From September 18th to September 22nd 2015 the EMBO conference „Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers“ was taking place in Cavtat, Croatia. More than 350 participants enjoyed five days of excellent scientific talks, networking and poster presentations in the stimulating atmosphere of the Adriatic Coast.

It was organized by Ivan Dikic, Alexandra Stolz and Rebecca Pfeiffer from the Institute of Biochemistry II. Co-organizers of the meeting were Brenda Schulman (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA), Frauke Melchior (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, ZMBH, Heidelberg, Germany) and Ron Hay (University of Dundee, UK).

There were almost 200 posters displayed with a strong participation of young scientists and a very high quality of the scientific work presented. In more than 50 talks from senior PIs as well as junior group leaders the advances in the field of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers were highlighted and it became clear that the field is facing great progress in fundamental discoveries as well as in translating the research into therapeutic applications.

Coffee breaks and evening events promoted the networking in a relaxed and beautiful surrounding giving rise to establishing new contacts, collaborations or strengthening the connections already built. An afternoon boat trip to the UNESCO world heritage city Dubrovnik and a guided tour around the ancient city walls completed the social programme which peaked in the farewell party on the last conference day.

12 PhD students and PostDocs and 6 group leaders from the Institute of Biochemistry II attended this exciting conference and presented their work in posters and talks. Overall the contribution and participation in this meeting was overwhelming and the community is looking forward to the next EMBO meeting on ubiquitin in September 2017.