Workshop 3: Evolutionary Genomics, Single-cell and ATAC Sequencing

The third workshop of the HeatDDR Consortium, titled “Evolutionary Genomics, Single-Cell, and ATAC Sequencing,” was held in Ghent, Belgium, from May 11th to 13th, 2026. Hosted by the Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB) at the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), the event blended lectures with practical training in computational biology. It equipped doctoral researchers with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in advanced bioinformatics techniques.

The workshop explored three key themes: single-cell RNA sequencing, evolutionary and comparative genomics, and ATAC-sequencing.

On the first day, the focus was on single-cell RNA sequencing, covering the fundamentals of single-cell technologies and the latest advancements in plant single-cell RNA-seq dataset generation and analysis. Lectures were delivered by Thomas Eekhout and Freya Persyn from the de Veylder lab, followed by a tour of PSB’s facilities.

The second day, organized for us by the Vandepoele lab, featured lectures by Klaas Vandepoele and Michiel Van Bel. They introduced PLAZA, a plant-focused online resource for comparative, evolutionary, and functional genomics. The session offered students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the platform’s founder, gaining valuable insights.

The third day centered on ATAC-sequencing, with lectures by Cécile Raynaud (coordinator of the Doctoral Network) and Xing Ma from the Chromosome Dynamics lab at the Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay. The training provided participants with a clear understanding of ATAC-seq and practical experience in data analysis workflows.

Beyond the scientific program, the workshop encouraged informal exchanges. Doctoral candidates shared meals, including a dinner together, and enjoyed a guided boat tour through Ghent’s canals, fostering both professional and personal connections.

Overall, the event successfully merged theoretical learning with practical application, enriching the training of HeatDDR doctoral candidates and strengthening collaboration within the consortium.