Workshop Overview
Thursday, Feb. 27th
Workshop speaker: Philipp Mallm
Time: 09:00–12:00
Location: Seminarraum Gastro UKHD
Max. participants: 25
During the workshop we will cover the major techniques for single-cell sequencing, including multi-omics readouts. We will discuss how to plan a project, which steps require specific attention in establishing a (clinical) workflow and ways for efficient use of limited material. Eventually participants will develop a project in groups with timelines, budget and preferred techniques.
For this last step we invite participants to share their (project) ideas or provide specific questions or challenges relevant for their research.
Workshop speaker: Ulrike Engel
Time: 09:00–12:00
Location: Seminarraum Bioquant
Max. participants: 15
This workshop will start with a theoretical part focused on how to set up a proper immunofluorescence experiment where several markers are imaged. This tutorial is based on Dr. Engel’s experience of more then 15 years experience heading a multiuser microscopy core (Nikon Imaging Center) at Heidelberger University. What secondary antibody species can be within one experiment, how to select good fluorophores, how is spectral separation achieved in the microscope, how far can multiplexing go? Participants will become able to design valid experiments and be aware of possible pitfalls in multichannel experiments. Also they can ask questions regarding their own application.
Following this tutorial, participants will have the opportunity to tour the Nikon Imaging Center at Heidelberg University and have a look at what are latest achievements and what applications are possible in advanced fluorescence microscopy including light sheet and super resolution microscopy.
Workshop speaker: Stefan Terjung
Time: 08:00–12:00
Location: EMBL
Max. participants: 5 participants
Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful imaging method to gain information about localisation of proteins and other biomolecules in biological samples.
However, volumetric (3D) imaging deeper into tissues and other thick samples is complicated, because of scattering and absorption of both excitation and emission photons in biological specimens. These limitations result in decrease of image quality of confocal microscopy with increasing sample thickness.
In this workshop we will demonstrate and discuss how the use of two-photon laser-scanning microscopy can efficiently help to image higher depths in thicker samples. Two-photon microscopy makes use of a near-infrared pulsed laser light, which is scattered less due to the longer wavelength and in most cases allows imaging deeper inside thick samples. In two-photon microscopy fluorescence is only excited in the focus volume, allowing it to detect focal plane-specific scattered fluorescence photons. This property removes the need of a pinhole in two-photon modality of imaging. Furthermore, we will focus on Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging – a special modality of two photon microscopy enabling label-free imaging of repetitive structures like fibrillar collagen in the extracellular matrix of complex tissues. We will showcase use of SHG imaging together with associated image analysis protocol for quantitative studies of fibrillar collagen in lung tissue slices [1].
[1] Khan, M.M., D. Poeckel, A. Halavatyi, J. Zukowska-Kasprzyk, F. Stein, J. Vappiani, D.C. Sevin, C. Tischer, N. Zinn, J.D. Eley, N.S. Gudmann, T. Muley, H. Winter, A.J. Fisher, C.B. Nanthakumar, G. Bergamini, and R. Pepperkok. 2021. An integrated multiomic and quantitative label-free microscopy-based approach to study pro-fibrotic signalling in ex vivo human precision-cut lung slices. Eur Respir J. 58.
Workshop speaker: Stefan Terjung
Time: 08:00–12:00
Location: EMBL
Max. participants: 5 participants
Adaptive Feedback Microscopy is a powerful methodology for performing high-content microscopy experiments in an automated manner. Initially acquired overview images are automatically analysed and coordinates of the features of interest are communicated back to trigger follow-up acquisitions.
For example, low-resolution images can be automatically acquired and processed to identify target objects (e.g. organelles, cells or multicellular structures). Subsequently, images of the objects of interest are acquired in high content modality using desired settings like high-resolution 3D stacks with or without time-lapse. Moreover, adaptive feedback microscopy is frequently applied to automate object tracking during acquisition, photo-manipulation experiments (e.g. FRAP, photoactivation), perform ablations, etc.
In this workshop we will showcase automated identification and high resolution imaging of rare events using adaptive feedback microscopy. We will set up the adaptive feedback microscopy workflow on a confocal microscope using a combination of commercial acquisition and open-source image analysis software. We will show how to use the open-source AutoMicToools library (https://git.embl.de/halavaty/AutoMicTools) for designing and testing Adaptive Feedback Microscopy pipelines.
Workshop speaker: Stefan Terjung
Time: 08:00–12:00
Location: EMBL
Max. participants: 5 participants
Along with the spectral information of fluorescence, it is also possible to read out the fluorescence lifetime of a dye or fluorophore. The fluorescent lifetime is the average time it takes a fluorescent molecule to emit a photon after excitation. This information can be used to measure protein-protein interactions, perform environmental sensing using FRET-based or non-FRET-based biosensors, discriminate between fluorophores with the same emission spectrum but different fluorescent lifetimes or to utilise or suppress autofluorescence. The lifetime information can also be used to improve resolution. In this practical we give an overview of the instrumentation and will make use of the lifetime information to separate spectrally similar colour channels.
Workshop speaker: Ronald Koschny
Time: 08:00–12:00
Location: Endoskopie UKHD
Max. participants: 10
Join the Department of Gastroenterology at the Heidelberg University Hospital on Thursday morning for live endoscopy with complex pancreatic interventions.
Workshop speaker: Thomas Hank
Time: 08:00–12:00
Location: Chirurgie UKHD
Max. participants: 10
Der OP-Workshop bietet eine umfassende Einführung in die moderne Pankreaschirurgie. Der Fokus liegt auf der Behandlung von resektablen, borderline und lokal fortgeschrittenen Tumoren, zystischen Läsionen und der robotergestützten Chirurgie. Ergänzt wird das Programm durch Einblicke in die Rolle der neoadjuvanten und adjuvanten Therapie sowie das Komplikationsmanagement. Eine praxisnahe Diskussion mit führenden Experten rundet die Veranstaltung ab und bietet wertvolle Impulse für die eigene chirurgische Praxis.
Thursday, Feb. 27th – Saturday, Mar. 1st
Workshop speaker: NN
Time: NN
Location: Neue Universität
Max. participants: 2-5
Parallel to the conference program, hands-on training at DaVinci surgical system will be possible for several small groups (2-5 participants per group). These hands-on workshops are aimed specifically at surgical colleagues. A beginner’s workshop will cover the basic operation of the DaVinci surgical system. This workshop does not require any prior knowledge regarding the DaVinci surgical system. Suture training will be offered in an advanced workshop. For this, previous knowledge of the DaVinci surgical system is required.
Workshop speaker: NN
Time: NN
Location: Neue Universität
Max. participants: 4
In addition, in collaboration with Olympus, we will be able to offer endoscopic hands-on workshops parallel to the conference program. There will be a beginners’ workshop that will address the basics of gastroscopy. This workshop is open to anyone interested in endoscopy. In an advanced workshop, endoscopy-experienced participants can practice EUS and ERCP on a model under the guidance of an experienced endoscopist.