2nd Nordic Summer School on
Computational Microbiome Research

Welcome to Tartu!

The summer school will take place 27–28 August 2026
in Tartu, Estonia

We are excited to announce the second installment of the bi-annual training and networking event for microbiome researchers from nordic countries and beyond. This year’s program’s topics include functional profiling, longitudinal modeling, ecological models and population modeling.

The programme consists of lectures and discussion (not hands-on exercises). We expect participants to have a basic proficiency in microbiome data analysis. In other words, this is not a tutorial course for beginners but rather intermediate/advanced training for researchers and trainees with at least some prior experience in computational microbiome research. On August 26, there will also be Microbiome session of Gene Forum. See more information below.

Speakers

  • Rob Knight (UC San Diego, USA)
  • Jeroen Raes (KU Leuven, BE)
  • Jingyuan Fu (University of Kroningen, NL)
  • Harri Lähdesmäki (Aalto University, FI)
  • Ilze Elbere (Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV)
  • Tom Hitch (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, CN)

Organizers

  • Elin Org (University of Tartu)
  • Oliver Aasmets (University of Tartu)
  • Leo Lahti (University of Turku)
  • Matti Ruuskanen (University of Turku)
  • Tommi Vatanen (University of Helsinki)

Attendance fee 250* EUR (includes lunch, coffee, social program, does not include accommodation)

We warmly welcome you to the distinctive atmosphere of the beautiful city of Tartu!

*The fee is waived for doctoral students in Estonian universities.

 

Gene Forum

We would also like to invite you join the 25th International Gene Forum, which will take place right before the summer school on August 25-26 at Estonian National Museum, Tartu, Estonia.

As the leading annual genetics and genomics conference in the Baltics, Gene Forum brings together leading experts from Europe and the USA to discuss the latest advances in genomics, precision medicine, population genetics, microbiome research, and related fields. This special 25th anniversary edition will feature a dedicated day led by Professor Andres Metspalu, founder of the Estonian Biobank, with internationally renowned speakers exploring the future of healthcare genomics. The conference will also include scientific sessions, networking opportunities, and a poster session for students and early-career researchers.

More information, see: https://geneforum.ee/

Programme
Application & Registration
General info
Speakers