ÖGMBT - Nachbaur

First FEMS Monthly Newsletter of 2026

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 03:59

Dear ÖGMBT members,

We are excited to kick off the year with you, and what a start to 2026 it has been. From community meetings and new research highlights to updates across our journals, the launch of our first podcast, and preparations for our first webinar of the year, momentum is already building.

In this month’s edition, you will find:

The latest news from our journals, including fresh research features and editorial updates
Career opportunities: 14 prestigious Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Double Degree Doctorate Fellowships
A spotlight on 24 FEMS sponsored events happening across Europe
Plus much more

Dive into this month’s newsletter and start the new year inspired, informed, and connected.

All the best,

The FEMS Team

FEMS Microbiology Reviews Webinar

From novel computational pipelines to the role of genetic variation in disease resistance, this webinar offers microbiologists, students, and enthusiasts a front-row seat to emerging tools, insights, and breakthroughs shaping our understanding of microbial life at the molecular level.

Join us on 16 February at 16:00 CET for the FEMS Microbiology Reviews Webinar on “Exploring the Molecular Aspects of Microbial Biology”

Secure your spot

Microbes and us podcast: Episode 36

In this episode, we speak with Emma Sheriff from the University of Helsinki, winner of a FEMS Microbes Article Award, about her groundbreaking research into the complex interplay between bacteriophages and Enterococcus faecalis .

Her work sheds new light on phage infection dynamics using proteomics, revealing uncharacterized phage proteins and significant shifts in bacterial protein expression. Most notably, Emma explores how the bacterial protease GelE may protect against phage infection, and how this mechanism could be targeted to improve phage therapy.

Tune in to discover more

The FEMS Journals, in partnership with Oxford University Press (OUP), are a leading resource for the microbiology community. Our not-for-profit publications advance the field through research, education, and collaboration, featuring special issues, topical webinars, and cutting-edge advancements.

Explore the latest research, browse current open calls for papers, and stay informed.

Publish with purpose

Looking for a place to publish your paper? The not-for-profit FEMS journals, run by and for microbiologists, publish rigorously peer-reviewed research to support the microbiology community.

Find all open calls for thematic issues submissions here. We have open access and free-to-publish submission options available.

Small bacterial proteins for big changes - Bacteria often face rapidly changing and hostile environments. To cope, they rely on intricate stress-response networks. One of their survival strategies is nucleoid condensation, bacteria compacting their chromosomes to conserve resources. The study “The small bacterial membrane protein YohP induces nucleoid condensation in E. coli and inhibits oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides” published in microLife describes how the small membrane protein YohP helps the bacterium overcome stress, as explained in this blog by Ana Natriashvili. Read the full blog here.
Biochar in sandy soils impact microbiome communities - Healthy soils are the backbone of sustainable agriculture and climate action. Yet, coarse sandy soils, common in many regions, pose a challenge. They drain water and nutrients too quickly, leaving crops thirsty and reducing yields. Improving these soils is critical for food security and carbon sequestration. The study “Effect of biochar on extracellular enzyme activity and microbiome dynamics across coarse sandy soil depths”, published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology explores an innovative solution: biochar. In this blog, Paul Iturbe-Espinoza, Rumakanta Sapkota, and Anne Winding discuss how this carbon-rich material can transform poor sandy subsoils into more resilient systems for sustainable agriculture. Read the full blog here.

Delivering a reimagined FEMS: Reinventing meetings and reshaping journals

In 2025, the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) successfully delivered its reinvented and reimagined biannual Congress & Exhibition. FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 was innovative and experimental, and allowed the best parts of bringing together colleagues from across the world to take center stage.

In 2026, FEMS turns that energy to its journals portfolio: strengthening the key elements that make them important in today’s research landscape. The FEMS journals are not-for-profit and run by dedicated active microbiologists. The journals publish trustworthy peer reviewed science, and FEMS is ensuring that sound microbiology research from all fields can always find a home within its portfolio.

This year will see a renewed focus on supporting the next generation of microbiologists. The portfolio will see several upgrades in 2026: fresh new looks, refined scopes, training resources for publishing and professional development, and some new faces involved in the journals. So, be sure to follow FEMS on social media and through our newsletters and website to find out more as it happens.

Journals run by microbiologists for microbiologists

FEMS strives to connect the microbiology community across borders, encouraging collaboration that drives solutions to global challenges through interdisciplinary research. We remain dedicated to empowering Early Career Researchers with professional development opportunities through webinars, podcasts, blogs, funding, events, and job opportunities.

By publishing with our not‑for‑profit journals, you directly support the community: funding meeting attendance, research and training grants, and our meeting organizer grants. Find out how you can get involved.

Opportunity of the month

Call for PhD applications - 14 Prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Double Degree Doctorate Fellowships

Location: Across Europe

Application deadline: 15 April 2026

Are you an aspiring researcher ready to drive the digital and green transition in agriculture?

Find out more

Deadlines

Meeting Attendance Grants - 1 March

Meeting Organizer Grants - 1 May

Research and Training Grants - 1 July

FEMS Grants

The not-for-profit FEMS Journals: run by microbiologists for microbiologists

Publish with purpose

The FEMS journals are run by microbiologists, and for microbiologists. Every article published by us has been rigorously reviewed for soundness of science by our community of academic peer reviewers – and the not-for-profit journals support the microbiology community.

EFB Newsletter - January 2026

Tuesday, 27 January 2026 10:33

Last places available – last chance to register!

The EFB Biobased Materials Division invites you to the 2nd European Workshop on Biotechnology: Biobased Materials, taking place in Sion, Switzerland, 2–5 February 2026.

Designed for a small group of up to 20 participants, this hands-on workshop combines expert-led lectures with practical laboratory sessions, offering direct interaction with leading researchers in the field.
Held at HES-SO Valais, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, this is a unique learning opportunity.

Worksop biomaterials sponsors

Registration

ECB2026: Solutions for a sustainable planet
The European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) will take place in Antwerp (Belgium), on 28 June - 1 July 2026, under the theme “Shaping tomorrow: Biotechnology for Health, Food, Energy, Environment”.

The congress will feature four scientific streams addressing key areas of biotechnology, including the second stream, “Solutions for a sustainable planet”:

Phytoremediation
Helena Freitas, University of Coimbra (Portugal)
Combating contaminants with Bacteria and Archaea
Rosa Martínez Espinosa, University of Alicante (Spain)
Sustainable biogeochemical cycles
Jana Milucka, MPI Bremen (Germany)
Bioenergy and bioelectricity
Tom Clarke, University of East Anglia (UK)
Sustainable food and feed alternatives
Kevin Verstrepen, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology (Belgium)
Biotechnology solutions for new critical materials
Boris Zimmermann, Norweigian University of Life Science (Norway)

Call for abstracts
Submit your original research in one of the following scientific streams:

Innovations for healthy living
Solutions for a sustainable planet
Manufacturing with microbes
Feeding the planet

Abstracts may be considered for oral, flash poster or poster presentation.
Submission deadline: 15 March 2026

Registration

Save the date
Join us on 8–9 September 2026 in Sion, Switzerland, for the Food Biotechnology Conference organized by the Plant, Agriculture and Food Division of the European Federation of Biotechnology.

Set in the heart of the Swiss Alps at HES-SO Valais, this two-day conference will bring together researchers, innovators, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, discuss recent advances, and connect around the future of food biotechnology.

Programme overview:

Sustainable food ingredients through biotechnological innovation
Fermentation and upcycling in food systems
Microbiome-active foods and health functionality
Clean-label biotech – aligning innovation with consumer expectations
Enabling technologies in food biotechnology
Ethics, regulation, and societal impact of food biotech
Policy pathways to enable sustainable food biotechnology

Stay tuned for speaker announcements, registration details, and abstract submission deadlines.

Express your interest

Bursaries available for PYFF9 in Valencia - apply now
Bursaries are now available for the 9th Conference on Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF9), which will take place in Valencia, Spain on 8-11 September 2026.

Funded by FEMS and the EFB Microbial Biotechnology Division, these bursaries will help support early-career researchers and students to attend the conference.

Early bird registration available!
You can also register for the conference and take advantage of €100 savings if you register before 24 May 2026.
FEMS logo

Registration

Registration will open this week
The registration is now open for the 8th Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE8) Conference on 4–6 November 2026 at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK. Explore how synthetic biology and applied microbiology are tackling real-world challenges and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The conference will cover four areas:

Factory: bio-based chemicals, materials, and sustainable production
Pharma: cell therapies, diagnostics, gene editing, and biopharmaceuticals
Farm & Field: crop improvement, soil and waste solutions, bioremediation
Computational design: from proteins to networks, circuits, and microbial communities

More information

Pichia 2026 – International Conference on Pichia pastoris Biology & Biotechnology
The Pichia 2026 conference will bring together researchers, industry partners, and technology developers to discuss advances in Pichia pastoris for bioproduction, synthetic biology, strain engineering, and bioprocess innovation.
The meeting will take place in Mallorca (Spain) from 24 to 27 March 2026, just before Easter week.
Submit your abstract. Don't miss your opportunity.

More information

Top article of the month
Exploring protein secretion-modulating and structural features of pro-peptides from S8 class subtilisin-like serine proteases in Bacillus subtilis

OPEN ACCESS

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Exclusive discounts for Institutional Members
Institutional Members can benefit from special discounts at the European Congress on Biotechnology:

Reduced registration fees
Decreased fees for exhibition space

Upper-level Institutional Memberships: Premium and Patronage
Our Premium and Patronage Institutional Memberships offer exclusive advantages:

Premium Membership:

Includes Bronze Sponsorship for meetings
Sponsorship benefits apply to major events, including ECB2026

Patronage Membership:

Our highest level of Institutional Membership
Offers tailor-made benefits, customized to meet the specific needs and goals of each institution

These memberships are designed to maximize engagement, visibility and impact across our key events and activities.

Patron and Premium sponsors

Discover Membership Benefits

The Human Protein Atlas
A new version 25 of the open-access Human Protein Atlas resource was published at the HUPO World Congress in Toronto on November 11, 2025. The updated atlas expands blood, single-cell, tissue and interaction resources. On December 18, 2025, Science published “A human pan-disease blood atlas of the circulating proteome” by The Human Protein Atlas team. [+]

Ready to elevate your screening?
Steady data collection. Seamless decisions. The Kuhner microTOM brings online monitoring directly to 96- or 24-well microtiter plates, tracking oxygen transfer rates for fast, reliable, and automated strain or media optimization. Make data-driven choices quickly — no manual sampling, no offline analysis, and no interruptions. [+]

We’re here to better our world with biology
Solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. For more than a century this has been our guide, our purpose. It got us here. And it’s how we'll impact the future. More than ever the world needs change. With biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.[+]

iBET pioneers advanced 3D Cell Models for Preclinical Research
Our platforms provide physiologically relevant, analytically accessible cellular 3D cell models to evaluate safety, efficacy and mechanism of action for complex biologics, including multispecific antibodies. These models can accelerate candidate selection and reduce development risks, supporting innovative biopharma pipelines.[+]

Welcome to the dynamic world of life sciences!
The ÖGMBT, the platform for life sciences professionals in Austria, is your portal to this thriving domain. We are committed to connecting exceptional talents with exciting prospects in academia, industry and institutions. The Life Sciences Career Fair stands as Austria's pre-eminent event in this field. It's your chance to explore limitless career and further education opportunities, suitable for students, graduates, and young professionals with diverse experiences.[+]

Swiss Biotech Day: Secure your spot
Join more than 3,000 experts from across the life sciences ecosystem on 4–5 May 2026 in Basel. Discover the latest advances in R&D, manufacturing, data management, artificial intelligence, and innovative financing, and connect with a truly global biotech community.[+]

Full Professor and Chair Bioprocess Engineering
A vacancy has opened for a Full Professor and Chair of Bioprocess Engineering at Wageningen University & Research due to retirement. The role involves leading a renowned international group, shaping research in sustainable biomanufacturing, overseeing academic and operational management, strengthening global standing, and contributing to BSc, MSc, and PhD education and innovation. [+]

EVENT CALENDAR

EFB Events

Workshop on Biobased Materials
organised by the EFB Biobased Materials Division
2 - 5 February 2026 │ Sion, CH

European Congress on Biotechnology ECB2026
organised by the EFB
28 June - 1 July 2026 │ Antwerp, BE

Food Biotechnology Conference
organised by the EFB Plant, Agriculture and Food Division
8 - 9 September 2026 │ Sion, CH

Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF9)
organised by the EFB Microbial Biotechnology Division
8 - 11 September 2026 │ Valencia, ES

Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE8)
organised by the EFB Bioengineering & Bioprocessing Division and the EFB Microbial Biotechnology Division
4 - 6 November 2026 │ Manchester, UK

EFB Member Events

Pichia 2026
organised by UAB
24 - 27 March 2026 │ Mallorca, Spain

Advanced Studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
organised by FEMTCI
March 2026 │ Online

Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2026
organised by Microbiology Society
13 - 16 April 2026 │ Belfast, IE

Swiss Biotech Day
organised by Swiss Biotech Association
4 - 5 May 2026 │ Basel, CH

XVI FEMTCI Congress
organised by FEMTCI
29 - 31 May 2026 │ Peñíscola, ES

ÖGMBT Annual Meeting
organised by ÖGMBT
15 - 17 September 2026 │ Viena, AT

NBC 2026 conference
organised by NBV
22 September 2026 │ Utrecht, NL

Österreich forscht

Monday, 19 January 2026 09:53

Österreich forscht (www.citizen-science.at) ist der zentrale Dreh- und Angelpunkt für Citizen Science in Österreich. Österreich forscht verbindet nicht nur Forschende und Bürger:innen, sondern auch Forschungs- und Bildungseinrichtungen, sowie(gemeinnützige) Organisationen, aus ganz Österreich, um partizipative Forschung in Österreich weiterzuentwickeln.

Auf der Plattform finden sich Citizen Science-Projekte aus ganz Österreich, bei denen Interessierte selbst mitforschen können – von Natur über Kultur bis hin zu Gesundheit oder Politik. Außerdem bietet Österreich forscht Informationen rund um Citizen Science, Veranstaltungshinweise und Ankündigungen von Förderungen im Bereich Citizen Science. In diversen Arbeitsgruppen widmen sich die Partner im Netzwerk Themen wie Qualität von Citizen Science, Open Science und Citizen Science an Schulen. Im Blog von Österreich forscht berichten Forschende und Teilnehmende über ihre Erfahrungen, ihre Projekte und aktuelle Entwicklungen im Bereich Citizen Science. Im ersten Citizen Science-Podcast „Wissen macht Leute“ gibt es Citizen Science auf die Ohren. Bei der alljährlich stattfindenden Österreichischen Citizen Science-Konferenz stehen Networking und ein Überblick über aktuelle Entwicklungen von Citizen Science in Österreich im Vordergrund.

Das Netzwerk Citizen Science Network Austria – koordiniert von der BOKU University – wurde 2017 gegründet, die Plattform existiert bereits seit 2014. Gemeinsam verfolgen die Partnerinstitutionen drei Ziele:

Citizen Science in Österreich sichtbar machen und stärken,
die Qualität von Citizen Science fördern,
und die Zusammenarbeit über Disziplinen hinweg ausbauen.

Wenn sich auch Ihre Organisation diesen Zielen widmen und (kostenlos) dem Citizen Science Network Austria beitreten möchte, wenden Sie sich gerne an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Your FEBS Network highlights - Jan 2026

Monday, 19 January 2026 09:49

Hello Austrian Association of Molecular Life Sciences and Biotechnology!

Here's a list of the great content selected as a highlight in the past 2 weeks.

The FEBS Congress 2026: opportunities to present your work

Submit your abstract by 13 February 2026 for consideration for talks and to benefit from the early registration fee. Read more

FEBS Communications

Ivan Đikić: "I believe leadership means leading by example."

Five minutes with ubiquitin and autophagy expert Ivan Đikić, who will be awarded the 2026 Theodor Bücher medal from FEBS at the 50th FEBS Congress this summer. Read more

FEBS Communications

Read all about it! (a short guide to writing scientific reports and manuscripts)

Brooke Morriswood
writer, Total Internal Reflection

FEBS Open Bio in 2025: A Year in Review

As we come to the end of another fruitful year at FEBS Open Bio, we reflect on the key milestones and initiatives that have helped shaped the journal over the past year. Read more

FEBS Open Bio

Interested in becoming a contributor to FEBS Network? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

FEBS Network
https://network.febs.org/

Visit FEBS Network

2D & 2E, St Andrew’s House, 59 St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3BZ, UK

FEBS January 2026 news: Read the latest updates on FEBS events and other activities

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 01:03

The FEBS Congress 2026: it's time to prepare your abstract!

Approaching deadline: 13 February 2026

As well as the stimulating invited speaker programme at the 50th FEBS Congress in Maastricht, we are looking forward to active contributions of participants to the knowledge exchange through posters and oral presentations. Abstract topics for the event span the breadth of molecular life science research, and include bioscience education too. Come and share your results on an international stage at this milestone edition of the FEBS Congress!

Short talks and speed talks will be selected from submitted abstracts – indicate your interest in these opportunities to step into the spotlight when submitting.
Posters are a very valued part of the event too, bringing recent findings and providing a useful networking tool. There will be poster prizes from the FEBS Press journals.
Abstracts accepted to the event will be published in a FEBS Open Bio Congress supplement.
Don't miss the key upcoming 13 February 2026 deadline to benefit from the early registration fee, consideration of abstracts for oral presentations, and applications for FEBS bursaries and the FEBS Sprinzl scheme.

Congress website

Call for abstracts

Congress-specific newsletter

FEBS Press and FEBS Open Bio are pleased to invite you to a free online webinar on Tumor-Stroma Interactions. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 15:00 GMT (16:00 CET).

FEBS Open Bio recently published a Special Issue on Tumor-Stroma Interactions. Articles highlighted the relevance of the tumor stroma cells, and their interactions with tumor cells, in cancer progression.

During this webinar Guest Editor Isabel Fabregat, (Principal Investigator at The Institute of Biomedical Research of Bellvitge), together with several of the contributing authors, will discuss trending topics in Tumor-Stroma Interaction research.

If you are interested in attending, please register for the zoom webinar below. We hope you can join us for this stimulating roundtable discussion!

Register here

Cover image courtesy of
Katia Cosentino.

The FEBS Journal | Highlights 2025

As we welcome 2026, The FEBS Journal editorial team has taken stock of the articles we published in 2025 and selected the year’s favourites. The articles in this collection showcase the breadth of scientific topics our journal covers. We are proud to be part of such vibrant and diverse scientific fields. We look forward to many more excellent articles in 2026 and hope these excellent papers will inspire you to submit your next manuscript to The FEBS Journal!

Read now

New content in The Scientists’ Forum of FEBS Letters

FEBS Letters has recently published a series of articles on mentorship in the life sciences, which can be read online in The Scientists’ Forum. The first addresses the importance of mentorship schemes to cultivate female talent, as exemplified by a recent initiative at IFIMAC Madrid. The second article encourages postdocs to embrace the opportunity to supervise students, providing concrete examples of how this can strengthen leadership skills, while the final article presents a qualitative analysis of the challenges faced by mothers in academia, and the importance of open conversations with supervisors to help overcome such challenges. These three articles contain advice that will be useful to researchers at all career stages, and we hope will help strenthen mentor-mentee relations in the lab.

FEBS Advanced Courses

Applications to the 2027 call

The next deadline for applications will be 1 March 2026 for the FEBS Advanced Courses 2027 call (for courses to be delivered in 2027). The updated guidelines are now available on the FEBS website. We are pleased to highlight a new course type co-funded with IUBMB: the Joint FEBS/IUBMB Advanced Course.

FEBS Advanced Courses 2026

We are delighted to announce that 18 courses were approved at the FEBS Advanced Courses 2026 call for applications. FEBS awarded up to €445,000 to support these courses (three courses were co-funded with EMBO) and an additional €76,500 will be provided in travel grants for young scientists.

From the tumour microenvironment, redox signalling, or MASLD, to hands-on courses on AI for protein engineering or functional imaging of cellular dynamics, the courses cover a wide spectrum of the molecular life sciences. Course locations range from the Finnish Lakes to the Cote d'Azur in France, and from Amsterdam to the Greek Islands.

Check the list below for more details. Please note that some courses are already open for registration. Keep an eye on the FEBS Advanced Courses calendar for more course website links as they become available. Please share course details with contacts and networks who might be interested in the topic.

(By course type and chronological order)

FEBS Advanced Lecture Courses

Tumour microenvironment: From tumour heterogeneity to therapy resistance
4–8 May 2026 | Fodele, Greece
Organizer: Ioanna Keklikoglou (University of Crete & IMBB-FORTH, Greece)

Lost in integration vol. 2 – Probing biomolecules with AI and experiments
10–16 May 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Birthe B. Kragelund (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

HFP2026: Molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and virulence in human fungal pathogens
16–22 May 2026 | La Colle-sur-Loup, France
Organizer: Jessica Quintin (Institut Pasteur, France)

Transglutaminases in biological processes
25–29 May 2026 | Padova, Italy
Organizer: Luigi Leanza (University of Padova, Italy)

Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences
8–12 June 2026 | Kuopio, Finland
Organizer: Henri Leinonen (University of Eastern Finland, Finland)

Advanced proteomics
9–15 August 2026 | Varna, Italy
Organizer: Kathryn Lilley (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom)

MASLD: From novel liver model systems to organelle pathophysiology
3–8 September 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Bernd Helms (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)

Extracellular matrix in health and disease: Structural dynamics, cell-cell communication, and microbiome crosstalk
22–27 September 2026 | Eretria, Greece
Organizer: Nikolaos Afratis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece)

Redox signaling in the physiopathology of the human body
28 September – 4 October 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Marzia Perluigi (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy)

Molecular mechanisms of synaptic vesicle dynamics
12–18 October 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Thomas Söllner (Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), Germany)

6th Danube Epigenetics Conference
19–22 October 2026 | Budapest, Hungary
Organizer: Ferenc Mueller (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom)

Joint FEBS/EMBO Lecture Courses

Membranes and their lipids and proteins in organelle biogenesis
10–16 May 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Eefjan Breukink (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)
[Watch video]

Ion channels and transporters: From atoms to cellular context
13–19 May 2026 | Erice, Italy
Organizer: Anna Moroni (University of Milano, Italy)

Cancer research; from fundamental insights to clinical application
17–23 August 2026 | Spetses Island, Greece
Organizer: Boudewijn M.T. Burgering (University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands)

FEBS Practical Courses

Generative AI for protein engineering
19–24 April 2026 | Blankenberge, Belgium
Organizer: Anastassia Vorobieva (VUB-VIB Center for Structure Biology, Belgium)

Functional imaging of cellular dynamics
31 May – 6 Jun 2026 | Amsterdam, Italy
Organizer: Mark Hink (University of Amsterdam, Italy)

FEBS Workshops

Protein termini 2026: From mechanisms to biological impact
3–6 June 2026 | Palermo, Italy
Organizer: Carmela Giglione (University Paris-Saclay, France)

Biochirality across scales
20–22 August 2026 | Nice, France
Organizer: Agnes Banreti (Cote d'Azur University, France)

Looking back at 2025

In 2025, the FEBS Advanced Courses programme delivered 20 courses, on a range of topics. We invite you to explore the FEBS News 2025 magazine to discover more about those courses, as well as browse the FEBS Network for posts from several participants about their experiences at the courses.

FEBS Education and Training

FEBS Education and Training Conference 2026 | Deadline extended

Good news if you were racing against the clock. The deadlines for early bird registration, abstract submission, oral talk selection and grants for FEBS ETC 2026 have been extended until 6 February 2026.

If you were still shaping an abstract or needed a bit more time to decide, this extension gives you some welcome breathing room.

Register now

FEBS Education Award 2026 | Call for nominations

FEBS has opened the call for nominations for the FEBS Education Award 2026, recognising an outstanding educator with a sustained and impactful career in molecular life sciences education and training.

The award celebrates excellence, innovation and long term impact across undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education. The awardee will receive a diploma, free registration and three nights of accommodation at the FEBS Congress 2026, where the award will be formally presented.

Nomination deadline: 15 February 2026
???? Full details and nomination form available here.

FEBS Supported Society Education Event

1st SIB Young Meeting
???? Abano Terme (Padova, Italy)
???? 25–27 March 2026

The deadline to apply is 31 January 2026.
20 FEBS grants are available to support registration.

???? Apply and find full details here.

FEBS Fellowships

PROBio-Africa Fellowships | Call now open

Applications are now open for the IUBMB–FEBS–FASBMB PROBio-Africa Fellowships, a joint initiative by Federation of European Biochemical Societies, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

The programme supports PhD students and early-career researchers affiliated with FASBMB to undertake 3–6 month research visits in laboratories based in FEBS countries, promoting skills development, collaboration and long-term capacity building in molecular life sciences across Africa.

Funding of up to EUR 7,000 is available to cover travel and living costs for a six-month visit.

Deadline: 2 March 2026
Award notification: by 15 April 2026

Full eligibility criteria and application details are available here.

Apply now

Israel Pecht Award 2026 – Call for nominations

The call for nominations for the Israel Pecht Award 2026 is now open. This FEBS Recognition Award honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their FEBS Constituent Society and to the wider molecular biosciences community, reflecting the values of collaboration, inclusivity and long-term commitment that Professor Israel Pecht embodied.

Each FEBS Constituent Society may nominate one candidate. The award will be presented during the FEBS Congress, with travel, accommodation and registration covered by FEBS.

Full details and nomination information are available in the official invitation letter.

Nomination deadline: 15 February 2026
Nominations should be sent to Prof. Xavier Coumoul, Chair of the Integration and Networking Committee, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Welcome to our new committee members

We are pleased to welcome the following members who have recently taken up new roles within FEBS committees.

New Executive Committee members

Xavier Coumoul, Chair, Integration and Networking Committee
Irene Díaz Moreno, now serving as Chair of the Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee
Anne Ephrussi, Chair, Women in Science Working Group
Riccardo Miggiano, Acting Chair, Committee on the Careers of Young Scientists
Graça Soveral, Congress Counsellor
Rasa Žukienė, Chair, Science and Society Committee

Newly elected committee members

Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee: Annette Beck-Sickinger (German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Germany)
Integration and Networking Committee: Sophie Rahuel Clermont (French Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, France)
Publications Committee: Peppi Karppinen (Finnish Biochemical, Biophysics and Microbiology Society, Finland) and Pierre Santucci (French Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, France)
Science and Society Committee: Mark Roberts (The Biochemical Society, UK)

The full composition of FEBS committees is available on the FEBS website

Gesellschaft für Forschungsförderung Niederösterreich: Wissenschaft Zukunft Preis

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 08:50

Herausragende wissenschaftliche Abschlussarbeiten von Akademiker*innen, die am Beginn ihrer wissenschaftlichen Karriere stehen

Prämiert werden:

Drei Master- bzw. Diplomarbeiten mit je 1.500 Euro sowie

Zwei Dissertationen/PhD-Arbeiten mit je 3.000 Euro.

Es besteht keine Altersbegrenzung.

Es gibt keine thematische Einschränkung, da der WZP alle Wissenschaftsdisziplinen umfasst.

Prämiert werden ausschließlich akademische Abschlussarbeiten, die mit „Sehr gut” (oder gleichwertig) beurteilt wurden.

Die Arbeiten müssen einen direkten Bezug zu Niederösterreich aufweisen (ein Wohnsitz in Niederösterreich ist dafür nicht relevant).

Die Abschlussarbeiten dürfen nicht älter als drei Jahre sein, d. h., sie wurden frühestens 2023 approbiert.

Einreichfrist: 260226-080426, unter

Information

Hochschuljubiläumsfonds der Stadt Wien 2026 - Ingenieur- und Naturwissenschaften

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 08:48

Wissenschaftliche Projekte, insbesondere der Wiener Hochschulinstitute

In Einzelfällen können auch wissenschaftlichen Vereinigungen oder entsprechend qualifizierten Einzelpersonen, die in Wien ansässig sind, Förderungsbeiträge zuerkannt werden. Entscheidend ist, dass eindeutig Projektcharakter vorliegt.

Der Fonds lädt vor allem junge Wissenschaftler*innen zur Bewerbung ein, bei gleichwertigen Projekten werden Anträge von jungen Wissenschaftler*innen bevorzugt behandelt. Bachelorarbeiten, Diplomarbeiten oder Lehrbücher werden nicht gefördert. Auslandsaufenthalte werden nur unterstützt, wenn sie für das eingereichte Forschungsprojekt zwingend erforderlich sind. Das Projekt muss sich nicht mit Wien beschäftigen, das wird in vielen Fällen auch nicht möglich sein, doch haben Projekte mit Wienbezug Vorrang.

Für das Jahr 2026 werden Projekte nur aus den Bereichen Ingenieurs- und Naturwissenschaften (nicht aber Projekte der Medizinischen Universität und der Veterinärmedizinischen Universität) zur Förderung angenommen.

Die Höhe der beantragten Fördersumme pro Antrag ist mit etwa 20.000 Euro begrenzt; die durchschnittlich ausbezahlte Förderung beträgt etwa 8.000 Euro.

Einreichung der Bewerbungen ausschließlich über das Formular online.

Einreichfrist: 310326

Information

December 2025 news: Read the FEBS 2025 annual issue and Executive Committee updates

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 12:12

Just released – the FEBS News 2025 Annual Issue

FEBS News 2025 is here, bringing together the key achievements, milestones, and stories that shaped this year across the FEBS community.

In this special issue, explore major scientific events, strategic collaborations, fellowships, education initiatives, society activities, and the vibrant contributions of early-career researchers. From global partnerships to new programmes, from the FEBS Congress in Istanbul to the Advanced Courses, from FEBS Press highlights to the work of our Committees, this issue captures the energy and progress that defined 2025.

Discover what we achieved together – and what lies ahead for 2026.

View as flipbook

Download the PDF

We share below a message from the FEBS Secretary General, Prof. Miguel A. De la Rosa, expressing his appreciation to the Executive Committee members completing their terms this year.

As this year comes to an end, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the FEBS Executive Committee members who are completing their terms: Caroline Dean, Irene Díaz Moreno, Jerka Dumić, Manolis Fragkoulis, Alain Krol and Piotr Laidler.

Each of you has played an important role in strengthening FEBS. Your leadership has supported key areas of our mission, from promoting young scientists and advancing scientific excellence to fostering collaboration across societies, championing research integrity, advising on Congress matters and bringing visibility to important community issues.

I would also like to acknowledge Irene and Jerka, who will continue contributing to the Executive Committee in newly elected roles. Their ongoing engagement is invaluable as FEBS moves into its next phase.

Thanks to the dedication of all of you, many initiatives have progressed and the Federation is better positioned for the coming years. On behalf of FEBS, thank you for your commitment, your generosity of time and the perspective you have brought to our work.

We are profoundly grateful for your service and hope you will remain close to FEBS in the future.

With best regards,
Miguel

In addition, the departing members offer a brief reflection on their time serving the Federation and their contributions to its mission.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the individuals serving on the FEBS Executive Committee. They make you feel part of the FEBS family who all work hard for the benefit of young biochemists/researchers. It was a privilege reading all the nominations for the FEBS/EMBO Woman in Science prize and introducing the winners at the Congress each summer. I look forward to seeing who wins this wonderful award in future years and wish the FEBS team the greatest success in the future."

"It was truly a great honour and pleasure for me to serve FEBS for so many years, first as Vice President and President of the Council and then as Chairman of the S&S Committee.This is not only because I am the first Greek scientist who had the good fortune to represent FEBS in such positions but also because I had the opportunity to collaborate with distinguished personalities both within the framework of the EC as well as within the framework of the S&S Committee. I am very pleased to see that FEBS’ contribution to shaping European science policy has been significant, judging by the acceptance of important positions of FEBS science policy in the European Framework Programme 9 (FP9).
My wish is to see FEBS continue its upward trend, contributing substantially to the progress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Europe and the world and helping society to understand in the right way the impressive changes that have taken place in this scientific area in recent years."

"As Chair of the Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee, I greatly enjoyed reading the applications submitted by talented and promising young scientists before sending them to the Committee members for review. It was an exciting task that allowed me to learn about recent developments in areas beyond my own field. It was also rewarding to see how dedicated the Excellence Awardees are when volunteering to participate in Excellence Awards Meetings and FEBS Congresses.

As a member of the Executive Committee, I very much appreciated the friendly, informal and creative atmosphere that characterised our meetings. Getting to know and work with scientists from across Europe and beyond, who became good friends, has been both exhilarating and a great privilege.

FEBS must continue to pursue their goals of advancing research and education in the molecular life sciences. With the strong commitment of all those who volunteer their time and the new initiatives developed in close collaboration with partner organisations worldwide, I am confident that FEBS will continue to thrive and further enhance their global visibility."

"What I have enjoyed most and found rewarding at the same time regarding my duty as the congress counsellor was working to put together various pieces of the puzzle named FEBS congress such as: choosing the right location – country, city, congress center, combined with a local site visit that always teaches and tests our own, often imperfect, views, opinions and preconceptions, and the scientific program – for me, always the most fascinating piece of work. Also, choosing places for participants’ accommodation and overseeing all the other pieces of this complex puzzle that is the annual FEBS congress. If it goes as imagined and successfully ends, it brings a great feeling and satisfaction.

I've been fortunate to witness the great and important changes that FEBS, a large and wonderful organization devoted to development of science and education, has undergone in recent years. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary General, Professor Miguel de la Rosa, for inviting me to collaborate and giving me the opportunity to participate in these not always easy tasks. I sincerely hope that all the actions taken and still being undertaken will help, in line with the desires of all of us at EC and beyond, to make FEBS the strongest international organization supporting the development of the broadly defined life sciences! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the success of all our efforts to fulfill our dreams."

Our best wishes for the holiday season

As we reach the end of the year, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all members of the FEBS community. Thank you for your continued engagement, collaboration and support throughout 2025.

We hope you enjoy a restful and uplifting holiday period and start the new year with renewed energy and inspiration.

We look forward to continuing our work together in 20226

November 2025 news: Read the latest updates on FEBS events and other activities

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 12:08

The FEBS Congress 2026: abstract submission and registration are open!

Call for abstracts

Alongside invited speaker talks at a FEBS Congress, the posters, speed talks and short talks from delegates play an important role in the overall knowledge exchange and networking at the event. We are therefore now pleased to invite you to play an active part in the 50th edition of the FEBS Congress by presenting your recent work on this international stage! Find all the details about abstract submission, including abstract topics, assessment, and presentation options, on the Congress website’s Call for abstracts page.

The main abstract deadline is 13 February 2026.

Meet the plenary lecturers

There are many elements to a FEBS Congress, but the plenary lectures, when participants come together to hear overviews and advances first-hand from distinguished research leaders, provide particularly enriching experiences. The plenary speaker line-up for the 50th FEBS Congress promises stimulating stories from across the molecular and cellular life sciences, including from two Nobel laureates. Discover the plenary speakers’ talk titles and short biographies on the Congress website’s Plenary speakers page. Several of these speakers will also be receiving awards or medals at the event for outstanding contributions.

FEBS Young Scientists' Forum (YSF)

???? Apply to the FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum (YSF) 2026

Wageningen, the Netherlands | 2–4 July 2026
Deadline: 10 December 2025

Are you a PhD student or postdoc? Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for the FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum (YSF) 2026, taking place in Wageningen, the Netherlands, just before the FEBS Congress 2026.

Organized by young scientists for young scientists, the YSF offers a unique environment to learn from experts, share your research, and connect with peers from across Europe and beyond. The programme combines scientific sessions, oral and poster presentations, and career development activities in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere.

Selected participants receive accommodation and registration fees for both events and most travel expenses to attend the YSF and the subsequent FEBS Congress.

Apply here

FEBS Press Launches New Calls for Papers Hub

FEBS Press has launched a dedicated Calls for Papers hub, bringing together all ongoing and upcoming opportunities from our four journals – The FEBS Journal, FEBS Letters, Molecular Oncology, and FEBS Open Bio.

These journals regularly feature exciting Calls for Papers for upcoming Special Issues, Collections and Special Sections across a wide range of topics in the molecular life sciences.

Currently, open calls include:

FEBS Open Bio – Special Issue on Host–Pathogen Interactions
Molecular Oncology – Inviting submissions for upcoming article collections. Subject areas include Cancer Neuroscience and Liquid Biopsy
FEBS Letters – Inviting special section submissions within the subject areas of Mitochondrial Biology, Cancer Biology, and Autophagy

We encourage you to bookmark the Calls for Papers page and check back regularly to stay up to date with new opportunities to publish your research.

Explore the hub

FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2026: Save the date

The 5th FEBS–IUBMB–ENABLE Conference will be hosted by the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, from 14–16 October 2026, under the theme “The Code of Life: Beyond the Genome to Multilayer Biology.”

Marking 25 years since the sequencing of the Human Genome, the conference will explore how biological datasets can be integrated through innovative technologies and computational approaches to reveal new layers of complexity in living systems.

Visit the conference website

ENABLE 2027 – Call for host institutions

Deadline: 30 November 2025

FEBS and the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) invite applications to host the 6th FEBS–IUBMB–ENABLE International Molecular Biosciences PhD and Postdoc Conference, to be held in November 2027.

The FEBS–IUBMB–ENABLE Conference is a 3-day international and interdisciplinary event for PhD students and postdocs, hosted at a different European research institution each year. Organised by young researchers, the event combines cutting-edge science, career development and public engagement.

The 2027 host institution (university or research centre) must be based in a country with a FEBS Constituent Society. FEBS and IUBMB will provide up to EUR 86,100 in funding and organisational support.

Find out more & apply

FEBS Excellence Awards

The prestigious FEBS Excellence Awards scheme supports early-career group leaders in the FEBS area who have a scientific research track record of proven excellence. FEBS Excellence Awards provide funding of €100,000 for research equipment and consumables over a 3-year period.

FEBS is pleased to announce here the researchers selected by the FEBS Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee to receive a FEBS Excellence Award following the 2025 call. We congratulate the awardees on their selection and wish them success in their next research steps.

Three other recipients have also received FEBS Excellence Awards 2025:

Alexander Belyy (University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
Alena Khmelinskaia (LMU, Munich, Germany)
Jorian Eeftens (Radboud UMC, Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands)

FEBS Booster Fund

FEBS is pleased to announce here the researchers selected by the FEBS Excellence Awards and Fellowships Committee to receive a FEBS Booster Fund grant following the call for this scheme in 2025. We congratulate the recipients on their selection and wish them success in their next research steps.

FEBS Education and Training

FEBS Education and Training Conference 2026
25–29 March 2026 | Kuşadası, Türkiye

FEBS ETC 2026 returns on 25–29 March 2026 in Kuşadası, Türkiye—a focused meeting for educators, trainers, and leaders in the molecular life sciences. Expect impactful plenaries, FEBS Academy–certified workshops, hands-on sessions, and our new “Debate of the Day.” Bursaries supporting registration and accommodation are available.

Early bird registration & Abstract submission & Grant application deadline: 15 January 2026

Learn more & apply

Call open: FEBS Supported Society Education Events (Jan–Jun 2026)

Applications are invited from FEBS Constituent Societies for funding to advance excellence and innovation in molecular life sciences education. Priority themes this round include AI & Machine Learning (tools, ethics, education) and Skills for Industry 4.0 (biotech-ready graduates), though all education topics are welcome. Funding: up to €2,000 (in-person) or €750 (online).

Deadline: 15 December 2025.

Check full details

EFB Newsletter - December 2025

Monday, 12 January 2026 01:39

Greetings from the European Federation of Biotechnology
We wish all our members, partners and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We want to thank the entire EFB community for its continued commitment through meeting participation, active involvement in initiatives, and contributions to knowledge sharing.
A special thank to our Institutional Members and Event Sponsors. Your support has been essential in the successful organization of biotechnology conferences and events that facilitate expert exchange and collaboration.
Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.

Registration now open
Join the European Workshop on Biotechnology: Biobased Materials in Sion, Switzerland on 2-5 February 2026. With only 20 places available, this hands-on workshop offers expert-led lectures, practical lab sessions, and direct collaboration with leading researchers. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand your skills and network in the field of biobased materials.

Why Sion?
Sion, Switzerland, is the perfect winter destination for skiing and outdoor fun after the workshop. Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Valais region, you can combine valuable learning with an exciting winter getaway, making the most of the peak season for snow sports and adventures.

Valais region image

Registration

ECB2026: Innovations for healthy living
The European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) is set to take place in Antwerp (Belgium), on 28 June - 1 July 2026. This year’s congress, under the theme “Shaping tomorrow: Biotechnology for Health, Food, Energy, Environment”.

The congress will feature four scientific streams addressing key areas of biotechnology. Details of the first stream, “Innovations for Healthy Living”:

Biopharmaceuticals, vacciones and bioprocessing
Stefan Schmidt, Evitria (Switzerland)
Cell and gene therapies
Mercedes Segura, Editas Medicine (USA)
Nanobiomedicine
Chantal Pichon, University of Orleans (France)
Green biopharmaceuticals
Julian Ma, St George's University of London (UK)
Biosensors
Arben Merkoçi, ICN2 Barcelona (Spain)
Microbiome and health
Jeroen Raes, KU Leuven (Belgium)

REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
Take part in ECB2026 and show your company to a global biotech audience. We offer flexible sponsorship and exhibition options to help you increase your visibility and connect with biotech professionals from around the world.
Whether you want to present your products, meet key contacts, or promote your brand, there is a package that fits your needs. MORE INFORMATION

PYFF9 Conference: Keynote Speakers announced
The Conference on Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF9) will take place in Valencia, Spain on 8-11 September 2026, and the keynote speakers are:

Joseph Schacherer (University of Strasbourg, France) will give the Opening Keynote Lecture.
Antonio Di Pietro (University of Córdoba, Spain) will deliver the Closing Keynote Lecture on “Transposons and accessory regions drive adaptation in a clonal evolving fungal pathogen.”

The conference will cover a wide range of topics, including fungal evolution, pathogenesis, synthetic biology, and the role of fungi in sustainable industries.

Early Bird Registration now available: register before 24 May 2026 to save €100.

Registration

Registration will open soon
The Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE8) Conference will take place on 4–6 November 2026 at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK. Registration will open in soon, and early bird rates will be available – don’t miss the chance to save while securing your place.

ASBE8 will focus on how applied synthetic biology is helping to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover key areas like clean growth, bio-based chemicals, cellular therapeutics, crop improvement, and computational design technologies.

Meet the speakers Keynote Speakers ASBE

More information

Top article of the month
Transcriptional profiling of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 under multiple environmental stresses: Simulated microgravity, microaerobic, and co-culture conditions

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Discover Membership Benefits

Save the Date: Swiss Biotech Day, 4–5 May 2026
Join over 3,000 life sciences professionals in Basel for this premier global biotechnology conference, hosted by the Swiss Biotech Association. Network, exchange ideas, and explore advances in R&D, manufacturing, data management, AI, innovative financing, and partnering. [+]

Kuhner Seminars and Trainings
The Kuhner Science Talk series offers compact, expert insights into shaken cultivation systems in 45–60 minutes, with two global time slots and six modules yearly. The first session on 15 January 2026 covers key pitfalls in shake flask cultivations and how to avoid them. Learn practical rules for reliable workflows. Register now! [+]

Annual ÖGMBT Meeting
The ÖGMBT Annual Meeting is a key event in Austria's molecular biosciences, covering medical, applied, and basic research. It features international talks, student presentations, a trade show, and networking activities. The event will take place from 15-17 September 2026, at UBB VBC in Vienna. [+]

Advanced Studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
The European Foundation of TCMI, an affiliated center of the European Atlantic University and a member of EFB, is launching the new edition of its Advanced Studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, starting in March 2026. This recognized, high-quality training offers a solid path for your professional future. [+]

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