Coordinators: Francesc Gòdia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ES) and Paula Alves (iBET and ITQB Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, PT)
Applications are open!
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
After the interest received by the previous editions and the excellent feed-back from all the attendants, the 15th edition of the ACT course will be organized by the ESACT (European Society for the Advancement of Cell Technology) again in 2025. ESACT is presenting this activity as one more contribution to the community involved in the use of animal cells in Biotechnology and Biomedicine.
Course Topics
The course comprises lectures covering the main topics of Animal Cell Technology:
- Cell line development
- Cellular mechanisms
- Genomics and proteomics
- Post-translational modifications
- Bioreactor scale-up, scale down and single use bioreactor
- Downstream processing
- Integrated bioprocess for cell based vaccines
- Economical aspects of ACT bioprocesses
- Integrated bioprocess for protein production
- Integrated bioprocess for stem cells
- Industrial perspectives of ACT
Program
The program has slots dedicated to the preparation and presentation of case studies by participants, and discussion groups with the lecturers.
The full program of the course can be downloaded here (as of February 2025, topics may change):
Lecturers
Paula Alves
iBET and ITQB Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, portugal
Francesc Gòdia
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Nicole Borth
BOKU University Vienna, Austria
Manuel Carrondo
ITQB Nova lisboa, portugal
Stefanos Grammatikos
UCB, Belgium
Hansjörg Hauser
helmholtz center braunschweig, germany
Terry Papoutsakis
university of delaware, usa
Anne Tolstrup
AbtBioConsult, Hillerød, Denmark
Detailed Course Information
Organizing Committee
Paula Marques Alves
Animal Cell Technology Unit
IBET/ITQB Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Apartado 12
2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
Tel.: +351 21 4469421
E-mail: marques@ibet.pt
Francesc Gòdia
Departament d’Enginyeria Quimica, Biològica i Ambiental
Escola d’Enginyeria, Edifici Q
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 93 581 4790
E-mail: tac.bau@aidog.csecnarf
Contact for registration
Ms. Marie Groll & Ms. Marierose von Ledebur
Remember Management GmbH
E-mail: gro.tcase@eciffo
Application
Applications are open until 16 May 2025.
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
Registration Fee
The course fees for 2025 will be as follows:
1.250,00 EUR for participants of academia and 1.950,00 EUR for participants from industry.
The fee covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport (see the time schedule for the bus below). Participants have the possibility to be hosted in single room (limited to availability) at an extra cost of 250,00 EUR.
Bursaries
A limited number of bursaries covering the course fee are provided by ESACT and ACTIP. Priority will be given to young PhD students from academia, but ACTIP also has a number of bursaries for participants from industry.
Applicants for a bursary should indicate this on the course application, together with a statement of motivation.
Please note: The bursary covers only the course fee, not travel costs.
Travel Information
The course will be held in Hotel Terramar, a 3-star hotel (www.hterramar.com) in a small town named Llafranc in the heart of Costa Brava, Girona, Spain.
The hotel is right on a very nice sandy beach, providing a cosy and relaxing atmosphere for the participants. Weather in Llafranc at this time of the year is generally pleasant. Travel organization to the meeting is of participants responsibility, ensuring their participation to the full course. Access by road from Girona airport (30 min) or Barcelona airport (90 min) is suggested.
Important Note:
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organized on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organize your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm, and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Testimonials
“Cell technology meets coastal magic: an exceptional course.
Attending the 14th edition of the Animal Cell Technology Course 2024 in the inspiring atmosphere of the Costa Brava was an extraordinary experience and one of the best trainings of my career so far. […]”
Nicolas Schlosser
Product Manager Orbital Shaken Bioreactors (OSB)
FAQ
Application & Registration Procedure
How and when do I apply for the ESACT Courses?
- The ESACT courses take place every year. The application opens in January/February. After the deadline for applications, the course coordinators will evaluate, and acceptance decisions will be announced a few weeks after the application deadline.
- In a next step, all accepted applicants will receive an E-Mail with the link for registration.
Bursaries
How and when do I apply for an ESACT bursary?
You need to apply for a bursary during the application process. The bursary covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport.
Please note: the bursary does not cover travel costs.
VISA Application letter
Can you provide me with an invitation letter to apply for a VISA?
- We can assist you with your visa application. Please send us an email at your earliest convenience with the following information: Full name
- Country of residence
- Nationality
- Address
Information before departure
When will I receive detailed information about the course (how to get there, etc.)?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with all the information about the course schedule, he airport pick-up, transfer etc.
Transport from/to the Barcelona Aiport
How istransport organized from/to the Airport to the hotel in Llafranc?
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organized on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organize your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Coursebook
When will I receive the coursebook?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with important information before departure and a link to the course book, so that you can download it.
Overview
Date:
28 September – 2 October 2025
Application Deadline:
16 May 2025
Registration Fee:
Academia: 1.250,00 EUR
Industry: 1.950,00 EUR
Address:
Passeig de Cipsela 1
17211 Llafranc, Girona, Spain