When: 25-27 November 2026
Where: University of Oslo, Norway
Registration deadline: 28 August 2026
Notification of acceptance: 31 August 2026
Program: TBA

Course details

• Suggested ECTS: 2 ECTS (this must be discussed with your home university)
• Level: PhD students and postdocs
• Language: English
• Organized by: MiMa and University of Oslo

The course will cover fundamental concepts of infection biology and virulence: molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, experimental approaches and modern methodologies, vaccinology, genomic perspectives on pathogen evolution and epidemiology, AI and current and future challenges in infection biology.

The course combines lectures, poster sessions and interactive group work. Prereading material will be provided in advance.

Course venue and times

Venue: Domus Medica extension (DM4), entrance C, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 34, Oslo
Course times: Starts 09:15 on Wednesday November 25, ends 14:00 on Friday November 27

Tentative outline: Principles in infection biology

Concepts of virulence

• Extracellular pathogens
  • Gram-positive models and genetic engineering
  • Emerging Gram-negative pathogens
• Intracellular pathogens
  • Concepts in virology: Influenza Virus – From In Vitro Models to Vaccines
  • On tuberculosis and the evolution of drug resistance

Technologies

• • Frontline methodologies in microbiology
    • Microbial omics
    • Imaging & Single cell analysis
    • Genetic engineering and Microbe-host interactions
    • Eukaryotic infection models

Past, present and future

• • The past and the present
    • History of infections/microbiology
    • The rise in Beta-hemolytic group A, C &G Streptococcal infections over the past 20 years
  • Future challenges in infection biology
    • Impact of AI and machine learning in microbiology
    • Diagnostic preparedness for future outbreaks and pandemics – the current situation in Norway versus Europe and globally

Interactive group work

• • Thematic workshops 1: Protein-protein/protein DNA interactions
  • Thematic workshops 2: Infection models
  • Thematic workshops 3: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Thematic workshops 4: Novel therapy

Registration

In collaboration with the Norwegian research school Microbiology Matters (MiMa | UiT), up to five stipends will be offered to NDPIA members to support participation. These will cover registration, accommodation, and meals. A shared room will be covered. Additional costs for a single room must be covered by the participant.

Travel support:
NDPIA will provide support for travel. Please note that participating students are responsible for arranging their own travel to the University of Oslo. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received confirmation of admission.

NDPIA members can register below. In case of oversubscription, selection of participants will be made based on the submitted motivation for attending the course.

Non-NDPIA members: please contact anna-sara.lenman@umu.se to announce your interest in attending the workshop.

Please note that you must be logged in to access the registration form.

Bookings