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Michael Sars Symposium

Every year, the Michael Sars Centre welcomes local and international researchers for a day-long symposium adressing current topics in evolutionary biology. 

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Michael Sars Symposium 2025

The Michael Sars Symposium 2025 will take place on June 5, 2025 at Media City Bergen. More information to come soon!

About the Michael Sars Centre

Photo of High Technology Centre
Photo:
Rory Sagstad

The Michael Sars Centre at the University of Bergen, is an international community of scientists using advanced technologies to study the unique molecular and cellular biology of marine organisms in a changing environment, for broad societal impact. The Michael Sars Centre focuses on excellent basic research and training in the broad field of Marine Life Sciences ranging from molecular, cellular, and developmental biology to neuroscience, genomics, systems biology, and evolution. 

Our scientists deploy diverse and cutting-edge techniques and approaches including custom-made animal cultures, electron and light microscopy, quantitative image analysis, genome editing, and genomics, including from single cells. As one of the first EMBL partners, the internationally connected Michael Sars Centre is rooted in the Bergen academic community and serves as a national strategical asset for Norwegian marine life sciences. We aim to establish, strengthen, and leverage local, national, and international networks through specific activities, including collaborative research, joint training, and scientific exchange.

About Bergen

Ciona gathering
Photo:
Melanie Burford

As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture nestled between fjords and mountains, Bergen has the ideal combination of nature, culture and exciting urban life year-round. The city is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, the offshore petroleum industry and subsea technology, and a vibrant hub for marine research.

Bergen is located in a typical West Norwegian landscape with high mountains, fjords, bays, and thousands of small and large islands and skerries. The rich diversity of animals encountered on the Bergen coast effectively complements the in-house aquaculture facilities, thus broadening the scope of research projects that can be implemented at the Centre.

Contact

Do you have a question about the Michael Sars Symposium?
Contact us at : outreach@sars.uib.no

What previous speakers say about the Michael Sars Symposium
 

“I was delighted to have participated in this conference. The organisers should be congratulated for putting together such a fascinating and diverse programme which no doubt reflects the unique nature of the scientific research being conducted in Bergen. I also very much appreciated the memorable guided tour of the facility where each group took the time to introduce their model species to us. ”
- Dr. Kirsty Wan, University of Exeter, UK

“Amongst great science - I was just blown away by the focus on building great science facilities and scientists focused on animal care supporting marine science! In an era of embracing biodiversity – Michael Sars Centre, you are all leading the charge. Thanks for an inspirational trip.”
- Dr. Manu Prakash, Stanford University, USA

“It was really the diversity of biological approaches & models that made this meeting an absolute treat. It was just the perfect balance of talks being sufficiently diverse to avoid the boredom that sometimes arises at sectoral meetings, while at the same time leaving sufficient common ground so that basically all presentations were understandable & interesting for the entire audience.”
- Dr. Maximilian Fürthauer, Institut de Biologie Valrose, France