EMBO Workshop ‘D-amino Acid Research (IDAR2026) 23-26 August 2026 in Nice (France) organized by Agnes Banreti (iValrose) and Jean-Pierre Mothet MAE (Université Paris-Saclay). Prof. Mothet is member of the Physiology and Neuroscience Section of Academia Europaea since 2020.

This international and interdisciplinary meeting covers the most recent research on D-amino acids. Long overlooked, biologists have discovered that these mirror-image amino acids are conserved accross evolution and can be metabolized by metazoans including humans where they are now recognized to play vital roles in health and disease in many organs. The meeting brings experts from analytical chemistry, structural biology, metabolism, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology and translational medicine.

About the Workshop#

The study of molecular chirality in biology is undergoing a transformative shift. Traditionally, biological systems were thought to rely almost exclusively on L-amino acids; however, recent discoveries have revealed the presence and functional significance of D-amino acids across diverse organisms. These findings have uncovered roles for D-amino acids in fundamental physiological processes, including synaptic plasticity, immune modulation, microbiome interactions, and age-related protein modifications. Notably, the identification of protein-bound D-amino acids and their potential involvement in neurodegeneration and cancer represents a paradigm shift with profound implications for biomedical research.

As the only dedicated international forum on D-amino acid research, the International D-Amino Acid Research Conference (IDAR) provides a unique platform for the exchange of cutting-edge data, innovative methodologies, and emerging hypotheses. This EMBO Workshop will emphasize interdisciplinary integration, bringing together experts from structural biology, analytical chemistry, enzymology, neuroscience, immunology, and translational medicine. This collaborative approach is critical to addressing outstanding questions regarding the biosynthesis, function, and pathological consequences of D-amino acids.

In light of the rapid pace of discovery and the growing interest from the wider life sciences community, IDAR 2026 is both timely and essential. This EMBO Workshop will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, support the development of early-career researchers, and help shape the future trajectory of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.

EMBO travel grants and registration fee waivers are allocated.

Deadline for registration: May 15th, 2026.

For details, please visit: https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-d-amino-acid-1

Venue: Université Côte d’Azur Grand Château / Campus Valrose, 28 avenue de Valrose, 06103 Nice Cedex 2, France

Contact: 7thidar2026@gmail.com