BIP: Current trends in ageing research
Dive into ageing biology through seminars by top researchers from UniCA, UniGe and USE, and develop hands-on lab skills in ageing research with immersive sessions in specialised labs.
Course Outline
The course is structured into two main components: a digital component and a physical component, each designed to complement the other and enhance learning outcomes.
Collaboration: The course heavily emphasizes group collaboration, especially in the physical component where students are grouped into small teams (2-4 members) to engage in lab-immersion activities. These activities involve working on mini-projects within the labs, fostering teamwork and practical experience in a research setting.
Individual Participation: Individual learning occurs through participation in seminars and the digital streaming of these seminars for those who register virtually. Individual participation is also evident in poster presentations.
Expectations: By the end of the course, each group must present a 15-minute summary of their lab-based project, sharing insights and outcomes. This presentation is a significant task that encapsulates the practical application of their learning.
Course Content
The main topics addressed in this BIP are centered around the latest trends and technological advancements in ageing research. The content is delivered through seminars and hands-on lab training, with a strong emphasis on integrating clinical perspectives and innovative strategies.
Key focus areas include:
- Ageing Biology and Clinical Implications: Understanding the biological and clinical aspects of ageing, leveraging the expertise of research institutions like IRCAN.
- Transdisciplinary Approaches: The course underscores the importance of crossing traditional academic boundaries to tackle ageing, with a clear focus on collaborative and challenge-based learning.
Learning Outcomes
Following the completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand Current Trends in Ageing Research: Students will gain an up-to-date understanding of the field’s current state, including the latest research, technological advances, and clinical practices.
- Apply Practical Research Skills: Through lab-immersion sessions, students will acquire hands-on experience in applying research methodologies, technologies, and innovations specific to ageing research.
- Develop Collaborative Research Capabilities: Participants will enhance their ability to work effectively in transdisciplinary teams, a crucial skill for tackling complex research challenges.
- Prepare for Advanced Research Opportunities: The practical experience and networking opportunities provided will equip students to pursue further research, collaborations, or career opportunities in ageing research.
Physical Mobility
The physical event is broken down into two main sections, (i) the traditional seminar-based training, and (ii) focused lab-based training in one of 10 specialized labs (Lab-Track).
Seminars: We will bring together local and international experts in the field to present their work and educate the participants (physical and virtual) in the current state-of-the-art of ageing research in their respective area.
Lab-immersion: Small groups of 2 to 4 attendees will be integrated into a research laboratory to embark on a mini-project. This immersive experience will allow participants to employ the specific skills, state-of-the-art technologies, and advanced methodologies unique to the chosen lab. Over the course of four afternoons, they will receive intensive, hands-on training in their selected area of specialty. This module is designed exclusively for those attending in person, and will allow participants to have an immersive experience in a Lab they might like to collaborate or potentially write future applications like FRM, IBRO or MSCA.
During registration, attendees will be asked to select their top three lab projects of interest. We will then facilitate optimal group placement based on these preferences. The culmination of this practical journey will be a concise 15-minute presentation from each group, sharing insights and outcomes from their hands-on research endeavor.
Agenda
Day 0-4
Day 0: Travel to Nice (France)
Arrive in the accommodation and evening welcome drinks.
Day 1-4
Morning – Seminars: Leading researchers present the current trends and technologies within their respective fields ; Posters: Different set of students present their work in poster format.
Afternoon – Lab-immersion: Small groups (2-4) of Physical participants will join a lab for 4 days to learn new technologies, methodologies or techniques within the field, and conduct a mini-project as a group.
Day 5-6
Day 5
Morning – Seminars: Leading researchers present the current trends and technologies within their respective fields ; Posters: Different set of students present their work in poster format.
Afternoon – Lab-immersion Presentations: Each group of the lab-track will present their mini-projects ; Poster Prize awarded: A prize for the best poster will be chosen by a jury ; Active Networking Event: City tour or other type of activity to solidify the network of young researchers.
Day 6: Good bye
Virtual Component/Part
Morning seminars will be live broadcast to people registering virtually using zoom/teams (to be determined). Match4Cooperation, the Ulysseus research network, will also be used as a social media platform to connect all participants before, during and after the event and will give them access to research and innovation potential with the Ulysseus European University.