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EMBO Workshop

D-Amino Acid Research (IDAR2026)

23 – 26 August 2026 | Nice, France

  • Registration Deadline (in person)
  • 15 May 2026
  • Registration deadline (virtual)
  • 30 June 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 May 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 15 June 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 31 May 2026

Apply now!

Use #EMBOidar2026

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About the Workshop

The study of molecular chirality in biology is undergoing a transformative shift. Traditionally, biological systems were thought to rely almost exclusively on L-amino acids; however, recent discoveries have revealed the presence and functional significance of D-amino acids across diverse organisms. These findings have uncovered roles for D-amino acids in fundamental physiological processes, including synaptic plasticity, immune modulation, microbiome interactions, and age-related protein modifications. Notably, the identification of protein-bound D-amino acids and their potential involvement in neurodegeneration and cancer represents a paradigm shift with profound implications for biomedical research.

As the only dedicated international forum on D-amino acid research, the International D-Amino Acid Research Conference (IDAR) provides a unique platform for the exchange of cutting-edge data, innovative methodologies, and emerging hypotheses. This EMBO Workshop will emphasize interdisciplinary integration, bringing together experts from structural biology, analytical chemistry, enzymology, neuroscience, immunology, and translational medicine. This collaborative approach is critical to addressing outstanding questions regarding the biosynthesis, function, and pathological consequences of D-amino acids.

In light of the rapid pace of discovery and the growing interest from the wider life sciences community, IDAR 2026 is both timely and essential. This EMBO Workshop will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, support the development of early-career researchers, and help shape the future trajectory of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.


About EMBO Courses and Workshops

EMBO Courses and Workshops are selected for their excellent scientific quality and timelines, provision of good networking activities for all participants and speaker gender diversity (at least 40% of speakers must be from the underrepresented gender).

Organisers are encouraged to implement measures to make the meeting environmentally more sustainable.

 
 

Programme

 

Registration

  • Registration Deadline (in person)
  • 15 May 2026
  • Registration deadline (virtual)
  • 30 June 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 May 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 15 June 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 31 May 2026

 

  • STUDENT/POSTDOCS EUR 300
  • ACADEMIC EUR 400
  • INDUSTRY EUR 1000

Registration includes:

  • Admission
  • Conference materials
  • Lunches and coffee breaks
  • Welcome reception
  • Social events (eg excursions, visits)

Excluding accommodation

Optional: Gala Dinner +50 euros (limited to 100 persons)

Registration information

Travel Grants and Presentation Prizes

A limited number of travel grants and presentation prizes will be available to support participation from underrepresented groups and recognize outstanding contributions from young scientists.

Applicants do not need to apply separately (eligible categories: PhD students, postdocs, or early independent PIs < 2 years), but should indicate on the registration form if they wish to be considered for an oral presentation or travel award.

Participants requesting support must submit a motivation letter (maximum 1 page) explaining: Their reasons for attending the meeting and how their presentation will contribute to the scientific merit of the meeting.

Payment

Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. Your place can only be confirmed after payment of the registration fee. If you are added to our waiting list, please consider taking advantage of our offerings to participate virtually.

A link will be available on the official EMBO - IDAR2026 website. Only card payments via this link are accepted.

Cancellation Policy

A 10% refund of the registration fee can be issued after cancellation.

Selection criteria

Participants will be selected based on the submission of scientific abstracts and a CV (maximum 1 page). Abstracts will be reviewed by the International Scientific Committee and evaluated according to their relevance to the workshop topic, scientific merit, and the significance of the findings.

Only participants registering to attend the on-site event are eligible to submit an abstract. Abstracts will not be accepted from virtual participants.

Abstract guidelines

Maximum length: 1 page, Arial 11 pt.

Content should be relevant to one of the thematic sessions of the meeting.

Title: The title should not exceed 20 words. Only the first word should be capitalized; all other words should be in lowercase.

Authors and Affiliations: Please provide the authors’ details as requested in the online form. The required fields are: First Name, Last Name, Organization (Affiliation or Company), Country, and Email.

Kindly indicate one First Author and underline the Presenter.

A downloadable template will be available on the official website.

Poster specifications

Portrait: 90 cm width × 120-150 cm height

Travel grants and registration fee waivers

Travel grants and registration fee waivers are available for participants.

Selection of awardees is handled directly by the organizers. EMBO travel grants and registration fee waivers are allocated on the basis of the quality of the submitted abstract.

Applicants do not need to apply separately for these but should indicate on the registration form if they wish to be considered.

Additional travel grants are available for EMBC Associate Member States Chile, India, Singapore and Taiwan.

Child care grants

EMBO Courses and Workshops offers grants to offset additional childcare costs incurred by participants or speakers when participating at any EMBO Courses and Workshop funded meeting. Eligible costs include fees for a caregiver or child-care facility, travel costs for a caregiver, or travel costs for taking the child to the meeting etc. Please indicate on the registration form whether you would like to be considered for the grant. Please also describe how you intend to use the childcare grant and specify the sum that you will need.

Accessibility grants

EMBO offers accessibility grants to support participants at EMBO Courses & Workshops with any access needs. These grants cover up to 500 Euros for any additional costs e.g. to adapt the conference environment, or to be accompanied by someone to assist them where necessary.

Participants with access needs may apply for a grant via the registration system of the related EMBO event, or by emailing the organizers of the related EMBO event directly.


Code of conduct

Anti-harassment and non-discrimination policy

At EMBO, we believe that harassment and discriminatory behaviour are unacceptable in any setting.

Media and communications policy

Recording or communication of the presented data needs to be agreed upon by all concerned.

EMBO's code of conduct is applicable for all participants of this EMBO meeting and can be found here.

 

Contact

Agnes Banreti

Jean-Pierre Mothet

Email: 7thidar2026@gmail.com​

 

 

Venue

Université Côte d'Azur Grand Château / Théâtre du Grand Château (Campus Valrose):

28 Avenue de Valrose

06103 Nice CEDEX 2

France

Accommodation

Numerous hotels are located within a short walking distance of the venue, typically just a few minutes away, ensuring easy and quick access. For those staying slightly farther:

Tram (fastest / easiest):

  • Take Tram line T1 to stop “Valrose Université”.

From that stop, the campus entrance / Grand Château is a ~5‑minute walk (~300–400 m).

Bus:

  • Bus lines 11 (stop “Vallot”) or 37 (stop “Valrose”) stop near Campus Valrose.

From the bus stop, you walk a few minutes to reach the Grand Château / campus entrance.

Transport

How to get to Nice, France

1. By Plane

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) is the main airport, about 7 km southwest of Nice city center. It offers direct international flights from major European cities, North America, and other destinations.

To city center:

Tram Line 2 from the airport → stops at “Jean Médecin” in ~30 min

Bus: Airport Express lines 98 & 99 → central Nice in ~20–30 min

Taxi / Ride-share: ~15–20 min

2. By Train

Nice Ville Railway Station is the main train hub.

Domestic connections: TGV trains from Paris (~5h40), Marseille (~2h40), Lyon (~4h30)

International connections: From Italy (Milan, Turin) and other neighboring countries

To Campus Valrose / Grand Château: Tram Line T1 or bus lines 11/37

3. By Bus / Coach

Long-distance buses connect Nice with other French and European cities. Companies include FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, and Eurolines. Buses generally stop at Gare Routière Nice Côte d’Azur (city center).

4. By Car

The A8 motorway (“La Provençale”) connects Nice with Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the Italian border. Paid parking is available in the city, though public transport is recommended.

5. From Nearby Locations

From Monaco: ~30 min by train, ~40 min by bus

From Cannes: ~30 min by train, ~45 min by bus

Sustainability at the meeting

The EMBO Courses & Workshops Programme assesses meetings based on the proposal and implementation of sustainability measures. Meetings can earn points across a range of measures, with each measure assigned a point value from one to five. These points classify the meeting into one of three sustainability levels, reflecting the organizers' commitment to enhancing the sustainability of their event. More information on the EMBO Courses & Workshops Sustainability Badge can be found here.

We will offer a 50 Eur discount on registration fees for participants traveling by train, or otherwise incentivize train travel with rewards.

Some invited speakers from other continents are asked to give their talks remotely.

Catering will include locally sourced ingredients, and bottled water, single-use plastics will be avoided, and reusable or compostable tableware will be prioritized. We will use our own coffee machines to reduce packaging waste and recycle coffee grounds and food waste through our local composting system. In addition, any unserved leftover food will be donated to people in need via local organizations, in accordance with French regulations that encourage food redistribution while respecting hygiene and safety standards.

Abstract books and programs will be shared in electronic form only.

Sustainability will also be highlighted during the event to raise awareness and encourage responsible behavior among participants.

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