Venue: Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Building D, Auditorium D2
Day 1 Friday, December 13th, 2024
8:00 - 8:30 Registration
8:30 - 9:00 Opening Session
Welcoming remarks by organizers
Greeting by Prof. Eglantina Kalluci, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, and Prof. Valbona Aliko, Head of the Department of Biology, University of Tirana
9:00 - 9:30 Keynote
Anne Yaël Nossent, Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
The epitranscriptome in female cardiovascular health and disease
9:35-10:22 Invited Talks - Molecular & Human Biology
9:35-9:45 Martina Shahinas, University Grenoble Alpes, France.
In vitro production of cat-restricted Toxoplasma pre-sexual stages by epigenetic reprogramming.
9:47-9: 57 Melissa Basso, University of Surrey, UK.
Diet quality and anxiety: a critical overview with focus on the gut microbiome.
10:00-10:10 Nadezhda Todorova, University of Viena, Austria.
Microbial biomass associated with the human large intestine.
10:12-10:22 Veronika Vyletelová, Comenius University, Slovakia
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of astaxanthin's modulatory effects on inflammation-induced antioxidant and metabolic changes.
10:25-11:00 Poster session & Coffee break
Pieta Tasnim Kelsey, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Helicobacter pylori and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: The HUNT Study
Migena Nezha, University of Tirana, Albania
Current situation about Epstein–Barr virus infection from January to September 2024 in a group population in Albania
Melisa Meto, University of Tirana, Albania
Matrix Factorization Methods for Analyzing Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data in Glioblastoma: A Study of Cell Heterogeneity
Blerta Tabaku, University of Tirana, Albania
The Role of Cortisol in Stress and Metabolic Disorders: A Literature Review
Medina Hilaj, Western Balkans University, Albania
The Role of DNA methylation in the amyloid β plaques in Alzheimer’s disease
Erion Sukaj, Western Balkans University, Albania
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles - Erythrocyte Duet Interaction: Unveiling Concentration-Dependent ZnONPs Toxicity In Human Erythrocytes
Brunilda Mezani, Western Balkans University, Albania
Diagnosis of the Disorders of The Adrenal Medulla in Albanian Population
11:00-12:00 Contributed Talks - Molecular & Human Biology
11:00-11:10 Aleksi Sallo, University of Perugia, Italy
The Role of Vitamin D3 in Embryonic Hippocampal Cells
11:10-11:20 Rexhina Vlashi, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, China
The Molecular Role of Nf2/Merlin in Regulating Cartilage Homeostasis.
11:20-11:30 Klea Sinjari, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Mechanistic Study of Phase Separation of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
11:30-11:40 Flonja Gjino, University of Tirana, Albania
Trends in the prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and the results of births with chromosomal anomalies
11:40-11:50 Fabiola Noga, University of Medicine Tirana, Albania
Excipients in Pediatric Medicines: Evaluating Exposure and Potential Risks
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
13:00-13:40 Workshop
Improving science worldwide through open science
Alise Ponsero, PhD, Quadram Institute of Biosciences, UK.
13:40-14:10 Keynote
Edi Prifti, PhD, French Institute for Sustainable Development, France
Harnessing AI in Precision Health: Predictive Microbiome Analysis and ECG- Based Sudden Death Risk Assessment
14:15-15: 35 Invited talks - Computational Biology
14:15-14:25 Himmi Lindgren, University of Turku, Finland
Unsupervised learning techniques detect clinically relevant structure in human gut microbiota
14:27-14:37 João F. Carrilho, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal
Multi-omics biomarker selection and outlier detection across WHO glioma classifications via robust sparse multinomial regression
14:39-14:49 Maryna Chepeleva, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics for unraveling cancer progression
14:51-15:01 Ilaria Billato, University of Padova, Italy
Comprehensive Benchmarking of single-cell RNA-seq analysis workflows: evaluating scalability and concordance across R and Python environments
15:03-15:13 Xhoela Bame, Dartmouth College, US
Mitochondrial network reorganization and transient expansion during oligodendrocyte generation.
15:15-15:25 Kristi Buzo, University of Torino, Italy
Targeting replication stress to overcome resistance to EGFR blockade in colorectal cancer
15:25-15:50 Group photo & Coffee break
15:50-16:30 Workshop
Using Statistics and Computation to Better Understand Our Genes
Brooke N. Wolford, PhD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
18:00-20:00 Conference dinner
Networking
Day 2 Saturday, December 14th, 2024
8:00-8:30 Opening second day
8:30-9:00 Keynote
Valbona Aliko, Professor, University of Tirana, Albania
Bridging Disciplines: My Pathway from Hematology to AI-Driven Eco-Nanotoxicology
9:05-10:20 Invited talks - Molecular & Environmental Biology
9:05-9:15 Keisi Mecaj, KULeuven, Belgium
Suppression of IP 3 R-mediated Ca 2+ signals in cytosol and mitochondria by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 in HeLa cells
9:15-9:25 Iris Markja, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg, Germany
Unravelling a Hox generic function through analysis of Antp function in cell fate commitment
9:25-9:35 Erta Zykaj, Concordia University, Canada
A Humanized Yeast Model for Studying TRAPP Complex Mutations; Proof-of-Concept Using Variants from an Individual with a TRAPPC1-Associated Neurodevelopmental Syndrome
9:35-9:45 Lukas Fesenmeier, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Effects of smoking on human gut microbiome and associated immune system alterations
9:45- 9:55 Marilica Zemkollari, BOKU University, Austria.
Exploring Novel Glycosyltransferases from Mollusc Origin: Unravelling Molluscan Glycosylation Abilities and their Biotechnological Potential
10:00-10:10 Sonja Hoxha, University of Viena, Austria
Assessment of the self-purification capacities in the Vjosa River network
10:10-10:20 Artenisa Peculaj, University of Camerino, Italy
Microplastics study in Vlora Bay: an overview of the status quo for new environmental policies
10:20-10:30 Oresta Saliaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Urban Flora of Tirana and the Impact of Alien Species
R Package demo
10:30 - 11:10 Streamlining Omics Data Visualization with iSEE and iSEEfier
Najla Abassi, University of Mainz, Germany.
11:10-11:25 Poster session & Coffee break
Fiona Skënderi, Louna Nehlawi, Université de Lorraine, France
To what extent does the quest for an ideal body image, amplified by social media, push individuals to neglect their physical and mental health?
Shpetim Vata, University of Tirana, Albania
Algal bloom from Tirana Lake (October-November 2024)
Mirjan Topi, University of Tirana, Albania
First record of a flock of Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) during spring passage in Albania
Denada Dauti, University of Tirana, Albania
Assessment of the ecological condition of the Zeza River (Fushë-Krujë) through the SVAP Protocol, proposing alternatives for its naturalization
Denis Cahani, University of Tirana, Albania
A Summary Review on the Integration and Importance of Virtual Laboratories in Biological Education
Mirjan Topi, University of Tirana, Albania
Pre-migration gatherings of Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus) in Narta Lagoon, Albania
Mimoza Zepaj, University of Tirana, Albania
An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Teaching and Learning Biology
Aiselda Duraku, University of Tirana, Albania
Teaching the Endocrine System in Higher Secondary Education: An ICT- Based Approach
11:25-12:35 Contributed talks - Environmental Biology
11:25-11:35 Paola Xhelili, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania
Monitoring of AMR in water environments using qPCR: A review
11:35-11:45 Qemal Shehu, University of Tirana, Albania
Medicinal plants knowledge and uses in Albania: A brief review
11:45-11:55 Shpetim Vata, University of Tirana, Albania
Algae from the Vjosa River National Park
11:55-12:05 Klea Koci, University of Tirana, Albania
A Literature Review on the impacts of captivity on animal welfare: social, physical, and psychological effects
12:05-12:15 Ledi Selgjekaj, PPNEA, Albania
Breeding territory size of Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus) in Narta Lagoon, Albania
12:15-12:25 Viola Cova, University of Tirana, Albania
Ice in Motion: Modeling Longitudinal Variations in Sea Ice Extent Across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
12:25-12:35 Ferilda Sullillari, University of Tirana, Albania
The plant nutrition, its importance in nature and for humans, a view at the pre-university education
12:35-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-14:00 Keynote
Aleko Miho, Professor, University of Tirana, Albania
How to strengthen the friendly coexistence of man and nature, a challenge for Albania
14:00-14:40 Workshop
Environment and Sustainable Development
Ermelinda Mahmutaj, PhD, University of Tirana, Albania
14:40-14:50 Coffee break
14:50-15:30 Workshop
Promoting Well-Being in Doctoral Education and Beyond
Luisa Solms, PhD. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
15:30-16:30 Discussion panel: Careers in Biology
Panelists: Prof. Ferdinand Bego; Vezjana Nezha; Marilica Zemkollari, PhD, Najla Abassi, PhD cand.