Ri.MED Symposium
Palazzo dei Normanni
PALERMO, Sicily, Italy
OCTOBER
16>17 2025
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF
Engineering Biology for Next-Gen Medicine
The 2025 Ri.MED Scientific Symposium entitled “Engineering Biology for Next-Gen Medicine” will take place on October 16th and 17th, 2025 in Palermo, Italy.
This meeting will take place at Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Royal Palace of Palermo: its rooms tell the history of Sicily and will soon bring together a panel of internationally recognized researchers for an intimate and fun two-day meeting, to address how the new re-engineering biology opportunities affect the medical options of the future.
The development of technologies has made gene editing more precise and economical, and the integration of computational models and artificial intelligence allows scientists to predict the effect of genetic modifications and optimize the design of biological circuits. This opens up new perspectives for the design of synthetic organisms with specific functions and for medical applications. It is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field of research, integrating molecular biology, engineering, computer science and chemistry, bioinformatics with the aim of understanding and using biological systems in new and innovative ways.
Across the diverse subdisciplines of biochemical, biomedical, and chemical engineering, as well as synthetic biology, we ask: what new possibilities are emerging? How are recent technological advances—and the rise of artificial intelligence—reshaping our ability and confidence to design and manipulate biological systems for biomedical use? And how might these innovations influence medical practice, both in the near term and in the more distant future? To address these questions, we bring together speakers working on a wide range of systems, all united by a common goal: to rewire biological processes in pursuit of novel and impactful solutions.
The poster session and the social dinner will take place on Thursday 16 October in the beautiful Palazzo Fatta, a testament to Palermo’s aristocratic heritage.
Official language: english
Chairs of the Symposium
Tanja Kortemme
Vice Dean of Research; Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, UCSF
Ben Lehner
Professor, Head of Generative and Synthetic Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute
THE EMBO KEYNOTE LECTURE
Petra Schwille
Director, Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry; Honorary Professor, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich
Giulio Superti-Furga
Scientific Director, Ri.MED Foundation; Scientific Director, CeMM; Professor of Medical Systems Biology, Medical University of Vienna
Invited Speakers
Djenet Bousbaine
Postdoctoral Scholar, Bioengineering, Stanford University
Michael Bronstein
DeepMind Professor of AI, University of Oxford; Founding Scientific Director AI, Aithyra Institute
Gaetano Burriesci
Professor of Bioengineering at UCL and University of Palermo
Bruno Correia
Associate Professor, Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, EPFL
Antonio D’Amore
Group Leader in Tissue Engineering, Ri.MED Foundation; Full Professor, Dept. of Precision Medicine, University of Palermo; Associate Professor, Dept. Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh
Mo Ebrahimkhani
Associate Professor, Dep. of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Simone Giaveri
Scientist in Syntetic Biology, Ri.MED Foundation; Max Plank Institute
Possu Huang
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, Stanford University
Tanja Kortemme
Vice Dean of Research; Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, UCSF
Ben Lehner
Professor, Head of Generative and Synthetic Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Wendell Lim
Byers Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology; Director, Cell Design Institute, UCSF
Maria Lluch-Senar
Principal Investigator, Autonomous University of Barcelona
Petra Mela
Full Professor, Chair of Medical Materials and Implants, Technical University of Munich
Randall Platt
Associate Professor, Dept. of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH; Associate Professor, University of Basel; Investigator, Botnar Research Center for Child Health; Investigator, NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering
Petra Schwille
Director, Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry; Honorary Professor, Ludwig-Maximilians–University, Munich
Francesca Spagnoli
Professor of Regenerative Medicine, Guy’s Campus, King’s College
Pierre Stallforth
Professor, Department of Paleobiotechnology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI; Chair for Bioorganic Chemistry and Paleobiotechnology Friedrich Schiller, University Jena
Ana Teixeira
Principal Researcher, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet
Georg Winter
Principal Investigator, Chemical biology of oncogenic gene regulation, CeMM
Conference program
Abstract submission form
You are invited to submit by July 31st , 2025 using the submission form.
Each submission requires an abstract (max 100 words) and a summary (max 1000 words). The word limit for the summary does not include references; however, please do not include more than 5-10 references.
Authors will have the choice to request evaluation for short talk and/or poster format. The scientific committee of the Symposium will choose the best works to be presented as short talks during the Symposium and/or for the poster session.
The results of the scientific committee’s review will be communicated during the first week of September.
Registration form
| Registration | Fee |
|---|---|
|
Student registration |
€ 150,00 |
|
Early registration |
€ 300,00 |
|
Regular registration |
€ 350,00 |
Registration is closed (fully booked).
You can join the waiting list by sending an email to info@rimedsymposium.eu
If spots become available for the symposium, those who have sent a request email will be informed in the order received and will be sent a dedicated registration link.
The city of Palermo
Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where history, culture, and culinary traditions intertwine, reflecting the diverse civilizations that have influenced it over millennia.
With roots tracing back to Phoenician settlements, Palermo has been shaped by successive waves of Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences, each leaving a profound impact on its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Renowned for its rich tapestry of architectural styles, the city boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace. Visitors are captivated by its bustling markets, such as Il Capo, Vucciria, and Ballarò, which offer a sensory feast of local flavors and crafts. The city’s streets are adorned with Arab-Norman structures, baroque churches, and neoclassical theaters, each narrating a chapter of Palermo’s storied past.
Venues
Scientific Program Venue – Palazzo dei Normanni (Sala Piersanti Mattarella)
The Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Norman Palace, is one of Palermo’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic building, dating back to the 9th century, has served as a royal residence, a seat of power, and today houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The symposium’s scientific program will take place in the Sala Piersanti Mattarella, a prestigious hall within the palace that blends the grandeur of its historical setting with modern conference facilities. This distinguished venue offers a fitting atmosphere for discussions on cutting-edge advancements in engineering biology and next-generation medicine.
Poster Session and Social Dinner Venue – Palazzo Fatta
The poster session and social dinner on October 16th will be hosted at Palazzo Fatta, a refined 18th-century palace situated in the heart of Palermo’s historic center. Overlooking Piazza Marina, this elegant venue is characterized by its neoclassical architecture, spacious interiors, and timeless charm. Palazzo Fatta provides an intimate yet sophisticated setting for scientific networking, encouraging engaging discussions in a more informal atmosphere.
Venues location
Both Palazzo dei Normanni and Palazzo Fatta are situated in Palermo’s historic center, a lively and culturally rich district renowned for its Arab-Norman architecture, baroque churches, and bustling markets. The Norman Palace stands on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the city, while Palazzo Fatta is nestled near the seafront, in one of Palermo’s most picturesque squares. Their proximity to key landmarks, restaurants, and cultural sites makes them not only ideal venues for the symposium but also gateways to experiencing the city’s unique blend of history and modernity.
Reaching the venues
Reaching Palazzo dei Normanni from Palermo’s Historic Center
Palazzo dei Normanni is located on Piazza Indipendenza, just a short distance from the heart of Palermo’s historic center, where most hotels and accommodations are situated. The palace is easily accessible on foot, with a 15–20 minute walk from major areas such as Piazza Marina, Quattro Canti, or Via Maqueda. The most direct route is along Via Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo’s historic main street, which leads directly to the palace. Along the way, participants will pass notable landmarks such as the Cattedrale di Palermo, offering an immersive introduction to the city’s rich architectural heritage. For those preferring public transportation, bus lines 104 and 108 provide a quick connection to Piazza Indipendenza, while taxis and rideshare services are also readily available, making the journey to the venue seamless.
Reaching Palazzo Fatta from Palazzo dei Normanni
Palazzo Fatta is conveniently located about 1.5 km from Palazzo dei Normanni, making it easily accessible on foot or by public transport. The most scenic walking route takes approximately 20 minutes, leading participants through the historic streets of Palermo. From Palazzo dei Normanni, exit onto Via Vittorio Emanuele, one of the city’s main arteries, and walk southeast toward Piazza Marina. This route allows attendees to enjoy Palermo’s vibrant atmosphere, passing landmarks such as the Quattro Canti and the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi. Alternatively, a short taxi ride (around 5-7 minutes) can take you directly to the venue.
How to reach Palermo
1. Public Transportation:
a. Bus Services:
The Prestia e Comandè bus service operates regular routes between Palermo Airport and the city center. Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.
- Route: Board the bus at the airport and disembark at Via Roma 265 (Vucciria).
Tickets can be purchased online or at the airport for 6,00 € (Prestia e Comandè website).
b. Train Services:
The Trenitalia train from Palermo Aeroporto to Palermo’s central station is another convenient option. Trains run every 30 minutes (or 60 minutes on saturday and sunday), with a journey time of about 50 minutes.
- Route: Board the train at the airport and disembark at Palermo Palazzo Reale-Orleans Station.
Tickets are available at the station or online for 6,80 € (Trenitalia website).
2. Private Transfers:
Private transfers provide a direct and comfortable way to reach your hotel.
- Service: Book a private transfer from Palermo Airport directly to your hotel.
- Cost: Prices vary but typically range between €40–€60.
- Booking: Available through platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide.
3. Taxi Services:
Taxis are readily available at Palermo Airport, with a fixed fare to the city center.
- Estimated fare: Approximately €45–€50.
- Duration: 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Tips: Always confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.
TAXI SHARING
Two platforms are located at the arrivals area for the taxi sharing cars.
The platforms and the cars may be easily recognized.
The price of 10 euro per passenger and it will be applied only with a minimum of 4 users.
The service is provided by the Coop Trinacria (reservations: www.6878.it/taxi-sharing or Whatsapp +39 331-4296956) and by the Coop Autoradio (reservations: www.taxi-palermo.com/taxi-sharing-palermo, or +39 091-8481 or Whatsapp +39 331-3284403).
4. Car Rentals:
If you prefer to drive, car rental agencies operate directly from the airport. This option offers flexibility for exploring Palermo and the surrounding areas.
- Providers: Major companies like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar.