Pre-Conference ISMET Workshops in Jena

The Leibniz Institute HKI in Jena will host three rotating ISMET pre-conference workshops for the training of ISMET members on Monday, Sept. 15 and Tuesday, Sept. 16. The three workshops will last 3.5 hours each and each participant will rotate through every workshop.

The workshop will be sponsored by the DFG-funded program e-Biotech. Therefore, Participation is free and participants only have to cover their travel and accommodation.

Selection of participants will take place on a rating of the application to the workshop with focus on benefit of the workshop to the applicant.

Workshop Application

To apply for participation in the workshop, please fill in this PDF form and submit it at the application link below.

Workshop descriptions:

Workshop 1 – Bioelectrochemical Reactor Design

(Dr. Paniz Izadi and Dr. Lorenzo Cristiani)

This workshop will provide an in-depth guide on designing bioelectrochemical reactors tailored to specific applications, covering scales from microfluidic systems to cubic meter setups. Participants will explore the advantages and limitations of various reactor configurations considering the applications, with insights into their optimization for wastewater treatment, remediation of contaminated sites, (bio)electrosynthesis of high-value products, biogas upgrading, methanogenesis, hydrogen production, electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction and fundamental bioelectrochemistry research. Through a combination of theoretical discussions and practical examples, the workshop will equip attendees with the tools to align reactor design with desired outcomes, fostering innovation in this multidisciplinary field.

Workshop 2 – Electroanalytical Methods

(Dr. Benjamin Korth)

Within in this workshop, bioelectrochemical experiments will be performed with pre-cultivated electroactive model organisms in standardized setups. These electroactive microorganisms will be characterized by applying basic electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry. Turnover and non-turnover conditions can be investigated, as well as the addition of redox-active compounds. Approaches will also be presented and discussed in order to analyze the data and determine basic bioelectrochemical parameters. The workshop will not only encourage the attendees to conduct basic bioelectrochemical experiments but also to demonstrate common experimental pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Workshop 3 – Introduction to Metagenomics

(Dr. Santiago Boto and Sara Al-Sbei)

Metagenomics is a transformative field, with exciting applications in biotechnology, that explores the collective genetic material of a sample providing insights into microbial diversity, function, and ecological roles. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of metagenomics, including key concepts, workflows, and applications. Through a mix of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive discussions, attendees will learn about: experimental design and technology choice, bioinformatic approaches for data analysis, visualization and interpretation of results, and real application cases in biotechnology and bioelectrochemistry. By the end of the session, participants will have the knowledge and resources to confidently approach metagenomic studies, paving the way for deeper exploration of this exciting field.