September 14–18, 2026 | Justus Liebig University Gießen, Germany

We are delighted to invite you to the EpiNephroGen Summer School 2026, a dynamic and interactive training event dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research in nephrology.

About the Summer School

Designed for early-career researchers in medicine, biology, and bioinformatics, this summer school offers a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise in innovative areas of kidney research. A central theme of the program is the integration of sex- and gender-sensitive perspectives into biomedical research—an essential yet often underrepresented dimension in modern science.

Participants will explore epigenetic mechanisms, with a special focus on DNA methylation, and their role in the onset and progression of kidney diseases. The program will also address important clinical contexts, including kidney transplantation outcomes and post-transplant complications such as malignancies.

Hands-on Learning & Data Exploration

A key feature of the summer school is its strong practical component. Working with real, anonymized clinical and molecular datasets from the GeGe4Nephro project, participants will gain hands-on experience in data analysis. This includes:

• Investigating sex-based biological differences in research data,
• Understanding how bias can arise in medical studies, and
• Learning advanced strategies for more inclusive and robust analyses.

Interactive and Collaborative Experience

The program combines expert lectures by leading researchers with focused hands-on sessions, fostering an engaging and collaborative learning environment.

The summer school concludes with a poster pitch session, offering participants the opportunity to present their work, receive feedback, and enhance their scientific communication and networking skills.

Special Highlight

Participants will also be invited to attend the International GeGe4Nephro Symposium on Sep. 16, 2026, providing additional exposure to international perspectives and the latest advances in nephrology research.

Our Vision

The EpiNephroGen Summer School aims to promote more differentiated, inclusive, and precise research approaches. By embedding sex- and gender-sensitive analysis into nephrology, we strive to contribute to a future of more equitable and personalized translational medicine.

Application Information

• Number of participants: 20 selected participants
• Support: Travel and accommodation funding available for selected applicants

To apply, please refer to the full instructions on the official website of the 2026 EpiNephroGen Summer School.

We look forward to welcoming you to Gießen in September 2026 for an inspiring and impactful summer school experience!