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EMBO Workshop

RNA metabolism: perspective from physiology to brain disorder

25 – 28 October 2026 | Darjeeling, India

  • Registration Deadline
  • 15 May 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 May 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 31 May 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 15 July 2026

Apply now!

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About the Workshop

RNA metabolism in the brain is an emerging field, and recent discoveries in this nascent area are poised to be game-changers for our understanding of cognitive function at both molecular and systems levels. Neuronal activity influences diverse RNA-related processes in a cell-type- and synapse-specific manner in both the developing and adult brain. The importance of these processes is underscored by recent studies demonstrating that the metabolism of coding RNAs, microRNAs, long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), tRNAs, and circular RNAs (circRNAs) is essential for the development, function, and homeostasis of neurons as well as non-neuronal cells. Consequently, dysregulation of RNA metabolism can lead to devastating brain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and neurodegeneration. This EMBO Workshop will bring together early-career researchers and leading experts to discuss the latest advances in RNA metabolism underlying neuronal physiology and brain disorders. This EMBO Workshop will feature a dedicated session on RNA-based therapeutic approaches, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in developing RNA therapies to reverse cognitive deficits.

This EMBO Workshop will provide a unique platform for scientific exchange in the serene setting of the Himalayan town of Darjeeling, fostering professional development and networking, particularly for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Selected abstracts will be invited for short talks and lightening talks, presented either on site or via a virtual platform. To encourage broad participation, this EMBO Workshop will offer registration fee waivers, as well as travel and childcare support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Image credits: Kamakshi Garg and Sarbani Samaddar


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 May 2026
  • Abstract Submission Deadline
  • 15 May 2026
  • Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By
  • 31 May 2026
  • Payment Deadline
  • 15 July 2026

 

  • STUDENT/POSTDOCS (in person) EUR 300 / INR 25000
  • ACADEMIC (in person) EUR 450 / INR 35000
  • INDUSTRY (in person) EUR 900 / INR 75000
  • STUDENT/POSTDOCS (virtual) EUR 50 / INR 5000
  • ACADEMIC (virtual) EUR 100 / INR 10000
  • INDUSTRY (virtual) EUR 200 / INR 20000

Registration includes:

  • breakfast, lunch and dinner during meeting days
  • accommodation for 5 nights
  • coffee breaks during meeting days

Registration information

A motivational letter with justification for registration fee waiver or travel support or childcare grant is required.

Payment

Payment link will be provided to selected participants by 31st May 2026.

Cancellation policy

The registration fee, after deduction of bank charges, will be refunded if the registration is cancelled by 7th July 2026.

Selection criteria

Abstract submission is mandatory for participation in the workshop. Participants will be selected based on the quality of the abstract submitted. Top quality 20 abstracts will be selected for short talks. Another set of 10 abstracts demonstrating a clear concept and at the maturation stage will be selected for lightening talks. Abstracts will be evaluated by organizers of the workshop.

Abstract guidelines

Title: The title should not exceed 20 words. Only the first word of the title should start with a capital letter and the rest of the title should be in lowercase.

Authors and Affiliations: Please fill in the author’s details as requested in the online form. The compulsory details are: First Name, Last Name, Organisation Name (Affiliation or Company), Country, and Email. Mark only one author as the role of First author and please don’t forget to indicate who will be presenting. The order of the authors will be listed as follows: First Author, Co-First Author (alphabetically if multiple), co-author(s) (in the order added by the submitter).

Word limit: 250 words, not including authors and affiliations

Poster specifications

The maximum dimensions are 91 cm (width) x 122 cm (height), or approximately 36 inches x 48 inches.

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

Sourav Banerjee

Email: emborna2026@gmail.com

 

 

Venue

MAYFAIR Hill Resort

The Mall Opp. Governor House

Darjeeling 734101

West Bengal, INDIA

Accommodation

Accommodation for registered participants will be provided on a twin-sharing basis. Participants will be housed at Summit Oakden Resort or R.J. Resort, both located within 1 km of the meeting venue, Mayfair Hill Resort. Breakfast will be served at the hotel, while lunch and dinner will be provided at the meeting venue.

Transport

Flight:

The nearest airport to the meeting venue is Bagdogra Airport (code: IXB). All major Indian airlines operate regular flights to Bagdogra from major domestic hubs, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Pre-paid taxi services are available from Bagdogra Airport to Mayfair Hill Resort, Darjeeling. The distance between Bagdogra Airport and Darjeeling is approximately 70 km, and the travel time is around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Train:

The nearest railway station to the meeting venue is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). New Jalpaiguri is well connected to major cities across India by Indian Railways. Semi high-speed trains, such as Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi Express, operate from Howrah Junction (a major railway station in Kolkata) and take approximately 8 hours to reach New Jalpaiguri. The distance from New Jalpaiguri railway station to Darjeeling is about 74 km, with an approximate travel time of 2.5 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.

About the Area

Places to visit:

UNESCO World Heritage “Toy Train” ride by Darjeeling Himalayan Railways. The “Joy Ride” starts from Batasia loop and ends at Ghoom station. Total duration 2 hours including Ghoom Musuem visit.

Timings: 8 AM, 10.40 AM, 1.20 PM & 4.05 PM

Tiger Hill

Stunning viewing point of the Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest and other eastern Himalayan peaks.Timings: Sunrise at 4:55 a.m. Tours available from the hotel.

Happy Valley Tea Estate. Located next to Mayfair Hill Resort.

Ghoom Monastry

The largest monastery in the region, it belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhism. Inside, it houses a 15-ft-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Coming Buddha), along with thangkas, sculptures, palm-leaf and paper manuscripts, and the Buddhist Tibetan Gospel.

30 minute drive from the hotel.

Timings: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jaldapara National Park house Asiatic One Horned Rhinos.

Kaziranga National Park. A UNESCO world Heritage site housing One Horned Rhinos, Tigers, Elephants. The park is located along Brahmaputra River in the state Assam. Nearest airport to reach the park is Guwahati. You need to book cab from Guwahati to Kaziranga. Do not miss elephant safari!

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 workshop will host virtual presentation from the participants located in different continents. Catering service will include option for high quality vegetarian meals all days, meals will be cooked using locally sourced ingredients and will avoid bottled water. Electronic copy of abstract book and meeting schedule will be circulated. Carpool will be arranged from airport / railway stations to the venue. Participants will be encouraged to travel by train.

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