OVERVIEW

Sex differences in Health and Disease Symposium 2026 is organized by European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) and will be held from Apr 27 - 30, 2026 at EMBL Advanced Training Centre, Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Description:
Sex differences range from distinct dimorphisms in appearance and physiology to behavior variations across males and females of the same species. These differences are numerous and varied and are often driven by combinations of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors.

These differences also appear in manifestations of infectious disease, ageing and age-related diseases (cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases). Response to treatments can also vary drastically between females and males. Despite these widespread differences between sexes observed across species, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and the topic has been vastly understudied.

This symposium will highlight topics including sex hormone regulation of health and immunity, genetic differences leading to disease, and mosaicism. We will convene leading scientists from various global regions to delve into topics like the molecular underpinnings of sexual dimorphisms, how sex hormones regulate sexually distinct phenotypes, and the role of sex differences in the context of metabolism, infections, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.

We aim to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue by bringing together researchers employing both traditional animal models and innovative approaches (organoids, biomaterials, 3D cultures, advanced bioinformatics analysis).

Session Topics: