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Dear UBC,
We hope you had a restful and inspiring summer, and that the new academic year has begun smoothly.
Joining UBC this year is the Bioinformatics team from the Institute of Life Sciences and Chemistry (ILC) at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. Their expertise and fresh perspectives will strengthen our network, and we look forward to the many collaborations their partnership will spark.
On 7 November, we will come together for the 11th UBC Symposium, themed Bioinformatics in the Age of AI. The program includes keynote lectures by UBC fellow Alexandre Bonvin and international guests Prof. Yiliang Ding and Dr. Sebastian Lobentanzer. We will also feature contributions from the ILC Bioinformatics team. In addition, our community’s latest research will be highlighted through pitch talks and posters.
Above all, we are excited to connect in person, exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and continue building the UBC network. We look forward to seeing you on 7 November!
Warm regards,
Ronnie de Jonge
On behalf of the UBC Daily Board |
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HADDOCK reaches 66,000 users
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| HADDOCK, the molecular docking platform developed in the Bonvin Lab, has now reached over 66,000 users in 174 countries. As part of the WeNMR Virtual Research Community, HADDOCK supports structural biologists worldwide by enabling the modeling of biomolecular interactions through user-friendly, web-based services. In a recent EGI Magazine interview, Alexandre Bonvin reflects on the growth of WeNMR and the role of HADDOCK in advancing collaborative, accessible science. |
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HU University of Applied Sciences joins UBC
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| HU University of Applied Sciences has officially joined the UBC community. In a new interview on our website, lecturer Chris van Oevelen shares how bioinformatics at HU has grown into a strong, practice-oriented program that integrates data science across their Life Sciences curriculum. Chris highlights HU’s focus on training ‘hybrid’ students, who are skilled in both lab work and data analysis. The interview also points to new opportunities for collaboration with UBC members. |
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Paulien Hogeweg elected as EMBO Member
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| We are proud to share that Paulien Hogeweg has been elected as a member of EMBO, the European Molecular Biology Organization. Paulien is an emeritus professor at Utrecht University and pioneer in computational biology. She co-coined the term bioinformatics in the 1970s and is recognised for her pioneering theoretical and computational research on biological systems and evolution. Although officially retired, Paulien remains very active in both research and teaching. |
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EMBO Fellowship for Joana Dopp
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| Joana Dopp has been awarded an EMBO Fellowship to further investigate how zombie ant parasites reprogram the biological clock of their host. Her research aims to shed light on the connection between molecular interactions and circadian rhythms, and uncover new perspectives on host–parasite biology. This fellowship is an important recognition of her innovative work. Congratulations! |
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Veni grants for three UBC researchers
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| Three UBC researchers have been awarded Veni grants by the Dutch Research Council. Bastiaan von Meijenfeldt will investigate the ancient mystery of cellular membranes and will present his work at the upcoming UBC Symposium. Ana Pinheiro Lopes and Maarten Geurts also received Veni grants to advance their research. Congratulations! |
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Recent publications by UBC members |
In vitro processes alter the embryonic disc epigenome and transcriptome in the pre-implantation elongated bovine embryo
Biology of Reproduction, June 2025 Belen Rabaglino’s group Wound repair in plants guided by cell geometry Current Biology, Volume 35, Issue 16, 18 August 2025 Monica L Garcia Gomez’s group
Insect circadian plasticity as a proposed target for the expression of parasite extended phenotypes
npj Biological Timing and Sleep, 29, August 2025
Charissa de Bekker’s group
SyFi: generating and using sequence fingerprints to distinguish SynCom isolates
Microbial Genomics, Volume 11, Issue 9, 4 September 2025 Ronnie de Jonge’s group
Bacillus drives functional states in synthetic plant root bacterial communities
Genome Biology, 26, 9 September 2025 Ronnie de Jonge’s group
Breaking barriers in the sensitive and accurate mass determination of large DNA plasmids by mass photometry
Genome Biology, Volume 36, Issue 3, 9 September 2025
Albert Heck’s group
Genetic suppressors of the growth-immunity trade-off in the Arabidopsis salicylic acid-accumulating dmr6 dlo1 mutant
The Plant Journal, Volume123, Issue 6, September 2025
Guido van den Ackerveken’s group
SpliPath enhances disease gene discovery in case-control analyses of rare splice-altering genetic variants
Cell Reports Methods, 17 September 2025
Kevin Kenna’s group |
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| Discover the future of bioinformatics at the UBC Symposium. This year's theme is Bioinformatics in the Age of AI. Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025, for inspiring keynote lectures, pitch talks, posters, and networking with the community. Registration is free, and we warmly invite you to submit a poster abstract (by Sunday 19 October, 23:59 CEST) to showcase your research and compete for a 150 euro prize. |
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| From 13 to 16 October 2025, Utrecht University's Faculty of Science hosts the FAIR-R and Open Data Week. Join knowledge sessions, workshops, panels, and the first UU Reproducibility Hackathon to strengthen your digital skills and explore FAIR-R (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, Responsible) and OPEN data practices. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, discuss challenges, and contribute to a culture of responsible and reproducible research. |
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BioSB HotTopics symposium: Microbial Ecology |
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