The 16th ER & Redox Club Meeting hosted by the University of Namur

Founded in 1998, the ER & Redox Club brings together scientists from around the world who share a common research focus on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a key compartment for protein folding. Meeting every two years, this club provides a collaborative platform for researchers working on redox function, protein folding and ER homeostasis, enabling them to exchange knowledge and expertise. The event offers participants the opportunity to present their research and to discuss key advancements and challenges related to ER function in health and disease.

The 16^th edition of the ER & Redox Club Meeting was held at the UNamur from March 17 to 20, 2025.  This year’s event was organized by Alison Forrester, group leader of the HoMER - Homeostasis and Modulation of ERES team at NARILIS-UNamur (Forrester lab), together with Emma Fenech, group leader at the Center for Biochemistry of the University of Cologne (Fenech lab). Both scientists, who have been attending the meeting since they were young researchers, have now established themselves as leading experts in the field and took on the role of conference organizers for this edition.

The meeting gathered 61 researchers in Namur, with an additional 9 joining online. The scientific programme featured 25 oral communications and 15 poster presentations, showcasing research from 28 different groups across 13 countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Brazil and China). Beyond the rich scientific content, the conference also devoted time to promoting sustainability in research laboratories. A lively roundtable session Sustainability in the Lab, chaired by Alison Forrester, explored ways to make research environments greener. Finally, the meeting provided opportunities for strengthening connections in a relaxed atmosphere. Participants had the chance to network during shared dinners, a guided tour of Namur’s charming city center, and a gala dinner, where engaging discussions and exchanges of ideas took place.

The event was supported by the Namur Research College (NARC), as Alison Forrester received a three-year NARC fellowship in 2023 for her project Drugging the ERES. Additionally, the Company of Biologists awarded 10 travel grants to support the participation of young researchers and provided funding to promote sustainable practices during the conference. The FEBS Journal awarded a prize for the best poster, which this year went to Federica Cecilia Palazzo, PhD student at the Technical University of Munich.