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EMBO Workshop

RNA-guided genome protection

16 – 20 June 2026 | Caux, Switzerland

  • Registration Deadline
  • 15 March 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 March 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 25 April 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 15 March 2026

Apply now!

Use #EMBORNAGenomeProtection

Download calendar invitation

About the Workshop

The genome carries information across generations, ensuring species survival. To preserve faithful transmission of genetic information, RNA-directed mechanisms safeguard the genome integrity in diverse life forms, from bacteria to mammals. Studies in conventional model organisms and cultured cells have shed light on such mechanisms, but recent discoveries revealed unexpected details of RNA-mediated mechanisms functioning in prokaryotes and non-model organisms. Furthermore, advances in molecular machine structures, spatial gene regulation, and reproductive biology offer crucial insights into RNA-directed genome defense. This EMBO Workshop will connect researchers in transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, small RNAs, transposons, structural biology, and spatial gene organization to broaden technical expertise and perspectives in the field of RNA-guided genome protection. This EMBO Workshop also aims to strengthen the connection between mechanisms and developmental processes by linking biochemical and biophysical properties of RNA-guided machinery to stem cell maintenance, germ cell development, and reproduction. Lastly, dedicated sessions will explore the history and evolution of RNA-guided mechanisms, from prokaryotic defense to genetic conflict and adaptation.

Image credits: Josien van Wolfswinkel


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
  • 15 March 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 March 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 25 April 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 15 March 2026

 

  • STUDENT/POSTDOCS EUR 350
  • ACADEMIC EUR 600
  • INDUSTRY EUR 1000

Registration includes:

  • Access to scientific sessions
  • Breakfast (June 17–20)
  • Lunch (June 17–19)
  • Dinner (June 16–18)
  • Gala dinner (June 19)
  • Snacks and coffee breaks
  • Accommodation, excursion, and unlimited alcoholic beverages at dinner not included.

No additional fees will be charged beyond registration and accommodation.

Payment

  • Payments are accepted by credit card or direct bank transfer via a separate webpage (details will be provided). Registration is confirmed upon full payment.
  • Travel grant applicants: Please register and make payments according to the standard procedure. Awardees will be notified and reimbursed with proof of attendance after the meeting.
  • Receipts will be generated using the registration details provided by the participants. The organizers are not responsible for errors originating from your data submission, and a CHF 25 fee will be charged for re-issuing invoices in this case.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation on or before May 15 2026: Full refund minus a EUR 150 administrative fee.
  • Cancellation after May 15 2026: No refund.

Selection criteria

The workshop is open to all academic, clinical, and industry participants. Registration is first-come, first-served. We will contact participants only if the workshop reaches the full capacity and registration is closed.

Abstract guidelines

  • Maximum 250 words in English including space, excluding authors and affiliations.
  • Indicate the presentation title, authors, and the affiliations.
  • Indicate the presenting author.

Poster specifications

Posters should not exceed the A0 size (119 cm high × 84 cm wide). Include the following sections:

  • Presentation title
  • Authors; indicate the presenting author
  • Affiliations
  • Abstract
  • Background/introduction
  • Methods and results
  • Conclusions/summary
  • References

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 [(for events using our registration system)].

[To apply, please send an email directly to the meeting organisers justifying your request (for events not using our registration system).]

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

RNA-guided genome protection organizers

Email: rnaprotection@googlegroups.com

 

 

Venue

Image credits: Caux Palace


The Caux Palace

Rue du Panorama 2, 1824 Caux, Switzerland

Accommodation

  • Booking: Book your accommodation at the separate webpage (details to be announced).
  • Room Types: Single and shared double rooms are available, both with views of the Lake Geneva and mountains. To accommodate all participants, students and postdocs are strongly encouraged to share a double room with separate beds and a shared bathroom.
  • Cost: To be announced. The fee covers the duration of the entire meeting (4 nights: June 16–20), including a city tax of 5 CHF (~5 EUR)/day. The city tax grants Riviera Card benefits, such as free train travel to/from Montreux, which will be sent to the participants electronically in advance.
  • It is not possible to extend the stay beyond June 16–20 due to other scheduled events at the venue. To find accommodation for additional nights, search on www.booking.com or www.airbnb.com for Montreux as early as possible.

Transport

The Caux train station sits 30 m from the venue. Public transport is highly recommended in Switzerland, as it is typically reliable and convenient. We recommend checking www.sbb.ch and download the SBB app on your phone in advance for the schedules and connections. Have your Rivera card (see Accommodation Details) ready to show the train conductors if they come around.

  • From Geneva Airport (~1.5 h): Frequent trains run between Geneva Airport and Montreux. Change in Montreux for the regional train that runs every hour to reach Caux.
  • From Zürich Airport (~3.5 h): Frequent trains run between the Zürich Airport and Montreux. Change in Montreux as described above.
  • By car: Free parking is available but limited at the venue.

About the Area

The Caux Palace sits 400 m above the city of Montreux on the Swiss Riviera, offering both proximity to town and a secluded setting ideal for focused interaction. The climate can turn chilly even in June on cloudy or rainy days at 1,050 m above sea level, so please prepare accordingly. Caux has no shops or restaurants—we recommend a 30 min train ride down the mountain to Montreux for this.

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.

The venue takes carbon footprint-reducing measures such as:

  • Internal wood-chip heating system to reduce our overall carbon footprint.
  • 11 private water sources – eliminating the need for plastic water bottles.
  • Use of low-impact environmental lighting (LED).
  • An in-house kitchen team that prioritizes sourcing locally whenever possible.
  • A creative approach to cooking – minimizing food waste and making smart purchasing decisions.
  • Food waste is repurposed to create biogas.
  • Very limited use of plastic cups and cutlery.
  • Use of recyclable bags for takeaway meals.
  • Smart waste recycling with dedicated bins for waste sorting.
  • Employees are encouraged to use public transport and carpool whenever possible.
  • Vegetarian meal options are available.

Abstract books and programs will be shared only electronically.

No plastic badge holder will be used.

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