News and Events

Stay up to date with the latest research breakthroughs, seminars, and community activities at the Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance.

Centre News

07Jul
2026 · Conference recap

PhD student conference

Brunel Biosciences doctoral researchers shared talks and posters at the July conference, with prizes for student presentations.

Read the recap and see the conference photograph →

02Jul
2026 · Seminar series

Goodbye to the 25/26 Seminar Series

The joint CenGEM, CIRTM and AMIC seminar series brought together researchers from Brunel, across the UK and overseas. With thanks to the Brunel Seminar Series Award.

Read the seminar-series review →

Upcoming Events

05 Nov
2026 Conference

11th UK Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation Meeting

A two-day meeting for the nuclear periphery community covering nuclear envelope protein networks, chromatin organisation, nuclear pore biology and transport, mechanobiology and nuclear envelope-linked disease. Talks will be selected from submitted abstracts, with additional poster and flash-talk opportunities.
Date: 5th-6th November 2026
Location: Brunel University of London
Abstract deadline: 2nd October 2026
Organising committee: Ines Castro, Joseph Hetmanski, Joanna Bridger, Paola Vagnarelli, Eric Schirmer and Qiuping Zhang
Registration: Free for students and technicians; reduced fees for postdoctoral researchers and principal investigators.

Meeting Details and Registration →

Past Events

16 Jul
2026 Meeting

New Horizons in Polycystic Kidney Disease

A one-day industry-academia meeting exploring new directions in polycystic kidney disease, from genes, cilia and advanced models to biomarkers, clinical trials and therapeutic development.
Date: 16th July 2026, 10:00-17:25
Location: Newton Room, Hamilton Centre, Brunel University London
Organiser: Dr Barbara Tanos
Programme highlights: Research sessions, keynote address, poster session, networking and round-table discussion.

Event Details → Programme PDF →

09 Jul
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Prof Alexandra Fernandes, NOVA FCT, Portugal
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Title: Going towards Precision Biomedicine: From Diagnostics to Treatment Strategies
Date: 9th July 2026, 12:00
Location: HNZ017
Abstract: An exploration of how molecular diagnostics, genomics, biomarkers and nanotechnology can support earlier disease detection, patient stratification and targeted treatment, particularly in cancer.

07 Jul
2026 Conference

Brunel Bioscience PhD Conference 2026

The PGR community, from first to final year, presented talks and posters at the Biosciences PhD conference. Congratulations to the prize winners, and thanks to BioRad, Calibre Scientific and STEMCELL for sponsoring.

Event Details → Programme PDF →

02 Jul
2026 Online Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Carmelo Ferrai, University Medical Center Gottingen
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Title: The Interaction with Nanotopographical Environment Regulates Nuclear Mechanoresponse in mESCs via Histone Demethylase KDM3A
Date: 2nd July 2026, 12:00
Format: Online via Microsoft Teams
Abstract: How extracellular-matrix nanotopography can reshape nuclear mechanics and epigenetic state in mouse embryonic stem cells, with KDM3A acting as a nanotopography-sensitive mechanotransducer.

25 Jun
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Archava Madhav, Wellcome Sanger Institute and icddr,b
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Sam Willcocks (AMIC)
Title: Getting sh*t done: my journey into gut microbiome research
Date: 25th June 2026, 12:00
Location: HNZ017
Abstract: Genomic surveillance and microbiome research in coastal Bangladesh, examining how climate-driven salinity, flooding and pathogen exposure shape enteric disease and wider health risks.

18 Jun
2026 Symposium

Rare Diseases Network Event

CenGEM hosted a one-day symposium bringing together researchers, clinicians, and funding organisations to accelerate discovery in rare disease biology and translational medicine. Sponsored by the Biochemical Society, the programme explored disease mechanisms, genetic models, therapeutic development, funding pathways and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Date: 18th June 2026, 9:00-17:00
Location: Michael Sterling Building, MCST 054, Brunel University London
Organiser: Dr Sara Anjomani Virmouni

View Schedule → View Poster →

11 Jun
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Prof Asif Iqbal, University of Birmingham
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Sayi-Yazgan (CIRTM)
Title: The Early IBD Immune Atlas: Chemokines, Galectins, and the Multi-Omics Landscape
Date: 11th June 2026, 12:00
Location: HNZ017
Abstract: Prof Iqbal will present work from the Early IBD Immune Atlas, showing how multi-omics approaches, including single-cell transcriptomics and spectral flow, reveal immune regulation in early inflammatory bowel disease and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

04 Jun
2026 Outreach

Brunel Research Showcase: Visit to CenGEM

As part of the Brunel Research Showcase, CenGEM welcomed visitors for a guided tour of the Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, highlighting research on genome stability, disease mechanisms, and advanced biomedical discovery within Brunel’s wider university-wide programme of talks, exhibits, posters, and laboratory visits.
Date: 4th June 2026

View Programme →
21 May
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Richard Stabler, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Sam Willcocks (AMIC)
Title: Commensal Neisseria and the AMR Challenge
Date: 21st May 2026, 12:00
Location: HNZ017
Abstract: Dr Stabler will discuss the role of non-pathogenic commensal Neisseria in antimicrobial resistance, including how microarrays and whole genome sequencing have been used to identify pathogen-specific genotypes and the transfer of antibiotic resistance.

14 May
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Dana Lorber
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Title: Chromatin and the nuclear envelope: Live imaging insights into chromatin organisation
Date: 14th May 2026

07 May
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Format: Pazoki Lab presentations, internal lab session
Speakers: Lauren Salisbury; Chucks Hezekiah
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Titles: Tracking emerging contaminants in homes and childcare settings in London; Favourable Adiposity Genetic Liability Reduce the Risk of Hypertension Among High Body Mass Individuals
Date: 7th May 2026

30 Apr
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Prof Serge Mostowy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Tony Tsolaki
Title: Septin roles in host defence
Date: 30th April 2026

26 Mar
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Laia Querol, Leiden University Medical Center
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Joseph Hetmanski
Title: Immune cells have a sweet tooth: new insights into galectin regulation of dendritic cell activity
Date: 26th March 2026

19 Mar
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Radu Zabet, QMUL Blizard Institute
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Prof Paola Vagnarelli
Title: Explainable Artificial Intelligence identifies novel mammalian enhancers and their epigenetic code
Date: 19th March 2026

12 Mar
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Ioanna Mela, University of Cambridge
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Michelle Sahai / AMIC
Title: DNA nanotechnology and advanced microscopy for targeted antimicrobial delivery
Date: 12th March 2026

04 Mar
2026 Conference

HILIGHT 2026: FLIM & Photonics

A two-day technical meeting advancing ultra-fast multiphoton FLIM for digital histopathology and cancer research.
Date: 4th-5th March 2026
Location: Michael Sterling Building, Brunel University London
Event Details →

26 Feb
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Format: Gavins Lab seminar, internal lab session
Speakers: Thomas Williams; Magda Malliari; Amina Ali
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Date: 26th February 2026

12 Feb
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr Hannes Maib, University of Sheffield
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Dr Barbara Tanos
Title: Membrane identity changes during endosomal sorting: A feedback loop between Snx17 and MTM1 couples endosomal cargo density to PI(3)P depletion
Date: 12th February 2026

05 Feb
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Prof Jonathon Pines, Institute of Cancer Research
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Prof Paola Vagnarelli
Title: Spatial control of mitosis - chromosomes are very lively corpses
Date: 5th February 2026

29 Jan
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Format: Esposito Lab seminar
Speakers: Conor Treacy; Mauro Chiacchia; Alessandro Esposito
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Title: Breaking Speed Limits: Ultra-Fast Biochemical Imaging to Enable Digital Histopathology
Date: 29th January 2026

20 Jan
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speakers: Prof Cristina Cardoso, TU Darmstadt; Prof Heinrich Leonhardt, LMU Munich
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Prof Joanna Bridger
Title: How does the most sexy chromosome replicate? Additional title details were not visible in the source announcement.
Date: 20th January 2026

16 Jan
2026 Seminar

Biosciences Seminar Series

Speaker: Prof Kevin Pfleger, University of Western Australia
Series organiser: Dr Ines Castro
Host: Prof Felicity Gavins
Title: Real time, live cell molecular pharmacology profiling
Date: 16th January 2026

Earlier Events Before 2026
05 Jun
2025 Outreach

Brunel Research Showcase and Impact Awards

Brunel Research Showcase and Impact Awards – a high‑profile event in central London celebrating Brunel’s research excellence, featuring panels on powertrain, genome engineering, social work, ageing, and more, plus the Research Impact Awards.

Read Full Recap →
03 Oct
2024 Conference

10th Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation Meeting

Hosted at Brunel University London, this meeting brought together the UK nuclear periphery Network to discuss the nuclear lamina, NPC functions, and genomic associations.
Location: Hamilton Centre, Brunel University London
Read Full Recap →

Latest Updates from LinkedIn

A look back at Brunel’s 2025/26 Biosciences Seminar Series, coordinated by Dr Ines Castro and delivered jointly by CenGEM, CIRTM and AMIC. The programme brought together speakers from Brunel, across the UK and overseas to discuss genome regulation, cancer, cell signalling, infectious diseases and more. Internal laboratory presentations also gave PhD students and early-career researchers opportunities to share their work. Thank you to our speakers, hosts and participants, and to Brunel’s Seminar Series Award for supporting the programme. Read the review: https://lnkd.in/e35SZrQt #CenGEM #Biosciences #BrunelUniversity

Post image Goodbye to the 25/26 Seminar Series | CenGEM

The 25/26 seminar series concluded successfully. Thanks to the Seminar Series Award (Brunel University of London).

Read More →

Brunel’s Biosciences PhD conference brought together postgraduate researchers from first to final year for talks and poster presentations in July. Congratulations to the students who won poster and presentation prizes, and to everyone who contributed to the conference. Thank you to BioRad, Calibre Scientific and STEMCELL for sponsoring the event. Conference recap: https://lnkd.in/e9bChYrS

Post image Brunel Bioscience PhD Conference 2026 | CenGEM

Doctoral talks, posters, flash presentations and research prizes from across Brunel Biosciences.

Read More →

Abstract deadline tomorrow for oral presentations! If you're interested in presenting your work at the 11th NECO meeting, please register here: https://lnkd.in/eHk9Gj3d and follow the instructions to submit your abstract. There are plenty of opportunities for talks, especially for postdocs and PhD students (who have free registration). It promises to be an exciting meeting, with the opportunity to speak to sponsors from Novogene, GenScript, Proteintech Group and PCR Biosystems and an editor from the Nature Portfolio. Registration (and the chance to bring along a poster) will remain open until the end of October. https://lnkd.in/e_nDH3T5

Read More →

Are you interested in the nuclear envelope or chromatin organisation? The 11th NECO meeting will be hosted at Brunel University of London on 5th and 6th November. All details and the registration link can be found on our website below: https://lnkd.in/eHk9Gj3d . All talks will be selected from abstracts, so if you have a story you want to tell please send in your abstract by October 2nd. This meeting will be attended by a Nature Communications/Nature Structural and Molecular Biology Editor. We thank our sponsors (Novogene, Genscript, ProteinTech and PCR Biosystems) for helping to keep the registration prices as low as possible, and free for all students and technicians!

Post image 11th Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation Meeting

The biannual Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation meeting returns for its 11th edition, following the success of the 2024 meeting.

Read More →

Great initiative by Barbara Tanos in partnership with Kidney Research UK. Looking forward for next week meeting!

Read More →

Following the engaging scientific exchanges at the 10th NECO Meeting in 2024, Brunel University of London will be hosting the 11th UK Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation (NECO) Meeting, to be held on 5–6 November in person organised by Inês Castro and Joseph Hetmanski. If you are interested in everything peripheral - including peripheral protein networks, chromatin organisation at the nuclear periphery, nuclear pore complex biology, nuclear transport, mechanobiology, nuclear envelope-linked disease, and related topics - please have a look at the meeting website below, where you can find all the information about the meeting, including registration details and pricing. The organise...

Post image 11th Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation Meeting

The biannual Nuclear Envelope and Chromatin Organisation meeting returns for its 11th edition, following the success of the 2024 meeting.

Read More →