Advanced Training Course in Molecular Bioengineering 2026
Peptides Powering the Future of Skin Care: from cosmetics to therapeutics
6-10 July 2026 | i3S, Porto, PT
Welcome
The MOBILIsE Advanced Training Course in Molecular Bioengineering is designed to provide a training platform for educating the next generation of Molecular Bioengineering leaders – a rapidly growing field that explores the most recent advances in chemical, biological, and engineering sciences, to develop advanced molecular-level solutions to complex medical problems.
This year, on its 4th edition, the course will be organised together with the SNOOPY COST Action (CA23111), and will focus on the power of peptides in therapeutics and cosmetic development, aiming to provide an integrated view of skin-active peptides, spanning cosmetic peptide discovery and design, advanced characterization, formulation, and translational therapeutic applications.
As in the previous editions, the course will run the entire day from Monday to Friday. The program combines morning lectures with hands-on practical sessions (26 hours total) in the afternoons, enabling participants to connect theory with real-world experimental workflows. In this edition, participants will:
- Gain a solid understanding of peptide roles in skin care and therapeutics;
- Acquire hands-on experience with key characterization and modelling techniques;
- Learn how to translate cosmetic peptide research toward therapeutic applications;
- Develop skills in data analysis, reporting, and scientific communication; and
- Gain industry perspectives highlighting translational and formulation perspectives.
Date and Venue
6-10 July 2026
i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208; 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Tel: +351 226 074 900 | E-mail: events@i3s.up.pt
GPS coordinates: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W
How to arrive at i3S and Accommodation suggestions
Target Audience and Requirements
This course is designed for researchers, industry scientists, and advanced trainees interested in peptide science, skin models, formulations, and data-driven approaches. It can be attended by:
> Postgraduate students: Master’s and PhD students enrolled in Biomedical Engineering or Bioengineering master’s and doctoral programmes, or related areas.
> Researchers working on peptide/protein and biomolecular interactions in general for different biomedical applications.
> Industrial professionals developing biomaterials, drugs, and biomedical devices.
> Internal and external members. 30 participants max.
The course is taught in English. Participants need to bring their laptop.
Organising Committee
> Helena Azevedo | Molecular Biomaterials Group, i3S, Portugal
> Mariana Simões | MOBILIsE, i3S, Portugal
> Paula Gomes – Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Portugal
> Daniela Kalafatović – Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
> MOBILIsE ERA Chair project, INEB/i3S, Portugal
> SNOOPY – Searching for Nanostructured or pOre fOrming Peptides for therapY (COST Action CA23111)
Lecturers
Goran Mauša
Fac. Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Goran Mauša
Fac. Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Artur Cavaco-Paulo
University of Minho; Solfarcos, Portugal
Artur Cavaco-Paulo
University of Minho; Solfarcos, Portugal
Ana Gomes
LAQV- REQUIMTE, FCUP, Portugal
Ana Gomes
LAQV- REQUIMTE, FCUP, Portugal
Ivan Sasselli
CFM, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Spain
Ivan Sasselli
CFM, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Spain
Rúben F. Pereira
i3S and ICBAS - University of Porto, Portugal
Rúben F. Pereira
i3S and ICBAS - University of Porto, Portugal
Ruben Ragg
Wiley-VCH, Germany
Ruben Ragg
Wiley-VCH, Germany
Ricardo A. Pires
I3B's, Braga, POrtuhal
Ricardo A. Pires
I3B's, Braga, POrtuhal
Rein Ulijn
ASRC, City University of New York, USA
Rein Ulijn
ASRC, City University of New York, USA
Ines Neundorf
University of Cologne, Germany
Ines Neundorf
University of Cologne, Germany
Anna Maria Papini
University of Firenze, Italy
Anna Maria Papini
University of Firenze, Italy
Instructors
Bárbara Matos
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Bárbara Matos
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Ena Drazic
Fac. Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Ena Drazic
Fac. Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Carlos Redondo-Gómez
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Carlos Redondo-Gómez
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Rui Fernandes
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Rui Fernandes
i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Program
DAY 1 | 6 July 2026
09:15 Reception of participants and registration
09:30 Welcome address and introduction to the course
09:40 Participants’ presentation
10:00 Lecture 1 “Breaking Misconceptions in Applying Machine Learning to Peptides”
Goran Mauša | University of Rijeka, HR
11:00 Coffee Break
11:30 Lecture 2 “Coarse-grained molecular dynamics to design peptide materials with tailored properties”
Ivan R. Sasselli | Materials Physics Center (CFM), CSIC-UPV/EHU, ES
12:30 Lunch Break
14:00-17:00 Hands-on Session “ML workflows and MD analysis exercises”
Goran Mauša and Ivan R. Sasselli
DAY 2 | 7 July 2026
09:30 Lecture 3 “Controlling cellular behaviour using supramolecular systems”
Ricardo A. Pires | I3B’s, PT
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 Lecture 4 “Cell-penetrating peptides as future tools to improve skin health?”
Ines Neundorf | University of Cologne, DE
12:00 Lunch Break
13:30-17:30 Laboratory sessions
“Sample preparation”
“Biophysical Characterization: UV–Vis Spectroscopy”
“Transmission Electron Microscopy”
DAY 3 | 8 July 2026
09:30 Lecture 5 “Molecular Dynamics and Beyond: Computational Insights In Cosmetics Research”
Artur Cavaco-Paulo | University of Minho; Solfarcos Ltd., PT
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 Lecture 6 “Adapting Scholarly Communication for the Digital Era: Publishing Strategies for 2026 and Beyond”
Ruben Ragg | ChemBioChem/ChemFoodChem at Wiley-VCH, DE
12:00 Lunch Break
14:00 MOBILIsE Seminar in Molecular Bioengineering
“Peptide Materials for Protection and Encapsulation”
Rein Ulijn | CUNY Graduate Center, USA
15:30-17:30 Laboratory sessions
“Biophysical Characterization: UV–Vis Spectroscopy”
“Transmission Electron Microscopy”
“Working on group presentations”
DAY 4 | 9 July 2026
09:30 Lecture 7 “Reinventing Collagen Protection: From KP1 Discovery to Next-Generation Retro-Inverso Peptide Cosmetics“
Anna Maria Papini | University of Florence, IT
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 Lecture 8 “Cosmetic peptide-based conjugates as multifunctional agents for advanced wound care”
Ana Gomes | LAQV REQUIMTE, FCUP, University of Porto, PT
12:00 Lunch Break
14:00 MOBILIsE Seminar in Molecular Bioengineering
“The End of Dirty Chemistry: Industrializing Ethics in Peptide Cosmetics“
Anna Maria Papini | University of Florence, IT
15:30-17:30 Hands-on session
“Working on group presentations”
DAY 5 | 10 July 2026
09:30 Lecture 9 “Harnessing peptides for the biomanufacturing of in vitro skin models”
Rúben Pereira | i3S and ICBAS, University of Porto, Portugal
11:00 – Session for COST participants about COST financial support
11:30 – Working on group presentations & Lunch Break
14:00-16:45 Delivery of group presentations
16:45 Course Closure
MOBILIsE Hub*/ P.CCC**
200 €
SNOOPY COST Action CA23111
FREE
Other
300 €
Registration fee includes:
> coffee breaks
> certificate of attendance
> course materials
**MOBILIsE Hub (i3S, INEB, IBMC, IPATIMUP, LAQV REQUIMTE, IPO.PORTO, CICECO-UA)
*P.CCC - Porto Cancer Comprehensive Centre
To register, you need to submit a short CV and a letter explaining the motivation and relevance of this course for your career and current work (max. one A4 letter- page each).
Please note that your registration does not confirm that you have been selected for the course. Participation will be confirmed by email as soon as possible, after the selection process. Payment details will be provided once registrations are accepted.
Registration deadline: 8 Apr 2026
Free registration and travel reimbursement for CA23111 members: 20 spots are available for young researchers. The selection will be based on the quality of the application, consisting of the CV and motivation letter, and taking into account geographical diversity and gender balance. After the selection process, the accepted participants will be announced.
CANCELATION POLICY
By the participant: If a registered participant wishes to cancel a paid registration or does not attend the course, the fee will not be refunded. Substitutions will only be made in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the course organisers. Any cancellation or substitution request should be made by e-mail.
By the organiser: The i3S reserves the right to cancel the course, in case of an insufficient number of participants, organisational reasons, or other unforeseeable events that render the execution of the course impossible. In this case, the fee will be refunded. In addition, i3S reserves the right to amend course times, dates or published prices if necessary. The organiser shall immediately inform the pre-registered participants of these alterations.
Sponsors and Support
More Information:
Advanced Training Unit | E-mail: training@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900