Take the opportunity to learn more about protein structure and drug design during a two-day 1 ECTS course at Lund University 18-19 January 2016! Participants will gain deeper understanding and hands-on knowledge about protein-ligand interactions, compound docking and structures in drug design.

Overview of course content:

Day 1
Lecture: Protein-ligand interactions and drug design. Structure-based drug design (SBDD): Hit identification, hit optimisation lead generation
Tutorial: In silico screening and compound docking

Day 2
Lecture: Structural aspect of protein synthesis inhibition by antibiotics
Tutorial: Assessment and analysis of docking results

Link to additional information and registration

Deadline for registration: 1 December, 2015

Please visit www.proteinstructures.com for general information on protein structures.

If you are looking for a postdoc position or a fellowship, please visit our new page Jobs/fellowships listing vacancies at institutes/organizations focusing on infection biology. Also announcements of separate specific positions are included. No e-mail alerts will be sent when new vacancies are posted, so please make a habit of visiting our new job opportunities page if you are looking for a new position.

Related to this, if you change your status from PhD student to postdoc or from postdoc to another position, please inform anna.holmstrom@umu.se about this, facilitating keeping accurate records of NDPIA participants.

In collaboration with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) will offer a number of bioinformatics modules 10-12 and 17-19 of November 2015. The modules will be taught at Umeå University by EBI staff and members of NDPIA are offered to participate for free. Non-NDPIA applicants can be considered if the modules are not fully subscribed (also without charge).

Half-day training modules (10-12 November):

1. Introduction to databases at EMBL-EBI
2. Protein sequence databases
3. Protein function and classification
4. Introduction to sequence searching at EMBL-EBI
5. Standards and ontologies
6. Interactions & pathways

Full-day training modules (17-19 November):

1. Protein structures and tools from the PDBe
2. Ensembl Genomes
3. ArrayExpress / Expression Atlas

Link to schedule and information about the modules via EMBL-EBI.

Deadline for registration: 26 October 2015

Link to additional information and registration:

https://ndpia.se/events/embl-ebi-bioinformatics-modules-at-umea-university/

The National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA), connected activities and networking opportunities were recently highlighted in the web magazine Curie, published by the Swedish Research Council (VR).

Link to article

During the spring of 2015 a survey aiming at facilitating planning of future activities of the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) in line with participant’s suggestions was distributed. 25 NDPIA participants (of current 150) undertook the survey and the results are briefly described below.

Personal communication and information via e-mail were the most common ways of learning about NDPIA. Participants joined the programme to attend courses and for networking opportunities. Both thematic and non-thematic future network meetings were considered. A majority of respondents were in favor of discussions in smaller groups, however, to some extent also poster sessions (divided) and short PowerPoint presentations were considered. Both overview and in-depth lectures was requested and there was an interest in speakers discussing synergies between basic and clinical research. A variety of topics/themes for lectures were suggested. A majority of participants reported that it was likely or very likely they should network with other NDPIA participants via social media: LinkedIn > ResearchGate > Facebook > Other (such as www.academia.edu, www.ndpia.se, YouTube channel/video lectures). All planned course/workshop topics were of interest for the respondents, bioinformatics being most popular. Additional topics were suggested.
All but one of the respondents found www.ndpia.se useful or very useful. A vast majority of participants access the page once a month and/or when they are notified via e-mail.

The opinions on the overall views of the network meeting in Uppsala varied a lot and so did the opinions on the specific networking opportunities and the lectures. The networking opportunities together with the smaller format of the meeting were appreciated although increased time for poster sessions was suggested.

Many thanks to all NDPIA participants who filled out the survey!