AcES² 2027

We were thrilled to host the Aachen Protein Engineering Summer School (AcES² 2025), giving participants the chance to deepen their understanding of modern protein engineering and discover new methodological approaches. Early-career researchers and newcomers explored an intensive program combining lectures, computational workshops, and hands-on laboratory sessions, with a focus on enzyme optimization and protein design. A key goal of the Summer School was to closely link theory and practice, enabling participants to apply computational tools directly to experimental questions. This hands-on approach provided a comprehensive view of how proteins can be designed and optimized for both research and industrial purposes. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all lecturers and mentors — their expertise and dedication were crucial in making the program a success: Marno Gurschke, Prof. Dr. Björn Usadel, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schwaneberg, Dr. Lilin Feng, Max Ruschmeier, Eric Gemmell Gorriz, Atul Kumar, Nicolas de la Vega Guerra, Dr. Patrick Bakkes, Chiara Nenninger, Lutz Stütgens, und Christian Simons. Initiatives like AcES² continue to support scientific exchange and professional development in biotechnology, helping to equip the next generation of researchers with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

The Aachen Protein Engineering Summer School brought together talented participants from Europe for an immersive learning experience. Throughout the week, attendees had the incredible opportunity to engage with cutting-edge topics in the field, including enzyme discovery, bioinformatics, and protein engineering. They not only listened to insightful lectures but also gained hands-on experience in computational protein analysis and wet lab protein engineering experimentation. 🧬🔬 We hope that participants enjoyed their stay in Aachen, including a wonderful dinner, a captivating city tour, and the delightful taste of Aachener Printen. 🍽️🏙️ These experiences not only expanded their knowledge but also showcased the rich culture and hospitality of our beautiful city. We can’t wait to see the innovations and breakthroughs that these brilliant minds will bring to the world in the future. 🌐💡 We want to thank Prof. Björn Usadel, Prof. Ulrich Schwaneberg, Prof. Wolfgang Streit, Daniela Herrera Toro, and Lilin Feng for their interesting lectures. We extend our special thanks to Nicolas de la Vega Guerra and Marian Bienstein for their dedicated efforts in leading the computational training sessions. Additionally, we express our gratitude to Dr. Patrick Lenz and Anna Joelle Ruff for their invaluable support during our hands-on laboratory training.