EFB February Newsletter

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In Memoriam: Professor Jeff Cole

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Professor Jeff Cole, former President and current Vice President of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), on 24 February.

Professor Cole devoted many years to the EFB, serving in several leadership roles and contributing greatly to the federation and its community. An Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at the University of Birmingham, he was widely respected for his work in microbial physiology.

An obituary page has been opened for those who wish to learn more about Professor Cole’s life and legacy.

Obituary

Abstract submission deadline extended

The abstract submission deadline for the European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) has been extended until 29 March 2026. Join us in Antwerp, Belgium, from 28 June to 1 July 2026, and present your research in one of the following scientific streams:

Innovations for healthy living

Solutions for a sustainable planet

Manufacturing with microbes

Feeding the planet

There are still slots available for 15-minute invited talks, flash poster presentations and poster presentations.
New submission deadline: 29 March 2026

ECB2026 - Feeding the planet

The congress includes four scientific streams, including “Feeding the planet”. The following presentations will be featured:

Developing stress resilient crops
Salma Balazadeh, University of Leiden (The Netherlands)
Gene editing for crop improvement
Holger Puchta, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany)
Novel crops design
Edwin van der Vossen, Solynta (The Netherlands)
Soil as a living system
Sofie Goormachtig, VIB-UGent Center of Plant Systems Biology (Belgium)
New food landscape
Mark Post, CSO Mosa Meat (The Netherlands,)
Sustainable strategies in agriculture
Veronique Bergougnoux, Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic)

The full scientific programme is available on the website.

Plenary speakers
ECB2026 keynote speakers and sponsors

Registration

Registration and abstract submission open

The Food Biotechnology Conference will take place on 8–9 September 2026 in Sion, Switzerland, at HES-SO Valais. Organized by the Plant, Agriculture and Food Division of the EFB, the conference invites researchers to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations. Deadline: 31 May 2026

Conference topics:

Sustainable food ingredients through biotechnological innovation
Fermentation and upcycling in food systems
Microbiome-active foods and health functionality
Enabling technologies in Food Biotechnology
Ethics, regulation, and societal impact of Food Biotechnology

Meet the speakers
Food Bio speakers

Registration

Registration and abstract submission open

The 9th Conference on Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF9) will be held in Valencia, Spain on 8-11 September 2026.
Abstract submission is now open for oral or poster presentation, until 24 May 2026.

Meet the speakers:

Eva Balsa-Canto, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas-CSIC (Spain)
Paola Branduardi, University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy)
Carole Camarasa, University of Montpellier-INRAE (France)
Pascale Daran-Lapujade, TU Delft (The Netherlands)
Ronald de Vries, LIST (Luxembourg)
Antonio di Pietro, University of Cordoba (Spain)
Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Imperial College London (UK)
Gianni Liti, CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN (France)
Emilia Mellado, National Center for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute (Spain)
Vera Meyer, Technische Universität Berlin (Germany)
John Morriessey, University College Cork (Ireland)
Uffe Mortensen, Technical University of Denmark (Denmark)
Arthur Ram, Laiden University (The Netherlands)
Joseph Schacherer, University of Strasbourg (France)
Verena Siewers, Chalmers University oof Technology (Sweden)
Matthias Steiger, TU Wien (Austria)
Patrick Van Dijck, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Kevin Verstrepen, KU Leuven (Belgium)

Registration

Registration and abstract submission open

The 8th Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE8) Conference on 4–6 November 2026 will take place at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, UK.
Abstract submission is now open for oral or poster presentation, until 19 July 2026.

Meet the speakers
ASBE8 speakers

Registration

At ECB2026, the European Congress on Biotechnology, editors will reveal publishing secrets. Please attend the conference and the following session!

Editor session: publishing articles as if we were Nobel Laureates
Your years of hard work have generated sufficient data for publications. However, as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and a starting faculty member, drafting manuscripts, selecting perfect journals, writing cover letters, and responding to harsh reviews and rejections might mean the beginning of headaches, rather than the preparation for celebration of big achievements. This conference session covers the myth and fact of publishing, including tips for manuscript drafting and revision preparation, explanation of the review process from the angle of reviewers and editors, and advice by current editors and productive authors.

Confirmed panelists and speakers:

Tae Seok Moon, an editor of 10 journals, including the editor-in-chief of New Biotechnology (Elsevier), the official journal of European Federation of Biotechnology and Asian Federation of Biotechnology.
Alex Munro-Clark, an editor of Trends in Biotechnology (Cell Press), a partner journal of Elsevier and high-impact journal covering research and review articles.

More information about ECB2026 Congress

Share your reseach in the New Biotechnology Green Deal Biotechnology Special Issue

For more information contact events@efbiotechnology.org

Special benefits for Institutional Members at ECB2026
EFB Institutional Members can benefit from exclusive discounts for the European Congress on Biotechnology - ECB2026 Congress:

Reduced registration fees for congress participation
Discounted rates for exhibition booths
Special conditions for sponsorship opportunities

Institutional Members’ Visibility at ECB2026 During ECB2026, a panel discussion will explore the role of the European Federation of Biotechnology and EFB Institutional Membership in today’s Europe and the wider world. As the independent “Voice of Biotechnology in Europe”, EFB brings together academia, industry, and policymakers to drive scientific collaboration and innovation.

Learn more about ECB2026 Congress

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS

FEMTCI 2026: Advancing Integrative Medicine
The 16th FEMTCI Congress, part of EUROCAM, will take place 29–31 May 2026, in Peñíscola, Spain, under the motto: “Integration and Science: Building Bridges Between Conventional Medicine and TCM.” It will gather professionals, researchers, and organizations in integrative health for over 40 presentations and workshops, networking, an exhibition, and a scenic location fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. [+]

Olomouc scientists participated in a study published in Science
Scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University contributed to a study published in the prestigious journal Science revealing a completely new mechanism that enables plants to form vascular tissue for efficient transport of water and nutrients. The research, led by the University of Cambridge and the University of Helsinki, may help optimize crop growth and the production of materials such as wood, paper, and bioproducts. [+]

Kuhner Science Fund
The Kuhner Science Fund supports researchers and academic institutions by facilitating access to high-quality laboratory equipment. With grants ranging from CHF 2,500 to CHF 10,000 for new Kuhner shakers, the initiative helps scientists accelerate their research and unlock new discoveries. Are you interested in applying or learning more? Contact us at sciencefund@kuhner.com

The ESACT MEETING
Join the ESACT community in 2026! ESACT2026 in Austria will bring together scientists and industry leaders to exchange the latest advances in animal cell technology. In addition, ESACT Courses in Spain offer focused training led by experts, combining theory and practical insights. Don’t miss these opportunities to connect, learn, and advance your expertise. [+]

NWO Life
During the annual Dutch conference for life scientists, NWO Life, a focus session proposed by the NBV will be organized, titled: “Biotech Horizons: Fundamental Science Meets Global Impact.” NWO Life will take place on 28–29 May 2026 in Egmond aan Zee. The focus session will feature speakers from both academia and industry to foster dialogue and illustrate the impact of biotechnology. [+]

Swiss Biotech Day: Meet the global biotech community in Basel
On 4–5 May 2026, we will once again host the Swiss Biotech Day, bringing together more than 3,000 participants from across the international life sciences ecosystem. The conference features inspiring keynote speakers, dynamic panel discussions and extensive partnering opportunities. Join industry leaders, innovators, and investors to exchange ideas and explore new collaborations. Discover the program and secure your participation. [+]