ESP Photobiology School

The purpose of the ESP Photobiology School is to provide an introductory overview of all main aspects of photobiology, presented by experts in each area. The intention is to cover the basic principles of photobiology and photochemistry of biomolecules as well as applications of such knowledge in understanding effects of climatic changes, influence of light on biological systems, applications of light in medicine and related purposes.

The School includes basic lectures in each field that should be attended by all participants as well as optional special lectures in the same fields. The students have the opportunity to present their results at a poster session.

The course may act as a foundation for further research in the photobiological sciences. The attendants may be MSc- and PhD-students as well as others who would be interested in an overview of the photobiological sciences. However, the course is primarily designed for PhD students. After completion of the course an attendance certificate is provided to all the students. In addition, an optional short final test is offered at the end of the course and an exam certificate is provided after evaluation of the exam results. Passing the exam will entitle students to apply for the ESP supplement to the Ph.D. Degree.

Students are encouraged to submit an abstract of their research to be presented as a poster during the School. The posters will be evaluated by the lecturers and the School attendee with the best poster will be awarded a travel fellowship to present the poster at the next ESP Congress.

Brixen panorama

Aerial view of the building

Driveway entrance to the building

Exterior view of the building

Interior of the building

Brixen Cathedral by night

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The School will cover the following areas:

• Aquatic photoecology;
• Biological responses;
• Biophotonics - Light dosimetry in biological tissues;
• Climate change;
• DNA damage and repair - Vitamin D effects;
• Environmental photobiology;
• Human photobiology and photomedicine;
• Natural and artificial photosynhtesis;
• Photodynamic inactivation of microbial pathogens.
• Photodynamic therapy and fluorescence diagnosis;
• Photosensitisers and drug delivery systems;
• Phototoxicity of drugs - Photopharmacology;
• Physical and chemical aspects of photobiology;
• Plant photobiology;
• Sensory photobiology - Optogenetics;
• Spectroscopy and microscopy;
• Ultraviolet and blue-light effects – Photoprotection;

• Faculty members
• School Program
• How to register
• Travel Information

Luis Arnaut (PT), Thierry Douki (FR), Christian Fankhauser (CH), Francesca Giuntini (UK), Gareth Jenkins (UK), Virginie Lhiaubet (ES), Giorgia Miolo (IT), Carlo Musio (IT), Santi Nonell (ES), Kristjan Plaetzer (AT), Adrian Rühm (DE), Pål Selbo (NO), Ruben Sommaruga (AT), Salvo Sortino (IT), John Spudich (US), Franz Trautinger (AT), Massimo Trotta (IT), Cristiano Viappiani (IT), Georges Wagnieres (CH).

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The School can accept only a limited number of students. PhD students attending the entire program will have priority. Approval of registration for PhD students will be on a “first registered and paid – first approved” basis.

A limited number of fellowships are available to students from low-income countries, ESP students having higher priority.

Registration to the 7h ESP Photobiology School is now open! Please proceed using this application form.

Travel information

Students and faculty membres will be hosted at the Accademia Cusanus (Via del Seminario, 2, 39042 Brixen/Bressanone BZ, Italia)

The school activities will take place in the Casa della Gioventù Universitaria of the University of Padova (Via Rio Bianco, 12, 39042 Brixen/Bressanone BZ, Italia)

How to reach Brixen/Bressanone:

By car
From Austria, travel on motorway “Brenner” (A22, exit Brixen North) or on the state road from Innsbruck via “Brennerpass” to Bozen.
From the South, travel on the same motorway (exit Chiusa/Klausen) or on the state road from Verona via Trento-Bolzano.
By train
In Brixen/Bressanone there is a train station for all intercity and local trains on the route Innsbruck-Brenner-Verona.
By air
International airports are located in Innsbruck (80 km), Bolzano (50 km), Verona (180 km), Milano (330 km), Venice (300 km) and Munich (260 km).