Satellite Meetings
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Pre-Conference Satellite Event
The 4th ICTP-SAIFR and 13th POSLATAM Symposium on Current Topics in Molecular Biophysics aims to gather international experts and young researchers in the field to discuss recent advancements and challenges. Molecular Biophysics encompasses a wide range of topics, from structural biology to computational methods, offering insights into fundamental biological processes. This workshop serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among researchers from diverse backgrounds to discuss a range of topics, including, but not limited to, chemical kinetics, protein/RNA dynamics, dynamics of assemblies, and chromatin.
The workshop will span three days, featuring presentations by speakers and interactive sessions. In addition to the invited talks, there will be talks selected from abstracts, and there will be a poster session. As with the previous CTMB meetings, we aim to foster an informal atmosphere where participants of all levels are able to exchange and develop ideas together.By fostering an interdisciplinary perspective, the symposium aligns with current efforts to integrate physical sciences approaches into biological research and graduate education, and limited funding will be available for student participation.
Organizers: Antonio Costa Filho (FFCLRP – USP, Brazil)Paul Whitford (Northeastern University, USA)Rosangela Itri (IF – USP, Brazil)Vitor Leite (IBILCE – UNESP, Brazil)Luis Gonzalez Flecha (IQUIFIB – UBA, Argentina)Daniel Peluffo (CENUR LN – Udelar, Uruguay)
Pre-Symposium Course
Advanced Techniques Course for Characterization of Nanomaterials and Biomolecules I – DLS and NTA
Chair: Beatriz Patricio
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Laboratório de Inovação Farmacêutica e Tecnológica – Instituto Biomédico, UNIRIO
Rua Frei Caneca, 94, Room 508, Building A
Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Course Overview
This course will introduce the applications of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) for the characterization of nanomaterials and biomolecules. Participants will gain practical insights into the use of these techniques for particle size determination, stability analysis, particle concentration measurement, and the investigation of molecular interactions.
Capacity: 30 participants.
Advanced Techniques Course II – Characterization of Biomolecular Interactions by ITC
Chair: Yraima Cordeiro
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: Laboratório de Biologia Molecular Estrutural – UFRJ
Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 \ CCS Building, Block B, Basement, Room 26
Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Course Overview
This course will introduce the principles and applications of Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), one of the leading techniques for the direct and quantitative characterization of biomolecular interactions. Participants will learn how ITC can be applied to protein–protein interactions, protein–ligand interactions, and the determination of binding affinity and thermodynamic parameters.
Capacity: 15 participants.
Studying Genome Architecture with Minimal Polymer Models
Chair: Ronaldo Oliveira (UFTM)
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Riale Brisa Barra Hotel – Saveiro Room \ Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Workshop Overview
How does the three-dimensional organization of the genome influence cellular function? This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the computational modeling of chromatin architecture using the Minimal Chromatin Model (MiChroM). Integrating concepts from Physics, Polymer Chemistry, and Data Science, participants will learn how experimental observations of genome organization can be translated into quantitative computational simulations using OpenMiChroM, a Python-based software package for chromosome modeling.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops for the practical activities.
Capacity: 10 participants.
Best Practices in Protein Structural Modeling with Deep-Learning Methods
Chair: Italo Cavini
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Language: Portuguese
Venue: Riale Brisa Barra Hotel – Veleiro II Room \ Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Workshop Overview
This workshop is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge and a critical understanding of the appropriate use of deep-learning methods for the structural modeling of proteins and protein complexes. The workshop will cover best practices for applying modern deep-learning approaches, interpreting structural predictions, recognizing their limitations, and evaluating model reliability in biological research.
Duration: 2 hours
Capacity: Unlimited participants.
Computational Biophysics in the Age of AI: FAIR Principles, Reproducibility, and Data Interoperability
Coordinators: Manuela Leal da Silva, Rafael Bernardi, and J. C. Gumbart
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Language: English
Venue: Riale Brisa Barra Hotel – Veleiro I Room
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Overview
The pre-symposium will discuss the implementation of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and their importance for scientific reproducibility, data interoperability, and open science practices.
In addition, the symposium will address the contributions of standardized datasets that adhere to FAIR principles to the development, training, validation, and benchmarking of artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based methods applied to the life sciences.
The complete program and invited speakers will be announced soon.
Cellular Electrophysiology: Mechanisms, Modulation, and Disease
Chair: Jader S. Cruz (UFMG)
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Riale Brisa Barra Hotel – Veleiro I Room \ Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Overview
This pre-symposium will explore recent advances in cellular electrophysiology, highlighting the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological processes. Topics include cardiovascular and neuronal electrophysiology, environmental toxicology, diabetic neuropathy, ion channel function, and therapeutic perspectives.
Confirmed Speakers
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Artur Santos Miranda (UFMG) – The Invisible Damage of a Well-Known Problem: Cardiotoxicity of Environmental Contaminants
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Fabiana da Silva Alcântara (UNIFESP) – Unexpected Maternal–Fetal Toxicity of Fluconazole: Exploring Electrocardiotoxicity
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Ricardo Leão (FMRP-USP) – Maturation of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission at Auditory Synapses After the Onset of Hearing
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Kerly Shamyra da Silva Alves (UECE) – Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy: Electrophysiological Alterations and Treatment with Natural Products
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Luís Gustavo Alexandre Patrone (UFMG) – Participation of BK Channels in Ventilatory Control: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Panic
Pre-Symposium Workshop
Bacterial Injection Systems: Structural and Functional Insights
Chairs: Leticia M. S. Lery (IOC–Fiocruz) and Paulo Bisch (IBCCF-UFRJ)
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Riale Brisa Barra Hotel – Veleiro II Room \ Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Workshop Overview
This workshop will explore recent advances in the structural and functional characterization of bacterial injection systems, highlighting cutting-edge approaches in structural biology, cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), molecular simulations, and host–pathogen interactions. Participants will gain insights into the structure, function, and biological significance of bacterial secretion systems and related molecular machines.
Preliminary Program
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2:00 – 2:25 PM – Cryo-EM Strategies for Structural Studies of Bacterial Secretion Systems and the Case of VgrG4 from the Type VI Secretion System of Klebsiella pneumoniae — Marcel Cunha (UFRJ)
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2:25 – 2:50 PM – Deciphering Bacteriocin Contraction Mechanisms via Cryo-EM-Guided Molecular Simulations — Paulo Ricardo Batista (USP)
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2:50 – 3:15 PM – Structural Organization of Lytic Bacteriophages — Germán Sgro (Fiocruz)
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3:15 – 3:40 PM – Structure and Regulation of a Bactericidal Type IV Secretion System — Shaker Chuck Farah (USP)
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3:40 – 4:05 PM – Structural Insights and Antivirulence Strategies Targeting the Type VI Secretion System of Klebsiella pneumoniae — Gisele Cardoso Amorim (UFRJ)
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4:05 – 4:30 PM – Advances in Understanding the Role of the Type VI Secretion System of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Host Interaction — Leticia M. S. Lery (IOC–Fiocruz)
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4:30 – 4:55 PM – Virulence at the Tip of the Needle: The Injectisome in Bacterial Pathogenesis — Alessandra Saliba (UERJ)
The final program is subject to change.