Welcome

Dear colleagues,

In 2006, the Trends in Enzymology series was launched in Como, Italy with the aim of bringing together scientists from Europe and overseas to discuss and share their most recent work with nature’s chemical catalysts. Over the meetings that followed (St. Malo, France in 2008; Ascona, Switzerland in 2010; Göttingen, Germany in 2012; Manchester, UK in 2014) it became clear that, as the study of enzymes benefited from multidisciplinary approaches and advanced techniques, so did the use of enzymes in a broad array of industrial settings (food, pharma and bioprocesses). Indeed, a recent analysis predicted that the contribution of enzymes to the global bioeconomy would exceed € 8 billion by 2021.

This rosy outlook suggests that, over the next several years, there will be an increasing need for enzymologists in both the academic and industrial sectors. Accordingly, it is an appropriate time for the series, now Trends in Enzymology and Biocatalysis, to provide an advanced course which highlights the link between a fundamental understanding of the properties of enzymes and their “real-life” applications.

By providing a forum to enhance the participation of junior scientists in a stimulating, yet relaxed and informal atmosphere, similar to that of the US-based Gordon Research Conferences, this Advanced Course will offer participants a chance to enhance their knowledge and develop new scientific and personal relationships.

An outstanding panel of international speakers will provide course participants, ideally graduate students and early-stage researchers, with updates on a cross-section of approaches to the study of enzymes and the development of novel biocatalysts. The live-in course will foster interactions with the individual speakers, as will the daily workshops/discussions, the afternoon poster sessions, and the social evenings.

We look forward to seeing you in Rome, in May. Remember, we can offer only 80 places! Book yours soon!

The Advanced Course International Organisers,