Education & EAA Schools
2nd EAA-NYRA School of Transcriptomics in Male Germ Cells
18–22 January 2027, Madrid, Spain
Organisers: The School is organised by the Network of Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA) and the European Academy of Andrology (EAA).
Following the success of the first EAA-NYRA School in Omics of male germ cells held in 2025 in Copenhagen in collaboration with ANDRONET Cost Action, the second EAA-NYRA School will again provide an intensive, hands-on training program designed for early-career researchers working in andrology, reproductive biology and male germ cell research.
About the School
The testis is an extremely complex organ, containing a highly diverse population of somatic and germ cells that undergo dramatic changes throughout spermatogenesis. Understanding this cellular complexity requires advanced transcriptomic approaches, including bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). However, effectively applying transcriptomic technologies to reproductive biology requires not only an understanding of experimental approaches, but also practical skills in bioinformatic analysis, data interpretation and visualization.
The EAA-NYRA School aims to bridge this gap by providing participants with a combination of state-of-the-art lectures, practical computer-based sessions and interactive discussions, with a particular focus on applications in male reproductive biology and testicular research.
Faculty: Dr. Lena Arévalo, Dr. Chloé Mayere, Dr. Sara Di Persio
Registration fees*
EAA Members: €400
Non-EAA Members: €500
*Registration fee includes full attendance at the entire course program, including lunches and coffee breaks.
Due to the school’s limited capacity, only 15 attendees will be selected on a first–come, first–served basis.
Register here before November 29th, 2026.
Program
Over five intensive days, participants will be introduced to key concepts and practical approaches in transcriptomics, including:
- Introduction to transcriptomic approaches in reproductive biology
- Experimental design and considerations for RNA-seq studies
- Bulk RNA-seq data analysis, from quality control to differential gene expression
- Data visualisation and interpretation
- Single-cell RNA sequencing and analysis
- Cell clustering and identification of cell populations
- Marker gene identification
- Cell-type-specific gene expression analysis
- Trajectory and differentiation analysis
- Interpretation of transcriptomic data in the context of spermatogenesis and testicular biology
- Common challenges and troubleshooting in transcriptomic analysis
- Practical exercises using real datasets
The program will combine theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions, allowing participants to directly apply the concepts and analytical approaches discussed during the school.
Who should attend?
The school is aimed primarily at PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and early-career scientists working in the field of Andrology (Male reproductive biology, spermatogenesis, Testis biology, Reproductive medicine, Molecular and cell biology, genomics and transcriptomics).
Participants with limited previous experience in transcriptomic data analysis are particularly welcome. The School is designed to provide a structured introduction while offering opportunities for participants with previous experience to further develop their analytical skills.
What will participants gain?
By the end of the School, participants will have gained:
- Hands-on experience with commonly used approaches for bulk and single-cell RNA-seq analysis.
- The ability to assess, analyze and interpret transcriptomic datasets relevant to male reproductive biology.
- Experience generating and interpreting publication-quality visualizations, (heatmaps, volcano plots and other approaches for exploring gene expression data).
- A better understanding of how transcriptomic approaches can be used to investigate cellular processes, spermatogenesis and disease mechanisms in the testis.
- Practical knowledge that can be transferred directly to participants' own research projects.
Networking and collaboration
The School will provide an opportunity for early-career researchers from different countries and research backgrounds to meet, exchange ideas and establish new collaborations.
The first NYRA-EAA-ANDRONET School demonstrated the value of this interactive format: participants reported substantial improvements in their confidence and skills in both bulk and single-cell RNA-seq analysis, while the in-person environment fostered scientific exchange and new connections within the andrology community.
The Madrid School will continue this commitment to education, networking and community building among the next generation of researchers in andrology and reproductive biology.