NEWS
European RosettaCon in Lisbon, Portugal
Sigrid joined more than 400 researchers in Lisbon for the European RosettaCon 2026, three days dedicated to the latest advances in computational protein design and their applications.
From protein dynamics and machine learning to new experimental approaches for understanding protein function, the programme showcased just how quickly the field is evolving. It was particularly exciting to see the many different approaches researchers are exploring to push the boundaries of what we can design and predict.
With inspiring talks, lively discussions and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow researchers, RosettaCon was a fantastic experience. And Lisbon certainly made for a beautiful setting! A big thank you to the organisers for an excellent conference!
28-30 October 2026
SMART Symposium in Shenzhen, China
Bart and Ivana travelled to Shenzhen to attend the SMART Symposium on the Expanding Genetic Code and Beyond, where they had the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in this field.
The meeting brought together researchers working on many exciting new directions in the field, from incorporating non-canonical amino acids into proteins to developing new protein functions and applications. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about the state-of-the-art research in the field.
A big thank you to the SMART team for the warm hospitality and for putting together such an inspiring meeting!
21-23 September 2026
Biocat2026 in Hamburg, Germany
Ivana, Emilia and Jan Hendrik attended Biocat2026 and enjoyed a great few days filled with interesting talks, new ideas and discussions about the latest developments in biocatalysis.
And of course, there was also time to enjoy the social side of the conference! The fabulous boat dinner was a definite highlight and a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends from the biocatalysis community.
Thanks to the organisers for a great conference!
23–27 August 2026
We are delighted to celebrate wonderful news: Ivana has been promoted to Associate Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, effective 1 August 2026. It's a well-deserved recognition of her and the group’s work over the past 6 years. The whole group is proud to celebrate this milestone with her, and excited for what's ahead as the lab continues to grow.
Ivana Promoted to Associate Professor
Hosting GCEBio2026: Three Days of Genetic Code Expansion in Amsterdam
The end of June was a busy but rewarding time for the group, as much of the lab rolled up their sleeves to help organize GCEBio2026, held from 29 June to 1 July at VU Amsterdam. Organized within the framework of the BiocatCodeExpander consortium, the conference brought together researchers working at the interface of chemistry, biology, and biotechnology to share the latest advances in genetic code expansion.
We really enjoyed connecting with colleagues from across the community, and it was wonderful to see so many great discussions, ideas, and collaborations spark over the three days. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the whole team for making it such a success!
29 June - 1 July 2026