- Home
- Forthcoming Conferences
- Inter-organelle Stress Communication in Inflammation & Disease Conference
Inter-organelle Stress Communication in Inflammation & Disease Conference
Bridging Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Translational Research #IOSCD25
Prices from:
€1,118.0010 Oct - 13 Oct 2025
St. Julian's, Malta
-
Katharina Schlacher
MD Anderson Cancer Center
-
Phillip West
The Jackson Laboratory
Early Bird - 01 May 2025 • Talk Submission - 01 May 2025 • Poster Submission - 14 Aug 2025 • Registration & Payment Deadline - 14 Aug 2025
Synopsis
Stress responses require proper communication and orchestration between organelles critical for key decisions in cell survival and death, and crosstalk between networks is required to properly join stress responses with metabolic pathways compartmentalized within distinct organelles. Dysregulated organelle networks are increasingly implicated in cell and tissue dysfunction governing disease mechanisms, including inflammation. For example, the inability of nuclear DNA repair proteins to localize to and act on mitochondrial DNA elicits the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger inflammatory signalling cascades. Similarly, lysosomal dysfunction can perturb mitochondrial activity, leading to metabolic impairment and DAMP-induced inflammation. This interdisciplinary meeting will bring together experts working on genome instability, organelle biology and immunity to advance understanding of organelle stress communication mechanisms in homeostatic and pathological settings including cancer, metabolic and neurologic diseases, and aging.
Key Sessions
Interactive talks and panel discussions will cover the following topics:
• Mitochondria-Nuclear Crosstalk in DNA Damage Responses
• Mitochondria-ER-Lysosome Crosstalk and Quality Control
• DNA Damage Responses and Inflammation
• Organelles in Innate Immune Signalling
• Organelle Communication in Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases
• Organelle Communication in Neurodegeneration and Aging
• Organelle Communication in Cancer
Confirmed Keynote Speaker
Zhijian "James" Chen (UT Southwestern)
Confirmed Invited Speakers
Gloria Echeverria (Baylor College of Medicine)
Boyi Gan (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
MITOCHONDRIAL REDOX CONTROL AND FERROPTOSIS
Vera Gorbunova (University of Rochester)
EPIGENOME STABILITY AND LONGEVITY
Roger Greenberg (University of Pennsylvania)
PATTERN RECOGNITION OF DNA DAMAGE
Gaorav Gupta (UNC School of Medicine)
Karl-Peter Hopfner (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)
John Maciejowski (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Jodi Nunnari (Altos Labs)
John Petrini (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Julien Prudent (MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit)
Angelika Rambold (Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology & Epigenetics)
ORGANELLE COMMUNICATION - IN CONTROL OF IMMUNE CELL METABOLISM AND FUNCTION
Jeff Rathmell (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)
THE INFLAMMATORY MICROENVIRONMENT AND FEVER
Gerald Shadel (Salk Institute)
STRESSFUL CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MITOCHONDRIA AND THE NUCLEUS
Aleksandra Trifunovic (University of Cologne)
Cornelia Weyand (Stanford University)
Antonio Zorzano (IRB Barcelona)
Target Audience
• Molecular Biologists studying DNA damage stress responses in the context of inflammation and disease
• Cell biologists studying organelle dynamics in physiology and disease
• Researchers interested in mitochondrial biology and mitochondria-mediated inflammation
• Immunologists studying organelle control of innate immunity and inflammatory signalling
• Clinicians and translational biologists interested in organelle-immune connections in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging
Educational Need
Despite growing appreciation for inter-organelle communication in health and disease, there are few avenues for researchers to come together and develop a wholistic understanding of organelle crosstalk. By focusing on stress responses, the goal of this meeting is to stimulate the cross-fertilization of ideas between scientists working in diverse areas of genome stability, organelle biology, inflammation, and disease to nucleate new collaborations and shape research questions in this rapidly advancing field. Moreover, this meeting will be an exceptional opportunity for students, postdocs, and junior group leaders to meet leading researchers in various fields (i.e. genome stability, organelle dynamics, mitochondrial biology, innate immunity, cancer, metabolic disease, aging, etc), while building mentoring networks and receiving feedback on their ongoing work.
Confirmed Speakers
Chairs
Katharina Schlacher
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Phillip West
The Jackson Laboratory
Plenary Speakers
Zhijian "James" Chen
UT Southwestern
Invited Speakers
Gloria Echeverria
Baylor College of Medicine
Boyi Gan
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Vera Gorbunova
University of Rochester
Roger Greenberg
University of Pennsylvania
Gaorav Gupta
UNC School of Medicine
Karl-Peter Hopfner
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
John Maciejowski
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Jodi Nunnari
Altos Labs
John Petrini
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Julien Prudent
MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit
Angelika Rambold
Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology & Epigenetics
Jeff Rathmell
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Gerald Shadel
Salk Institute
Aleksandra Trifunovic
University of Cologne
Cornelia Weyand
Stanford University
Antonio Zorzano
IRB Barcelona
Programme
Please note, the below programme is an initial draft and is subject to change in the months leading up to the conference.
Registration Prices
| Ticket Type | Early Bird | Full Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Single Choose this option if you will be attending the conference alone and wish to have your own private room. |
€2255 | €2351 |
|
Shared Choose this option if you wish to share with a colleague who is also attending the conference, or if you wish to be paired with another attendee of the same sex, or if you have an accompanying adult. |
€1952 | €2048 |
|
Student Choose this option if you are a student. Please note all students will be paired with another attendee of the same sex if a room sharer is not specified. If you wish to have your own room, please register under the 'Single' ticket option. |
€1118 | €1118 |
Additional Prices
| Addition Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
|
Additional Person This is the cost for an additional adult or child to join you in the same room, for the conference period. Additional guests are not permitted access to the conference. If you wish to extend your stay, please see our 'Extra Night' prices. |
€520 | €7 |
|
Extra Night Prices for extra nights apply per person, per night. |
€267 | €0 |
All registration fees include 3 nights accommodation and meals during the conference period. Exact inclusions are detailed below.
What's Included in our Registration Fees?
Our registration fees are inclusive of the following at Hilton Malta during the conference period only:
- Conference registration.
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (10, 11, 12 October 2025) on a single or shared basis.
- Buffet breakfast in Oceana restaurant .
- Buffet lunch in Oceana restaurant, two soft drinks or juices, coffee/tea and water.
- Buffet dinner in Oceana restaurant, two drinks vouchers (can be exchanged for a glass of house wine, glass of house beer, or soft drink).
- BBQ Gala Dinner, three drinks vouchers (can be exchanged for a glass of house wine, glass of house beer or soft drink).
- Two drink vouchers during the poster session (can be exchanged for a glass of house wine, glass of house beer or soft drink).
- Daily coffee breaks.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
What's Included in our Accompanying Adult Fees?
Our accompanying adult fees are inclusive of the following at Hilton Malta during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (10, 11, 12 October 2025) on a shared basis with a conference participant.
- Buffet breakfast in Oceana restaurant.
- Buffet lunch in Oceana restaurant, two soft drinks or juices, coffee/tea and water.
- Buffet dinner in Oceana restaurant, two drinks vouchers (can be exchanged for a glass of house wine, glass of house beer, or soft drink).
- BBQ Gala Dinner, three drinks vouchers (can be exchanged for a glass of house wine, glass of house beer or soft drink).
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: Accompanying persons are not permitted access to the conference. Meals are only available during the times listed in the conference programme and accompanying guests must dine with the group.
What's Included in our Accompanying Child Fees?
Our accompanying child fees are inclusive of the following at Hilton Malta during the conference period only:
- 3 nights’ fixed accommodation (10, 11, 12 October 2025) on a shared basis per adult.
- Buffet breakfast in Oceana restaurant.
- Buffet lunch in Oceana restaurant.
- Buffet dinner in Oceana restaurant.
- BBQ Gala Dinner.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: Meals are only available during the times listed in the conference programme and accompanying children must dine with the group. No beverages are included for children and must be paid on consumption.
Accompanying child fees are applicable for children aged 0-10 years. Children aged 11+ years are classified as an adult at Hilton Malta.
Please kindly ensure your child / children are supervised at all times during conference and related events. Childcare services are available at the hotel, please contact Chloe for further information.
What's Included in our Extra Night Fees?
Our extra night fees are inclusive of the following at Hilton Malta during the conference period only:
- 1 night’s accommodation for 1 person.
- Buffet breakfast in Oceana restaurant.
- Complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Important Note: Extra night child fees are applicable for children aged 0-10 years when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 11+ years are classified as an adult.
Prices and hotel availability are subject to change without notice.
Supported by
Media Partners
Interested in sponsoring this conference?
Contact usVenue & Location
Hilton Malta
We are excited to be heading back to St. Julian’s as our Mediterranean destination for October 2025!
Located only 15 minutes from the ancient capital city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hilton Malta is an oceanfront resort overlooking the stunning Portomaso Marina in St. Julian’s. With modern amenities, scenic views, and a tranquil atmosphere, it offers the perfect balance between professional functionality and easy access to local culture and history.
This is not an all-inclusive property, but our registration packages include a full food and beverage package during the conference period. Breakfast remains at leisure, however, the more intimate hotel setting allows us to host group lunches and dinners, providing an ideal environment for focused discussions, so attendees can continue to network and brainstorm outside of planned sessions.
For those who wish to stay extra nights either side of the conference, rates will be bed and breakfast only, so attendees have the freedom to explore local dining experiences and authentic cuisine.
Hotel facilities include;
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and throughout hotel and conference areas
• 4 Seasonal Outdoor Pools
• Spa with Indoor Swimming Pool
• Fitness Center and Tennis Court
• 3 Restaurants
• 2 Bars
General Information
Venue Rating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Address
Vjal Portomaso St Julian's PTM, 01, Malta
Nearest Airport
Malta International Airport
Location
The Hilton Malta overlooks the stunning Portomaso Marina in St. Julian’s. This beautiful hotel is located only 15 minutes from the ancient capital city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Transportation
The hotel is approximately 20 minutes from Malta International Airport, the official airport of the Maltese Islands.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside the airport, however we would strongly recommend you use one of the transport app providers below.
There are 3 options for booking transport with an app- Uber, Bolt and eCabs. They all operate in and around Malta, and the fares are generally cheaper than a taxi. The cost of transfers between Malta International Airport and the city of St Julians generally ranges from €15 to €20.
Local Activities
Local activity details will be announced here soon.
Group Activities
Group activity details will be announced here soon.
Submit for a Talk
Submitting an Abstract
There are several presentation opportunities available at this meeting, in both talk and poster form. To be considered for either option, please register for the conference, upload your abstract when prompted to do so, and select your preferred presentation method. Once submitted, you will be able to monitor the status of your abstract through your Fusion account. You will also receive an email to confirm the outcome of your abstract review.
If you are unable to register for the conference for any reason, but still wish to submit an abstract for consideration, please email the Conference Manager directly.
Please use the abstract template provided (see below) and ensure your abstract is no longer than one page in length.
Note: talk slots are limited for each conference, and we often receive more submissions than spaces available. If your talk submission is unsuccessful on this occasion, your abstract will automatically be considered for a poster presentation as an alternative.
Accepted for a Short Talk
If you are accepted for a Short Talk, we recommend you check our website regularly as the conference approaches for programme updates, these will be released under the ‘Programme’ tab on the conference website.
On the day of your presentation please make yourself known to our AV technician who will be present in the conference room. We advise running through your presentation at least 30 minutes prior to your session commencing to ensure your slides and any videos or animations appear as expected. We prefer our speakers to run their presentation from the master PC or Mac to ensure a smooth and timely transition between presenters, however, if you prefer to use your own laptop, please notify AV prior to the session. A HDMI cable is usually available on the podium to accommodate this.
Our AV technician will run through microphone options and provide a combined slide advancer and laser pointer ahead of your talk.
We ask all speakers to adhere to their time slots and respect their fellow presenters. A visual traffic light aide will be available to warn presenters as their time decreases, and our Session Chairs will assist with keeping everyone to time.
Please make sure your presentation adheres to the following guidelines:
Aspect Ratio: On Screen Show (16:9)
File Type: PPT, PPTS or Keynote format.
Accepted for a Poster Presentation
We recommend bringing your poster along with you to the conference as our venues do not have onsite printing facilities. If you wish to independently source local printing, please feel free to do so – the hotel address can be found under the ‘Venue’ tab if needed.
Our poster boards can accommodate a maximum poster size of A0 (1189H x 841W mm), portrait in orientation. Posters exceeding this size may not fit on the poster boards provided and therefore we may be unable to display your poster, so please kindly keep to these measurements.
Upon arrival to the conference, the Fusion team will give you instructions for displaying your poster. Your poster will remain on display for the duration of the conference, allowing presenters to take advantage of refreshment breaks and free time for valuable networking opportunities, in addition to the dedicated poster session.
Please check the programme and note the date and time of the poster session(s). Your poster will be judged during the poster session(s) and prizes will be awarded at the Gala Dinner.
Posters will be taken down by the Fusion team and can be collected on the final day of the conference.
If you are interested in this meeting but not yet ready to register, you can sign up for updates here and our team will keep you updated regarding deadline reminders and grant opportunities relating to this meeting only.
Media Partners
If you're interested in sponsoring this conference please contact us.
Conference Manager
Chloe Trundle
Need some help? Chat to the Fusion team today
As a family run business, our dedication runs deep. We’re committed to each other and, even more so, to every attendee’s experience, delivering a level of care and passion that’s truly unmatched.