From 9 to 11 September 2026, the 16th “Molecular Biology of Fungi” Meeting of the VAAM section “Biology and Biotechnology of Fungi” was held at TU Braunschweig. For the fourth time, this biennial meeting was jointly organized with the GenAG “Fungal Genetics” of the German Genetics Society (GfG). This well-established collaboration provides an important platform for exchange among researchers working in fungal genetics, cell biology, and biotechnology.

The scientific program featured seven invited lectures by internationally renowned scientists, as well as 28 additional talks selected from submitted abstracts. Together, the presentations covered a broad spectrum of current research in fungal genetics, cell biology, and biotechnology. The program was complemented by a total of 76 poster presentations.

A special new feature was the “15 Seconds of Fame” poster pitch, introduced for the first time at this year’s meeting. Particularly for early-career researchers, this format offered the opportunity to present their work in just 15 seconds and draw attention to their poster ahead of the subsequent poster session. The short presentations provided a lively and engaging addition to the scientific program.

Thanks to financial support from the GfG, three poster prizes were awarded to early-career researchers. A jury of experienced scientists selected Nora Kühne (University of Göttingen) for her work on the role of the signal peptide peptidase Spp1 in suppressing plant defense responses by the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis. Jessica Oberst (KIT, Karlsruhe) received a prize for her studies on the function and localization of the GprC receptor in the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys flagrans. Lina Strzelczyk (TU Braunschweig) was recognized for her structural and functional studies of the protein EOP-1 and its role in calcium-mediated interactions between germinating spores.

Each poster prize was endowed with €200.

Poster prize ceremony: President of the German Genetics Society (GfG), Stefanie Pöggeler, presents the certificates to Nora Kühne (University of Göttingen), Jessica Oberst (KIT, Karlsruhe), and Lina Strzelczyk (TU Braunschweig) for their award-winning posters.

The 16th edition of the symposium once again offered a diverse scientific program and numerous opportunities for personal exchange and networking. Now in its fourth joint edition with the GenAG “Fungal Genetics,” the meeting highlighted the value of the continued collaboration between the GfG and VAAM and helped further strengthen connections within the fungal research community across the two scientific societies.

Members of the GfG Executive Board at the “Molecular Biology of Fungi” symposium (from left: Sigurd Braun, Stefanie Pöggeler, Daniela Nordzieke, Krisztina Kolláth-Leiß, Kai Heimel).