What is it about
The Ocean Protist Biology Course (OPBC) is a one‑week, field‑based summer school dedicated to understanding the diversity, ecology, and single‑cell biology of marine protists. Hosted at the Station Biologique de Roscoff, it blends lectures, field sampling, and hands‑on laboratory training using state‑of‑the‑art single‑cell and molecular techniques.
What motivated this summer school
Marine protists are essential to ocean ecosystems yet remain one of the least understood groups of marine life. Rapid advances in single‑cell and molecular technologies have created an urgent need for specialised training that bridges fieldwork, microscopy, molecular tools, and modern data‑driven approaches—particularly for early‑career researchers entering this emerging field.
Main expected deliverables
- A cohort of early‑career scientists trained in modern protist biology and single‑cell methods
- Strengthened capacity to design and execute integrated field‑to‑lab research
- Expanded European and international networks in protistology An open‑access educational package (lectures, protocols, digital resources)
Who is it for
Participation will be through an open call circulated via EuroMarine, EMBRC Marine Training channels, and international academic networks. The course will host 20 participants, with at least 12 places reserved for EuroMarine member institutions. Financial support (excluding travel) will be provided to selected participants, with strong emphasis on diversity and inclusivity.
About
Marine protists—single-celled eukaryotes—are fundamental to ocean food webs, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem resilience, yet remain among the least understood components of marine biodiversity. Rapid advances in single-cell and molecular technologies are transforming the field, creating an urgent need for specialised training.
The Ocean Protist Biology Course (OPBC) is a one-week, field-based summer school designed to train early-career researchers in the diversity, ecology, and single-cell biology of marine protists. Hosted at the Station Biologique de Roscoff, the course combines lectures, field sampling, and hands-on laboratory practicals using state-of-the-art methodologies.
Key Objectives
- Provide advanced training in marine protist diversity, cell biology, and ecology
- Train participants in cutting-edge single-cell approaches (flow cytometry, microscopy, molecular tools)
- Foster inquiry-driven research through thematic mini-projects
- Build interdisciplinary and international networks among early-career researchers
Expected Outcomes
- A new cohort of early-career scientists trained in modern protist biology and single-cell techniques
- Enhanced capacity to design and conduct field-to-lab research projects
- Strengthened European and international research networks in protistology
- An open-access educational package including lectures, protocols, and digital resources
Expected Impact
OPBC fills a critical training gap in an emerging field central to understanding ocean biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and climate change responses. By equipping early-career researchers with rare and highly transferable skills, the course strengthens Europe’s capacity in marine microbial eukaryote research and supports long-term innovation in ecology, evolution, and blue biotechnology.
Registration
Participation will be through an open call circulated via EuroMarine, EMBRC Marine Training channels, and international academic networks. The course will host 20 participants, with at least 12 places reserved for EuroMarine member institutions. Financial support (excluding travel) will be provided to selected participants, with strong emphasis on diversity and inclusivity.