The fifth EMBO COB Workshop on Membrane Shaping and Remodeling by Proteins was held from Nov 9 to 12, in Kunming, Yunnan province. 

Hosted by the Academic Subgroup of Subcellular Structures and Functions of the Biophysical Society of China, the workshop brought together experts and scholars from around the world to discuss the vital physiological significance of eukaryotic cell membranes’ morphology and dynamic reassembly for normal physical functions.

Hu Junjie, one of the organizers of the workshop and researcher at the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivers an opening address. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

Participants of the workshop pose for a group photo. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The workshop focused on the eight topics of organelle shaping, organelle remodeling, membrane remodeling and viral infection, membrane dynamics and lipid homeostasis, membrane dynamics and autophagy, organelle interactions, membrane dynamics and coated vesicles, and biological membrane integrity. 

Attracting over 200 students and scholars from 24 countries and regions, the event featured keynote speeches delivered by 26 internationally renowned scholars and 18 distinctive thematic reports. 

Two poster presentations were organized, with more than 60 posters presented for discussion, and 11 selected for flash talks. 

The workshop also included a lunchtime exchange session for participants to meet with speakers and editors, which fostered fruitful discussions. 

Yang Chonglin, a professor from Yunnan University and one of the organizers of the workshop, delivers an academic report. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The reports delivered at the workshop covered such topics as the mechanisms of membrane-shaping proteins in important organelles, mechanistic insights into the origin and expansion of biological membranes during autophagy, in vitro studies on extracorporeal membrane fusion and division, accurate identification of membrane damage, and computer simulation of membrane insertion. 

Misha Kozlov, a professor from Tel Aviv University and one of the organizers of the workshop, engages in a discussion session. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The workshop series has gained widespread recognition in academic circles, earning itself a place on the annual list of key academic conferences by the China Association for Science and Technology.

Martina Rembold (L), senior scientific editor of EMBO reports, presents Tomoya Eguchi with a certificate for the best poster award. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]