Key facts

Format: Online preparatory phase + one-week on-site intensive programme

Online phase: starts on 18 May 2026

On-site week: 29 June – 3 July 2026

Location: Lyon, France

Credits: 3 ECTS

Working language: English

Participants: 27 students

Academic levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students

Student cohorts from: Maynooth University, University of Granada, University of Minho, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and University of Gdańsk

Host institution: Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Coordinator: Erwan Gueguen, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MAP

About the Programme

Microbes in Focus is dedicated to contemporary approaches in molecular microbiology. The course is built around the idea that microorganisms can be studied at multiple biological scales: from gene expression and genome engineering to microbial physiology, host interactions, environmental functions and biotechnological applications.

The programme provides students with a structured introduction to modern experimental and computational tools used in microbiology. Particular attention is given to the connection between molecular mechanisms and experimental design. Students are encouraged to understand not only what each method can reveal, but also why it is used, what its limitations are, and how it can be integrated into broader biological questions.

The online phase prepares students for the scientific content of the on-site week. The Lyon-based phase then combines lectures, laboratory practicals, computational training and scientific networking activities with researchers and teaching staff from the partner institutions.

The programme is coordinated by Erwan Gueguen (Associate Professor, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MAP) and brings together recognized experts from leading French research institutions affiliated with the Université de Lyon:

• MAP – Microbiology, Adaptation and Pathogenesis

• MMSB – Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry

• CIRI – International Center for Infectiology Research

• IGFL – Institute of Functional Genomics of Lyon

• LEM– Laboratory of Microbial Ecology

• LBTI – Laboratory of Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering

Our international collaborators from partner universities, including the Technical University of Madrid, the University of Granada, the University of Minho, the University of Gdańsk, Maynooth University, and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, as well as industry partners at Evotec, also contribute their expertise. 

Scientific Focus

The programme addresses several major themes in modern microbiology:

• Microbial genetics and functional genomics

• Gene expression and regulatory mechanisms

• CRISPR-based approaches and genome engineering

• qRT-PCR and molecular diagnostics

• LAMP-based detection of plant pathogenic bacteria

• Yeast and filamentous fungal genetics

• AlphaFold and protein structure prediction

• Host–microbe interactions and anti-phage systems

• Microbial ecology and environmental microbiology

• Plant microbiomes and ecosystem resilience

• Industrial microbiology and antibiotic discovery

Together, these topics provide an integrated view of microorganisms as experimental models, pathogens, symbionts, environmental actors and biotechnological resources.

Participating Student Cohorts

The 2026 edition brings together 27 recruited students from five European universities (Maynooth University, Ireland ; University of Granada, Spain ; University of Minho, Portugal ; Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain ; University of Gdańsk, Poland)

This international cohort structure is central to the pedagogical design of the BIP. Students will work in mixed international teams during the online phase and will continue interacting during the on-site programme in Lyon.