We are pleased to announce that the applications for the EMBO Workshop entitled "Stem cell mechanobiology in development and disease"  which will be held in Capri from 18 to 21 October 2015 are open. To apply please visit the website: events.embo.org.

The workshop will highlight new advances in mechanobiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field of science at the interface of biology and engineering, with a particular focus on how it controls stem cell behaviour and morphogenesis/development, and how its defects lead to disease state. Cell mechanics and mechanobiology are promising great potential toward the development of more effective therapies in the coming years as well as toward the development of novel screening platforms. Both technical and conceptual approaches to the study of "mechanobiology" are progressing, indicating that this will be a timely topic in 2015.

The purpose of this Workshop is to encourage a multidisciplinary group of investigators to conceive innovative approaches to understand biological function and to pave the way towards the translation of mechanobiological concepts in clinics and in biotechnological applications. In particular, topics will focus on the effects of mechanotransduction on the development of specific physiologic and pathologic contexts, such as cell differentiation, tissue and organ morphogenesis along with tumor establishment and progression. Particular attention will be given to covering epigenetics, cytoskeleton and nuclear architectures in physiological and pathological contexts, looking at emerging strategies resulting from synergic collaborations of engineers and cell biologists.

Travel grants will be available for students and postdocs.