Bringing Biology students together since 1997

Slovakia, 2024 — Bratislava

In 2024, Slovakia hosted SymBioSE for the first time in its 27-year-long history! Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and biggest city gathered 45 participants from 18 European countries. Participants presented their scientific results in the form of oral presentations, posters, and workshops. In addition, they had a chance to hear presentations from invited speakers who talked about carnivorous plants, mosquitoes and the threat that they pose to the human population, as well as evolutionary-conserved mechanisms that govern cell fate specification in land plants.

Participants got to know the heart of the town during the city tour and the beauty of nature surrounding the city during the excursion to Sandberg and Devínska Kobyla. In addition, participants competed in the first SymBioSE orienteering run, which was a huge success.

Slovenia, 2023 — Koper (Istria)

First time in its history, SymBioSE was organised in Slovenia! Organisers from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia and Russia did not disappoint the participants to get a feeling of the slovenian and istrian culture with a lot of interesting trips around this beautiful country. The conference brought together 75 participants from 24 different countries and 26 different faculties and institutions. Participants gave 36 oral presentations, 13 posters, 6 workshops and 2 guest lectures.

Besides the rich programme, the event was highlighted by the treasure hunt, where young enthusiasts learned about Slovenia and Slovenian Istria. For a comprehensive experience, attendees explored the wonders of the Triglav National Park, where unforgettable adventure awaited them, alongside the natural wonders of the area (Tolmin Gorges, Virje Waterfall, Trenta,..). In addition, participants went to the Archaeological Park San Simon and Innorenew Coe in Izola and the Aquarium Piran, concluding the week full of new knowledge and moments with a concert of Piran Wind Orchestra and Bend-it! Orchestra big band.

Abstract booklet: https://www.symbiose-europe.org/symbiose-2023-slo-abstract-booklet

Germany, 2022 — Freiburg

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Portugal, 2021 — Almada (online)

After the successful event in 2016, SymBioSE returned back to Portugal! Unfortunately the pandemic still forced us to meet online but everyone was enthusiastic to make the event as memorable as possible. The organising team did not disappoint the participants to get a feeling of the portugese culture with a lot of videos from this beautiful country. Also, the keynote presentations were very rich and covered topics from Molecular Nutrition, over Marine Biology and Parasitology of Malaria. We were also able to get a glimpse of all the interesting topics our symbionts (a participant of SymBioSE) are doing research in and were able to listen to amazing oral presentations, poster presentations and workshops.

Netherlands, 2020 — Groningen (online)

In 2020, for the first time ever, SymBioSE, was delivered to the participants through online channels. The team did an amazing job to prepare everything, but sometimes there are things that nobody can control, like worldwide pandemic. However, this didn’t effect the spirit and SymBioSE went on. The organisors did not disappoint to show us all the beautiful sites of the Netherlands virtually and we had a lot of interesting keynote lectures, even one from a former participant of SymBioSE!

Scotland, 2019 — Glasgow

Up north we go! After arriving in Glasgow we headed staight into nature in the beautiful surroundings of the city. The amazing organisors from this years event found a wonderful place to stay for us where we could happily share our passion about biology, cook together, explore nature in our free time and spend the evenings together at the bonfire. On excursions, we were able to expore beautiful Loch Lomond and the stunning city of Glasgow. For the first time ever, an Alumni Event was introduced and we were able to get to know participants from former SymBioSE event. To top everything off, we even learned Ceilidh! A huge thanks goes out to the organisors, thank you for everything!

Croatia, 2018 — Zagreb

After 14 years, SymBioSE came back to Croatia. The scientific part of the program was quite intense, with student presentation, keynote lectures, and workshops provided by the scientists of the University of Zagreb. The excursions to Medvdenica, Krapina Neanderthal Museum, and Plitvice Lakes National Park allowed us to experience the unique nature of Croatia.

“It's not often that I can say I had the time of my life, but this was one of those cases! SymBioSE offered me so much on so many levels and I'm already looking forward to next summer! I'm so lucky to have met such an amazing bunch of interesting people and promising scientists!”

“I always thought that feeling like a part of a European community could be beneficial in so many ways but even though I liked the idea I never really had that feeling for myself. This was the first time I truly felt connected in this way and I want to thank you all so much for that. Even though it was also exhausting at times I felt like that also brought us closer together and I wouldn't want to miss that for the world. It's gonna be weird adjusting to normal life after this again but hopefully we will see each other again in Scotland or even before that, too.”

Sweden, 2017 — Lund

For the 20th anniversary, SymBioSE was hold for the first time in Sweden. During 7 days 60 participants from 15 different countries stayed in Lund and enjoyed biology, culture and friendship.

We had a packed schedule with several keynote lectures, interesting student presentations and inspiring workshops. During a 1-day excursion we went to Kullaberg, a nature reserve in the north of Skåne. There the true spirit of SymBioSE shined through, as not even the rain could stop the enthusiasm of all participants to explore this nice place.

Portugal, 2016 — Vila Real

After 1998 and 2008, SymBioSE came back to Portugal in 2016! We met in Portugal, were we had a great trip to the ozeanium, and then we went up north to Vila Real. In this student city we had amazing student presentations and lots of fun during the country presentations. This years SymBioSE focused on the importance of networking, and we got encouraged to mix with all the participants.

Greece, 2015 — Alexandroupoli

After two hard years for SymBioSE, we saw each other again in Alexandroupoli, Greece. It was an emotional reunion and welcome for all old and new SymBionts, and the spirit of SymBioSE was back as never something happened. During a treasure hunt we saw the beautiful city and learnt how to fish. We had great student presentations, did excursions to the surrounding areas and visited greek ruins.

Ukraine, 2014

2014 SymBioSE was suppose to be held in Ukraine. The team did an amazing job to prepare everything, but sometimes there are things that nobody can influence. Due to safety reasons after the civil war, the organiser decided to cancel SymBioSE 2014.

England, 2013 — Sheffield

In 2013 SymBioSE was held in Sheffield, UK. This year was a short SymBioSE, only a few days and with fewer participants than usual. However, this didn’t effect the spirit and SymBioSE went on.

Hungary, 2012 — Szeged

“Hot, Hotter, Hungary… From the first day we arrived in Hungary we had extreme temperature, often more than 40°C. However, this didn’t stop us to have an amazing time in Hungary. We started in Szeged, were we had a treasure hunt, gave presentations and workshops. We visited a recycling company, and enjoyed the zoo. In the middle of SymBioSE we then packed our things in Szeged and travelled to Gödölö, which is slightly outside Budapest. On the way we stopped in Opusztaszer, a heritage village.

In this years SymBioSE we were assigned to different colours/hungarien gods, and we already had task to fulfil in our group before SymBioSE started. Like this we already got to know people before hand, which made it easier for the new SymBionts.”

Switzerland, 2011 — Basel

“We were welcomed in Basel by organizers and little helpers who tried their best to make 15th SymBioSE unforgettable – and they most certainly did! This was the first time SymBioSE was organized in Switzerland – paradise for hikers, chocolate and cheese lovers.
During the Symposium we enjoyed many keynote talks from invited professors and experts in the field of biology and student presentations where we learned about new trends in biology. During the breaks in between lectures we enjoyed many eye-pleasing student posters and we were given a chance to participate in student workshops where we could discuss biology, sometimes even beyond the boundaries of biology. We made the most of our free time by going to educational, relaxing and fun excursions.
The most crucial part of the experience is making long-lasting friendships with open-minded, energizing, ambitious and fun people that for once will not look at you like you just came from Mars because you are interested in Green mould disease or the inhibition of cell proliferation by a microRNA molecule. With Symbionts I felt like “home”.”

Turkey, 2010 — Eskişehir

“It was the 14th Symposium and it was great! We saw many interesting presentations, had a lot of parties, ate loads of delicious Turkish meals, and visited Bursa. We were swimming in the sea, dancing and singing with our bus driver. Finally, we found out who was Atatürk and what does “Turkish hospitality” mean. Have I already said that it was great?

We started in Eskişehir, at Anadolu Üniversitesi with lectures, excursions and Treasure Hunt game. Here we obtained some basic communicational skills by trying to get as many wishes in Turkish from people on the street as possible and learned some important milestones of Turkish history. Having enjoyed Bilim Sanat ve Kültür Parkı, we moved to Kızılay Atatürk Gençlik Kampı towards learning Turkish forest, more excursions, beautiful night sky, and, of course, student and country presentations, workshops and… amazing food!
How fast time flies! Let’s meet again in Switzerland in 2011?  ”
P.S. Thanks to organizers for doing their job so good!

Russia, 2009 — Kazan

“According to the organizers of the symposium, it is a very important event for young scientific elite in terms of not just getting new knowledge, but choosing ways of further research, familiarizing with experience of foreign colleagues, European culture and traditions.

Participants of SymBioSЕ 2009 also get acquainted with culture of Russian and Tatar people. A vast and very interesting entertaining program has been specially developed for such a large-scale forum. Young biologists enjoyed the performance of the widely known in Tatarstan folklore ensemble “Karavon”, learned Russian round dance (khorovod), various national games, familiarized with Tatar national cuisine – chak-chak, talkysh-kaleve, etc.

According to KSU Rector, Myakzyum Salakhov, the agenda of symposium is quite extensive, ranging from the physiology of plants up to the comprehension of a surprising variety of flora and fauna.”

Portugal, 2008 — Coimbra

The main emphasis of the programme was the Past and Future of Biology. A number of presentations, workshops and round tables provided a better understanding of the evolution of biology in Europe and in Portugal and an opportunity to disseminate and discuss the recent achievements made in biology and their implementations and implications to the society of today.

The first five days of the symposium were held in Coimbra, which possess one of Europe’s oldest universities, a city overflowing with tradition and history; then, in the sixth day, there was a full day excursion to the Berlenga Island, a nature reserve to get in contact with island ecology. The rest of the symposium toke place in Aveiro a more recent city which holds a very modern university that rapidly became one of the most dynamic and innovative universities of Portugal. The historical differences between the two universities enhanced the reflection about the past and future and, at the same time, shed light on how the two different university traditions contribute to science.

Latvia, 2007

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2007 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Latvia!

Italy, 2006

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2006 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Italy!

Finland, 2005

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2005 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Finland!

Croatia, 2004

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2004 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Croatia!

Norway, 2003

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2003 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Norway!

Germany, 2002 — Freiburg

Unfortunately our website did not exist back in the 2002 - if you happen to be an organisor or participant from this event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and tell us about your SymBioSE expericence in Germany!

Spain, 2001

“Well, not quite, but still, it was hot even during the night, sometimes the beach seemed to be burning, at least when you set your foot on the sand. We should discuss the fog, I think there wasn’t any, but I’m pretty sure, that some people had the impression the world was turning after several cups of Sangria or vino fresco or whatever you want to call it. We saw shooting stars, yes, we did! And there were definitely people with trembling hands some time during this great meeting!
Apart from these little but important details, it has definitely to be mentioned that we saw a great deal of the south-eastern part of Spain. Fascinating coastlines, nice Spanish cities with their cultural heritage from the Moores to today, and not to forget El Almendrico’s pool and Granada’s tapas bars! And I guess hardly anybody got back from the trip to Mar Menor without a sunburn.
The evenings were more than once packed with intense discussions about the future of SymBioSE, and during the Delegate’s Assembly written versions of the framework and the objectives have been put together.
This year’s discussions and lectures covered mainly ecological topics, like “Artificial Reefs” and “Microbial Ecology” and many of them were enriched by excursions to actually see what we had previously learned. Lectures were held by Spanish professors from as far as La Coruna, which guaranteed an insight in the different regions and cultural varieties of this fascinating country. Further topics were: analytic microbiology, marine biology, paleontology, nutrition and the Mediterranean diet, anthropology and more.
Simply said: IT WAS GREAT!”

Scotland, 2000 — Edinburgh

“No! It didn’t rain when we arrived! Leaving our home country, everybody laughed at us, knowing we planned a trip to Scotland – our summer holiday! But arriving at Mortonhall camp site, some Scots comforted us, telling us that a day without rain wasn’t a Scottish day.
On Sunday, we got to know Edinburgh on the “Grand Pan-Edinburgh Treasure Hunt”. Fortunately, every group was accompanied by a local, so that the probability to get lost was quite low. Surprisingly, the team that was invited to have a meal for free in one of the pubs still didn’t come last.
During the upcoming week, there was a vast choice of lectures, excursions and discussions. The big excursions, both towards the west of the country, were certainly two main highlights. It is said that some folks even went swimming at Loch Lomond (has anybody taken pictures to prove this?). Some others had great fun being eaten by midges at Glencoe (by the way…who fought whom in the Battle of Glencoe?).
A consequence of staying at Edinburgh was the meeting with Dolly, the sheep, and Professor Wilmut, her creator. It was very interesting to hear about his point of view in the gene discussion, and I dare say, that in the end everybody had a much more refined idea of what’s really going on.
As in the preceding years, the so-called “fun part” of the programme was quite large. The “Big Bug Show” offered a variety of possibilities to get in touch with really nasty animals, live music in the marquee asked for dancing encouraged by the (traditional) Spanish Sangria, and the Ceilidh bid us farewell with dancing until midnight!”

The Netherlands, 1999 — Amsterdam

“Just before leaving for Amsterdam, the weather forecast was incredibly brilliant: sunshine from dawn until dusk, a hardly bearable heat wave had entered Europe. Then, on our way to Amsterdam, at Hengelo (the Dutch-German border crossing) we were surprised by a strange climate: drizzling rain, wind (of course, as we were approaching the North Sea), cold. When we arrived at the university campus of Amsterdam, a smiling crew of Dutch students welcomed us. We were led to a field right behind the university buildings. In less than two minutes, our feet were completely soaked (thanks to traditional German foot wear!). Nevertheless we started to build up our tents, accompanied by enthusiastic Portuguese chants and laughter.

During the following week, we had agreed to adopt this attitude, as the weather wouldn’t change. We learned how to clap our hands to nearly every song being played, had great fun participating in traditional witch hunting with Sangria (thank you Spain!). But apart from the so-called funny side of this symposium, the usual country meetings were held every evening. The most important point of this year was probably the future of SymBioSE, especially the co-operation with EBSF.”

Portugal, 1998 — Lisbon

After the success of Berlin ’97, the second symposium was held in Portugal. Between the 4th and the 12th of August 1998 over 100 biology students camped in the National Park of Arrabida, close to Lisbon. The combination of e.g. lectures on species abundances and aquatic ecology, workshops on the European otter and aromatic plants, excursions on speleology, dolphin observation, diving, visiting Lisbon and discussions about molecular techniques and the European Association of Biology Students made it a packed and diverse symposium. Participants remember the beach, Scottish dancing, Italian vodka drinking and much more made this second meeting a big success. In Portugal it was decided that Belgium and the Netherlands would organize SymBioSE ’99.

Germany, 1997 — Berlin

SymBioSE started as an initiative of the German Biology Student Association, with the aim of bringing European biology students closer together by creating a network of contacts. The first symposium was held during nine days in August 1997 in Berlin, and 120 students from 12 countries were present. SymBioSE’97 was very well organized and there were a lot of activities.