular pathogens. This meeting will showcase ongoing basic research advances in the field, but also focus on translational research and industry developments in the area, which is unique among conferences around this topic. Additionally, this meeting will be held jointly with, “Membrane Dynamics, Repair and Disease,” which will provide excellent opportunities for engaging joint sessions of shared interest. One workshop will highlight tools and strategies to study and target autophagy, and may also include lessons learned from clinical trials.
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