News and Events

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 →

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 →

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.

Brunel Bioscience PhD Conference 2026

A departmental conference celebrating doctoral research through third-year talks, first- and second-year posters, two-minute flash presentations and research prizes.
Date: 7th July 2026, 9:30-16:30
Location: Brunel University London
Organisers: Prof Paola Vagnarelli and Dr Ines J. de Castro
CenGEM involvement: Centre sponsor and contributor to the scientific programme.

Event Details → Programme PDF →

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.

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.

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 →

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 →

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

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

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

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

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

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