COSIMENA-funded Winter School on Biophysical Approaches for Studying Ion Channels in Health and Disease

Apply to participate in the COSIMENA-funded winter school “Biophysical Approaches for Studying Ion Channels in Health and Disease”.

This year’s COSIMENA Winter School is organized in cooperation with the Faculty of Science at Galala University, the Department of Biochemistry at the German University Cairo, the Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB) at the Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena, and the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University of Lübeck within the framework of the COSIMENA Call for funding 2025. The Winter School is dedicated to ion channel research utilizing advanced biophysical methods to explore the contributions of ion channels to health and disease. An attractive combination of seminars and hands-on laboratory exercises offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of ion channels and related biophysical methods.

Aim and Scope

Ion channels are essential components in the membranes of biological cells that mediate a variety of fundamental cellular functions, including muscle contraction, nerve signaling, communication with the environment, and solute transport. Consequently, malfunctioning of ion channels underlies a plethora of diseases, collectively referred to as channelopathies. This Winter School will focus on selected ion channels and biophysical approaches tailored to study their contributions to health and disease. In addition to acquiring knowledge in specific aspects of molecular medicine, participants will also gain an overview of potential career paths in academia, the public health system, and the pharmaceutical industry. We aim to achieve this goal by bringing together renowned experts in ion channel research with participants with backgrounds ranging from basic sciences to biotechnology and human medicine.

Methodology / Program

The Winter School Biophysical Approaches to Studying Ion Channels in Health and Disease combines lectures, practical demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory exercises, with all participants actively involved. While lectures will cover a range of approaches relevant in ion channel research, including genetics, biochemistry, determination and interpretation of protein structures, modeling, cell physiology, advanced electrophysiological and optical analysis methods, the practical exercises will focus on the patch-clamp technique and associated workflows. To maximize the learning experience and foster active exchange between students and instructors, participants will be divided into several small groups. The program brings together students from the MENA region and Germany with diverse scientific backgrounds and will demonstrate how individuals with specific expertise in basic sciences can help solving problems of human health.

1. Who can apply?

To achieve regional diversity and foster intercultural cooperation between Germany and the MENA region, junior researches from the MENA region and Germany are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants should currently pursue or have finished a master’s program within the last 3 years, should hold a medical doctorate degree, or should be currently working on an MD project. They should come from one of the following disciplines:

Biochemistry / Biophysics
Biology / Biotechnology
Human medicine / Physiology
Pharmacology / Pharmacy
Neurosciences

2. Logistics

The DAAD Regional Office Cairo will cover all costs related to mobility and accommodation in the scope of the winter school. Accommodation will take place in Cairo with three meals a day provided. Extension of travel stay after the specified dates for arrival and departure must be paid by the participants themselves.

2.1 When?

The COSIMENA-funded Winter School will take place from the 25^th (arrival day) to the 31st of October (departure day).

2.2 Where?

The program starts on the 26^th and ends on the 30^th of October and is held at the German University in Cairo and the DAAD Regional Office Cairo.

2.3 Mobility & Accommodation

The arrangements for participants will be taken care of by the DAAD and partner universities. This will include covering the costs of transportation, accommodation, and boarding during the duration of the program.

Kindly note that no daily allowance is provided to the participants!

3. How to apply?

Required documents are:

Your CV in English
Your graduate diploma or master’s certificate (if already available) and transcripts
Proof of sufficient English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, language certificate from your university, proof of enrolment in an English-speaking program, etc.)
A motivation letter in English, outlining why you want to take part in the COSIMENA winter school, how you could personally benefit from the program and what kind of own project you are working on, or planning to work on. The length of the motivation letter should range between 400 – 500 words.
Support letter from your supervisor or institution

Please note that only complete applications will be accepted.