Lyon 1, co-organiser of a symposium on the neuromuscular system in Padua (Italy)

This symposium, organised in the framework of the Arqus Alliance with the involvement of the universities of Lyon 1 and Padova, aimed to bring together scientists working on different topics in the context of the neuromuscular system (e.g. calcium, mitochondria, autophagy, gene regulation, tissue repair and homeostasis).

Following a call for oral and poster communications launched in March 2023, more than 40 abstracts were received; a success for this first edition.

Professor Stephano Schiaffino, one of the key stakeholders in the field, was the guest of honour at the event. He opened the symposium with a very inspiring lecture for the young researchers in the audience.

One of the objectives of this event was also to stimulate scientific exchanges in order to enlarge research networks, to collaborate with new partners and to increase scientific visibility as well as the possibility to receive financial support through joint proposals (from the European Union or the PRCI programme of the ANR for example).

In addition, the symposium was an excellent opportunity to present the "MuSkLE" initiative (part of the SFRI led by the University of Lyon 1) to the participants, in particular the 2nd edition of the Summer school which will take place from 25 to 30 June 2023. It also promoted other scientific events that could further increase exchanges between Arqus Alliance scientists such as:

• The 11^th Scientific Days on Autophagy organized by F. Strappazzon (CR, CNRS Lyon) and C Kretz (Prof of Lyon1 university) at Lyon next November (8^th -10^th November 2023), a meeting that will focus on autophagy, a crucial process for muscle homeostasis;
• The 20^th “Journées de la Société Française de Myologie” in la Baule (15^th- 17^th November 2023);
• The EMBO Workshop 2024 “Skeletal Muscle Development, Metabolism, and Repair during Homeostasis and Disease” organized by R. Mounier (DR, CNRS Lyon) and M Sandri (Prof of University of Padua) in April 2024 in Sicily.

During the symposium, the participants had the chance to be hosted by the Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine and to discover Italian gastronomy - Spritz, cheese and cold cuts - thanks to the support of the Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo. They also had the opportunity to visit the Palazzo Bo (Palazzo del Bo in Italian), the historical seat of the University of Padua since 1493. It houses the oldest anatomical theatre in the world.

Thanks to the support of Arqus, the participants from Lyon were able to rent a bus and travel to Padua together in a joyful and friendly atmosphere. Discover their stay in the video below: