Invitation and call for applications

Dear fellow scientist, 

We are delighted to invite you to the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences', hosted in the heart of Finnish Lakeland, in Kuopio, Finland, June 2026.

This immersive five-day course will explore retina as a powerful ex vivo model system not only for ophthalmology but also for neuroscience, pharmacology, and translational research. Participants will gain experience with organotypic retinal cultures as well as acute experiments in living retinas (ex vivo), and learn how to apply them in disease modeling, drug testing, and gene therapy, as well as neuroscience research.

A unique learning experience

The retina’s accessibility, layered structure, and neurodevelopmental origin make it an ideal model for studying central nervous system function and pathology. Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and video demonstrations, attendees will gain know-how on techniques such as retinal dissection, culture maintenance, imaging, and electrophysiological recordings.

The course also includes sessions on publishing, grant writing, and career development, and even recognizing bad science from good one(!), with opportunities to receive feedback on abstracts, figures, and proposals. Evening social events will foster collaboration and community among researchers from across Europe and beyond.

Who should attend?

This course is designed for PhD students, postdocs, and early-career researchers working in visual neuroscience, ophthalmology, neuroscience, pharmacology/toxicology, and related fields. Abstract submission is required for participation, and selected attendees may be eligible for FEBS Youth Travel Fund (YTF) Grants.

Venue and atmosphere

Nestled in the heart of Finnish Lakeland, Kuopio offers a tranquil and inspiring setting surrounded by shimmering lakes and lush forests. The course will take place at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio Campus, with lectures held in the modern Mediteknia auditorium. Participants will be accommodated at Scandic Hotel Kuopio, located less than a kilometer from the city’s central square and beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Kallavesi. The hotel is approximately 3 km from the campus and easily accessible via regular public transport. Combining the natural charm of the region with warm hospitality, Scandic Kuopio provides a comfortable and scenic base for the course.

📅 Application by March 31, 2026

📅 Poster deadline April 30, 2026

On behalf of the organizing committee,
Henri Leinonen (main organizer)

Sponsors

Join us as a sponsor of the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course ‘Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences’, taking place in Kuopio, Finland, 8–12 June 2026. This unique course brings together leading experts and early-career researchers in ophthalmology, pharmacology/toxicology, visual neuroscience, and translational research. Partnering with us offers your company excellent visibility and the opportunity to support cutting-edge science.

For details about sponsorship options, please contact us at info@retinaexvivo2026.febsevents.org.

Sponsors will gain visibility not only during the event, but also on the course website (below) and in the promotional poster (see right).