ÖGMBT - Nachbaur

EFB Newsletter - December 2025

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 01:01

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

OPEN ACCESS

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

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. [+]

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

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

Celebrating 2025 in microbiology

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 12:59

Federation of European Microbiological Societies

Dear ÖGMBT members,

What an incredible year 2025 has been for the microbiology community.

As we wrap up the year, we invite you to read this special edition, reflect on the achievements of the past year, and join us in celebrating the highlights that shaped 2025, from thought-provoking research to inspiring events and achievement:

The year’s most cited journals, new microbes discovered in 2025
Celebrations of milestones, including the unforgettable FEMS MICRO Milan 2025: Congress & Exhibition
Top trends in learning and engagement, featuring the most-streamed microbiology podcast and webinar

We proudly celebrate our award winners, sponsored meetings, summer school for postdocs, and, most importantly, the vibrant and dedicated microbiology community that makes all of this possible.

Additionally, the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) has announced Prof. Cecília M. Arraiano as incoming President, effective from 1 January 2026.

From all of us at FEMS, we wish you a happy holiday season.

All the best,

The FEMS Team

The most-listened to podcast of 2025: Episode 31 | Microbes Can Live Off Air

Discover why “Microbes Can Live Off Air” has captured the attention of listeners worldwide on the Microbes and Us podcast hosted by FEMS.

In this engaging conversation, Prof. Chris Greening, keynote speaker at the FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 Congress & Exhibition, explores the fascinating world of microbes that survive on trace atmospheric gases, harvesting hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane from thin air.

Listen now

Our most-attended webinar of 2025: A sustainable future in microbiology

We are excited to share that the FEMS Microbiology Ecology Webinar on “A Sustainable Future: Engaging the Next Generation of Researchers” has become our most-attended webinar of 2025.

Originally broadcast on 27 March 2025, this inspiring session explored innovative research featured in a thematic issue guest edited by dynamic Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Our guest editors shared their experiences and the importance of actively involving ECRs in shaping scientific discussions.

Watch now

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.

New bacteria identified in 2025 - As 2025 comes to an end, it is a great time to look back at the diverse microbes that made their debut to the scientific community this year. In this blog Sarah Wettstadt highlights some of the most fascinating bacteria identified in 2025. As always, the list of publications on new bacterial species is too long for one blog. That is why this blog aims to give a broad overview of new bacteria from environmental sources, featuring fascinating shapes and metabolic functions. Read the full blog here.
New viruses discovered in 2025 - Every year, scientists stumble upon viruses hiding in the most unexpected corners of the planet, and 2025 was no exception. In this edition Sarah Wettstadt explores newly discovered viruses from this year, from hypersaline environments to animal hosts and grapevines, expanding our understanding of viral evolution and potential applications. Read the full blog here.
Welcoming new archaea in 2025 - It has been incredibly interesting to explore all these new viruses, bacteria, and fungi uncovered this year. In this blog, Sarah Wettstadt turns the spotlight on the archaea identified this year. As expected, the list is short, as research on this kingdom is limited. Yet, their metabolic capabilities are even more remarkable. Read the full blog here.

European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) Announces Professor Cecília M. Arraiano as New President, effective 1 January 2026

Prof. Arraiano brings a distinguished record of scientific leadership and innovation to the role, reinforcing the EAM’s mission to amplify the impact of microbiology and promoting excellence in the field across Europe and the world.

Currently, she is Coordinating Investigator and Head of the Control of Gene Expression Laboratory at ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier of NOVA University of Lisbon, based in Oeiras, Portugal.

Her leadership will guide EAM in fostering excellence, supporting scientists, and addressing global challenges through microbiological research. Read the press release here.

Save the date for FEMS MICRO Ljubljana 2027

The biggest moment of the year was undoubtedly FEMS MICRO Milan 2025, our premier Congress & Exhibition. Held from 14-17 July, FEMS MICRO brought together over 2000 microbiologists from more than 95 countries, creating a vibrant space for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

Looking ahead, save the date for FEMS MICRO 2027, which will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 5-8 July 2027! We can't wait to see you all there.

Celebrating knowledge, connection & impact

This year, we proudly supported the next generation of microbiologists through our Summer School for Postdocs, a programme designed to empower early-career researchers with hands-on training, expert mentoring, and opportunities to build international peer networks.

We also marked a major success with International Microorganism Day, a global celebration that engaged thousands of participants worldwide. Through interactive activities, social campaigns, and educational resources, we amplified public understanding of the microbial world and highlighted its vital role in health, sustainability, and innovation.

Want to explore these initiatives in more detail? Visit our website for full stories, photos, and insights from these events.

Celebrating excellence: Awards & sponsored events

2025 was a year of recognition and support for outstanding contributions to microbiology. We proudly honored researchers through Poster and Oral Presentation Prizes, celebrating innovative work. These awards highlight the creativity, rigor, and impact that drive the field forward.

In addition, FEMS continued to strengthen the global microbiology network by providing Meeting Grants to support scientific gatherings. These grants help foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community building, ensuring that researchers everywhere have the opportunity to connect and share their discoveries.

Want to learn more about our award winners or explore how we support scientific meetings? Discover our awards page.

Opportunity of the month

Postdoctoral researcher in coral microbiology

Location: France

Application deadline: 19 December

The postdoctoral researcher will carry out manipulative experiments to unravel the molecular and chemical interactions between the cnidarian host, dinoflagellate algae and associated bacteria, focusing specifically on cutting-edge -omics tools (comparative genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), and will provide analytical support to ongoing projects.

Find out more

Deadlines

Editor-in-Chief for FEMS Microbiology Reviews - 31 Dec

Call for papers: Astrobiology and Extremophiles - 31 Dec

Research and Training Grants - 1 Jan

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.

Your FEBS Network highlights - Jan 2026

Monday, 12 January 2026 09:36

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.

Season’s greetings from FEBS and a look back at the year

FEBS Communications

Research institutes: What makes the magic?

Beyond the great science, what makes a research institute special? Do the work environment and the organisational structure support researchers in delivering their best outputs? Does the culture he... Read more

Sarah Teichmann
Professor of Stem Cell Medicine, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences

Registration for the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'Retina in a dish: Methods & applications in life sciences' (Finland, 8–12 June 2026) is open. The course will explore retina as an ex vivo model s... Read more

Henri Leinonen
Research Director, University of Eastern Finland

Integrative structural biology by the sea

Early-career researchers wanting to develop their skills in integrative structural biology might be interested in the FEBS Advanced Course 'Lost in Integration Vol. 2 – Probing biomolecules with AI... Read more

Lucy Holt
ISBUC Coordinator, University of Copenhagen

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

Förderpreise für junge Grundlagen-Forscherinnen in Österreich

Monday, 12 January 2026 09:26

Im Rahmen des Förderprogramms L’ORÉAL Österreich werden Förderpreise an junge Wissenschaftlerinnen in der Medizin, den Naturwissenschaften oder der Mathematik vergeben, die am Beginn ihrer wissenschaftlichen Karriere stehen oder um den (Wieder-)Einstieg in eine wissenschaftliche Laufbahn zu unterstützen.

Die Bewerbung für ein L’ORÉAL Österreich-Stipendium steht hoch qualifizierten Nachwuchswissenschaftlerinnen offen, die

ihr Doktorats-/PhD-Studium vor nicht mehr als vier Jahren abgeschlossen haben (Stichtag ist der Einreichtermin),
österreichische Staatsbürgerinnen sind oder seit mindestens drei Jahren ihren Lebensmittelpunkt in Österreich haben,
Publikationen (peer-review) und
ein konkretes Projekt in Österreich im Bereich der Grundlagenforschung vorlegen.

Weg zum Förderpreis:

Information

Antrag

Auswahl

FEMS Monthly News (November): From Global Milestones to Inspiring Journies

Monday, 01 December 2025 08:56

Dear ÖGMBT members,

Welcome to the November edition of FEMS news.

This month, we bring you exciting updates and insights from across the microbiology community:

Global milestone: The IUCN launches its first-ever Microbial Conservation Specialist Group—a major step for biodiversity and microbial advocacy, with a joint Editorial published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology.
Featured blogs: Discover topics like protein handover in virulence, microbes and magnets for sustainable energy, and evolutionary insights into carbon metabolism.
Podcast spotlight: Hear Prof. Max Haggblom share his inspiring journey from student author to Editor-in-Chief of FEMS Microbiology Ecology.
Plus, applications are open for the prestigious FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Travel Award for early career researchers to attend ASM Microbe in June 2026.

Stay informed, inspired, and connected with the latest in microbiology. Read the full newsletter below.

All the best,

The FEMS Team

IUCN Launches First Global Microbial Conservation Specialist Group

In an important move to support planetary conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced the creation of the Microbial Conservation Specialist Group (MCSG).

This milestone marks the establishment of the first global body dedicated to safeguarding microbial life and a major expansion of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC).

Find out more

New Microbes and Us Podcast: From First FEMS Paper to Editor-in-Chief | Episode 35

Learn from Prof. Max Häggblom, as he recounts his personal journey from publishing in a FEMS journal to becoming Editor-in-Chief of FEMS Microbiology Ecology.

In this conversation, recorded during FEMS MICRO Milan 2025 with Sam Burrell, our Interim Executive Publisher, we hear about the opportunities, community, and personal development created through joining a Scholarly Society such as FEMS.

Listen to the podcast

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 exciting special issues, topical webinars, and cutting-edge advancements.

Explore the latest editors choice articles:

FEMS Microbiology Letters - MSMEG_3978 (BlaE) from Mycobacterium smegmatis is an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase with a critical tyrosine residue governing its deacylation - Published: 19 September 2025
FEMS Microbiology Reviews - Hallmarks of DNA replication stress responses in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis - Published: 28 August 2025
FEMS Microbiology Ecology - Hydrology masks warming effects on microbial communities in salt marsh soils - Published: 11 October 2025
FEMS Yeast Research - The superior growth of Kluyveromyces marxianus at very low potassium concentrations is enabled by the high-affinity potassium transporter Hak1 - Published: 03 October 2025
FEMS Microbes - Biological soil crust microcolonies reveal how microbial communities assemble following retreat of a High Arctic glacier - Published: 10 June 2025
microLife - (most read) Functional and intricate interaction network connecting Helicobacter pylori Cag type 4 secretion system surface proteins with outer membrane proteins HopQ and HopZ - Published: 06 October 2025
Pathogens and Disease - (published article) Primary human nasal, nasopharyngeal, and bronchial epithelia show distinct immune responses to various pathogens - Published: 24 September 2025

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.

Immerse yourself within the dynamic world of microbiology with the #FEMSmicroBlog, your essential monthly resource for the latest news, recent studies, innovative discoveries, and insightful perspectives.

Explore our latest blog posts:

Protein handover for efficient virulence - Pathogenic bacteria have evolved many clever ways to survive and thrive inside the human body. The article “In situ analysis of type III secretion chaperone proteins indicates a cytosolic handover of virulence effectors” in FEMS Microbes sheds light on one molecular aspect of this protein secretion system: chaperones. Read the full blog.
Bacteria and magnets - a combo for increased carbon recovery - The need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels pushes scientists to look at the metabolic potential of microbes. The study “Electron conductive compounds alter fermentative pathways and cooperation in Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium acetobutylicum in co-culture” in FEMS Microbiology Ecology explores a bacterial co-culture to optimise bioalcohol production. Read the full blog.
Evolutionary insights into the bacterial carbon metabolism - All life shares the same carbon metabolism. However, enzymes differ, reflecting ancient evolutionary roots. That’s why the review “The early evolution of the glycolytic pathway from autotrophic origins to glycogen and back” in FEMS Microbiology Reviews argues that the metabolic pathway of glycolysis arose from gluconeogenesis in autotrophs. Read the full blog.

The #FEMSmicroBlog welcomes external bloggers, writers and SciComm enthusiasts. Get in touch if you want to share your idea for a blog entry with us.

News from our community

Update your myFEMS password or create an account

Our CRM system is back online following an infrastructure upgrade. When you log in to your myFEMS account, you will be prompted to reset your password before accessing the updated system for the first time.

Don’t have a myFEMS account yet? Now is the perfect time to create one and stay connected with the FEMS community. Log in or create your account here.

AMR Awareness week 18-24 November

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to rise across much of our health systems, environment, and society. It threatens decades of medical progress. However, there is hope. Science helping us understand this crisis is also accelerating.

Awareness starts with understanding the problem. Understanding starts with evidence. And evidence begins with the research.

For AMR Awareness week, we highlighted studies from across our journals that provides a better understanding of the topic. Explore more studies on the topic.

FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Travel Award for Early Career Researchers Now Open!

If you are (or know) a current PhD student or someone who earned their PhD in the last five years — with an accepted abstract — this could be your chance to showcase your work on an international stage and build global connections. Apply before 2 December.

Find out more

Opportunity of the month

Postdoc in Computational & Experimental Evolution

Location: Madrid, Spain

Application deadline: 17 December

We are seeking a highly motivated early-career researcher to apply with us for the upcoming Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship, funded by the Spanish National Research Agency (AEI).

Find out more

Deadlines

ASM-FEMS Travel Award - 2 Dec

Editor-in-Chief for FEMS Microbiology Reviews - 31 Dec

Call for papers: Astrobiology and Extremophiles - 31 Dec

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 - November 2025

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 11:59

Submit your abstract
The 20^th European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) is taking place in Antwerp, Belgium, on 28 June - 1 July 2026. The Congress will focus on the theme “Shaping Tomorrow: Biotechnology for Health, Food, Energy, Environment” addressing global challenges through collaboration across industry, academia, and other research organizations.

The Scientific Programme is now online — explore the sessions and speakers. The congress will feature four thematic streams:

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

Registration discounts:

Early bird registration is now open — take advantage of reduced fees until 26 April 2026
EFB Institutional Members receive an additional 10% discount on registration fees

A unique venue: A Room with a ZOO
ECB2026 will be hosted at A Room with a ZOO – Antwerp Convention Centre, an exceptional venue located in the heart of the city that combines modern facilities with nature and heritage. As the only congress centre in the world with its own ZOO, it offers an inspiring and unforgettable setting for scientific exchange.

Venue ECB2026

Registration and more information

Registration opens next week
The EFB Biobased Materials Division announces the second edition of the European Workshop on Biotechnology: Biobased Materials in Sion (Switzerland) on 2-5 February 2026.

This interactive workshop is designed for a small group of up to 20 participants and offers a truly hands-on learning experience focused on the latest developments in biobased materials.

Participants will benefit from a unique format that combines:

Expert-led lectures providing the latest scientific insights
Laboratory-based sessions to apply concepts directly at the bench
Close interaction with leading researchers and peers
Practical guidance to strengthen experimental and analytical skills

Ideal for early-career scientists, industrial researchers, and professionals seeking to deepen their practical expertise in biotechnology and sustainable materials.

Registration has opened and is limited to 20 participants. Priority admission will be granted to individuals who indicated their interest earlier, according to the chronological order of their registration..
Worksop biomaterials sponsors

More information

Abstract submission now open
Abstract submission is now open for the 9^th Conference on Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF) to be held on 8-11 September in Valencia, Spain.

PYFF is a premier international scientific event that brings together researchers from academia and industry working on the physiology, metabolism and genetics of yeasts and filamentous fungi, as well as their biotechnological applications.

We invite submissions of abstracts for both oral and poster presentations showcasing original work related to the conference themes:

Fungal physiology, metabolism, and evolution
Pathogenesis and resistance mechanisms
Synthetic and systems biology
Food and beverage fermentations
Fungal cell factories and biotechnology applications
Circular economy and sustainable production
AI and data science in fungal research

Deadline for submission: 15 May 2026

More information

ASBE8 coming in November
The Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE8) Conference will take place on 4–6 November 2026 at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK.

ASBE8 will explore the wealth of applied synthetic biology research and how it is contributing to progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sessions will be framed around the following synthetic biology application domains:

Factory: clean growth, bio-based materials, and alternative feedstocks
Pharma: cellular therapeutics, diagnostics, gene editing, and sustainable pharmaceutical production
Farm and field: crop improvement, soil and waste biotechnologies, and bioremediation
Computational design technologies: from proteins and circuits to microbial communities

Keynote speakers Keynote Speakers ASBE

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 benefits for EFB Institutional Members

As an Institutional Member of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), your company can enjoy special discounts on upcoming EFB-organized events. Here are some of the benefits:

Access to Europe’s leading biotech network: connect with over 25,000 professionals across the biotechnology sector.
Increased visibility: benefit from prominent logo placement and promotional opportunities across EFB’s official channels.
Engagement with emerging talent: network with early-career biotechnologists at events, job fairs, and recruitment sessions.
Cost savings: enjoy discounts on event registrations, exhibition spaces, sponsorship packages, and enhanced exposure.

MORE INFORMATION

We are glad to announce that EFB Patron, Novonesis joins the ECB2026 Congress as a main sponsor.
As an Institutional Member, you can take advantage of exhibition discounts at the ECB2026 Congress and other EFB events. This is an excellent opportunity to present your company and boost your visibility.
ECB2026 and Novonesis

MORE INFORMATION

The School of Engineering introduces the Digital Life Sciences program
Combinations of cutting-edge biotechnological, analytical, and (bio-)chemical processes are opening new perspectives for innovation. The School of Engineering reinforces its ongoing commitment in biotechnology with the launch of the Digital Life Sciences program, focused on education and research. In doing so, it strengthens its position as a Swiss hub in the application of digital technologies serving companies active in the life sciences sector. [+]

EuropaBio response to the EU Biotech Act public consultation
This month EuropaBio submitted its official response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the EU Biotech Act, setting out a bold vision for Europe’s biotechnology future. [+]

SCITECH Impulse Webinars at ACIB
The Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology acts as a hub for industrial research in an academic environment. As such, we would like to shed a light on our SCITECH Impulse webinar series, aiming at fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration across academia and indusry. Let’s delve into cutting-edge methodologies and applications that are transforming the field.[+]

Life Sciences Career Fair
We're here to empower your journey. The Life Sciences Career Fair stands as Austria's pre-eminent event, fostering the convergence of job-seekers and employers from all corners of the country. It's your chance to explore limitless career and further education opportunities, suitable for students, graduates, and young professionals with diverse experiences. The ÖGMBT, the platform for Life Science professionals in Austria. [+]

Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2026
The Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2026 will take place in Belfast on 13–16 April. With over 1,200 delegates, raise the visibility of your company to a network of researchers, educators, and industry professionals at one of the largest annual gatherings of microbiologists. [+]

NBC 2026 conference
The Dutch Association for Biotechnology NBV is proud to announce that the annual Dutch Biotechnology Congress NBC will take place on 22 September 2026, in the Jaarbeurs In Utrecht! At NBC, we connect industry and academia in a diverse program, combining the latest developments from academic research with contributions on industrial applications. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! [+]

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 Workshop
organised by the EFB Plant, Agriculture and Food Division
7 - 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

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

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

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

Your FEBS Network highlights

Monday, 24 November 2025 09:12

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: support schemes to help participation

Registration and abstract submission for the 50th FEBS Congress are open! Act early to apply to FEBS support schemes. Read more

FEBS Communications

Call for abstracts open for the FEBS Education and Training Conference 2026

FEBS Communications

FEBS Junior Section Speed Dating 2025

The FEBS Junior Section will, for the second time, organises a “Speed Dating” activity. An opportunity for students, young and senior researchers to meet and connect with each other from all around... Read more

FEBS Junior Section
Junior Section, FEBS

Empowering self-regulated learning: How generative AI is shaping higher education

Connie Pritchard
Teaching Associate and PhD student, Cardiff University

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

Call for Nominations: EurJIC-Wöhler Young Investigator Prize 2026

Thursday, 20 November 2025 04:07

The Wöhler Association for Inorganic Chemistry, a division of the GDCh, and the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry (EurJIC) are pleased to announce the

EurJIC-Wöhler Young Investigator Prize 2026

Call for Nominations

The prize will be awarded to an early career researcher of any nationality who has completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Chemistry, for an excellent scientific publication in a field within inorganic chemistry. The selected original research article, in which the candidate appears as one of the correspondence authors, should have been published within two years before the nomination. The nominee will be an independent researcher, but not yet in an established (or tenured) academic or industrial position.

Candidates can be nominated by researchers in industry or academia with responsibility in an appropriate field. Only in exceptional cases will self-nominations be considered. The EurJIC-Wöhler Young Investigator Prize is an international award, and nominations are welcome for candidates of all nationalities, races, genders, sexual orientations and countries of residence.

The selection will be made by a jury of representatives of universities and industry appointed by the board of the Wöhler Association, and by members of the Editorial Board of EurJIC. The decision of the jury is final.

The prize comprises a certificate and €1500.- and will be awarded at the “GDCh-Conference on Inorganic Chemistry” to be held in Jena, September, 2026. The prize is financially supported by Chemistry Europe, an association of 16 chemical societies from 15 European countries, representing over 75,000 chemists.

The complete nomination must be in English and must comprise a copy of the selected published original research article, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, and a list of scientific publications over the past 3 years of the candidate, and also a thorough justification of the nomination and an appraisal of the work of the nominee by at least one other university professor. For self-nominations, at least two such appraisals are required. Nominations should be submitted in electronic form by March 30^th, 2026, to the Wöhler Association for Inorganic Chemistry, GDCh-Geschäftsstelle, Dipl.-Biol. Nicole Bürger, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FEBS November News

Monday, 17 November 2025 09:56

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