From 13 to 19 May 2026, the eighth edition of the joint FEBS/EMBO Lecture Course “Ion Channels and Transporters: From Atoms to Cellular Context” was held in Erice, Sicily. Hosted by the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, the event brought together researchers working on ion channels, membrane transporters, and the physiology and biophysics of biological membranes.
Bogusz Kulawiak was among the invited lecturers and delivered a lecture on mitochondrial potassium channels. His presentation focused on the structure, regulation and role of these proteins in mitochondrial and cellular function.
Our laboratory was also represented by Natalia Roszkowska, a PhD student who participated in the course and presented a scientific poster.
The course programme covered current topics related to the structure, function, and regulation of ion channels and transporters. The lectures presented both experimental findings and research approaches based on structural biology, electrophysiology, computational modelling, and molecular dynamics. Participants also attended practical sessions, workshops on artificial intelligence and data analysis, flash talks, poster sessions, and discussions with invited speakers.
The course in Erice provided an excellent opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience between internationally recognised scientists and early-career researchers. Its interactive format encouraged direct scientific discussions, the development of new collaborations, and the presentation of emerging research concepts in the fields of ion-channel biology and membrane transport.