The NENS PhD Course “Mitochondrial Biology in the Nervous System: From Mechanisms to Disease”, endorsed by EURO-NMD, will take place from 7 to 11 September 2026 at the University of Turin, Italy.
Organised by the PhD in Neuroscience at Turin through the FENS Schools Network, the course will explore how mitochondrial biology shapes nervous system development and function, with a particular focus on mitochondrial disorders and therapeutic strategies.
Through lectures by internationally recognised experts, interactive discussions, poster sessions and a hands-on imaging workshop, participants will have the opportunity to connect fundamental, translational and clinical neuroscience.
Course details
- Dates: 7–11 September 2026
- Location: University of Turin, Italy
- Organiser: PhD in Neuroscience at Turin via the FENS Schools Network
- Endorsed by: EURO-NMD
Invited speakers
Massimo Zeviani, Paolo Porporato, Alessandro Prigione, Julien Courchet, Anna Ardissone, Emanuela Bottani, Dario Brunetti, Carlo Viscomi, Valerio Carelli, Alessia Indrieri, Deborah Chiabrando, Francesca Maltecca, Cristina Domínguez, Antonella Spinazzola, Robert McFarland and Michelangelo Mancuso.
Special hands-on sessions
Case Studies
An interactive discussion of representative clinical cases designed to develop diagnostic reasoning and connect basic mitochondrial biology with clinical practice, led by Guido Urbano and Antonella Spinazzola.
Multiscale Imaging of Mitochondria in Neural Cells
Participants will rotate through complementary imaging platforms to analyse mitochondrial structure and dynamics, including:
- High-resolution confocal microscopy
- Serial Block-Face Electron Microscopy (SBEM)
- Live imaging of mitochondrial dynamics
- Quantitative image analysis
Session led by Corrado Calì, Sara Bonzano and Serena Stanga.
FENS/IBRO-PERC stipends of up to EUR 750, including a registration fee waiver, were available for eligible Master and PhD students based in Europe. The stipend application deadline was 31 July 2026 and applications are now closed.