EFB News

Biotechnology is no longer a collection of specialist disciplines evolving in parallel. It is becoming something broader, more connected, and far more consequential: a foundational technology shaping how Europe feeds itself, heals itself, powers itself, and sustains its environment.

The Conference on Physiology of Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi (PYFF) is a leading international scientific event held every three years, bringing together researchers from academia and industry working on the physiology, metabolism, and genetics of yeasts and filamentous fungi, as well as their biotechnological applications. Since its first edition in 2001 in Denmark, PYFF has provided a key platform for scientific exchange and collaboration in fungal biology.

The next EFB Executive Board meeting and General Assembly will take place in person on Sunday, 28 June, in Antwerp, Belgium.

The invited speakers for the Food Biotechnology Conference 2026 have been confirmed. The event will take place on 8–9 September 2026 in Sion, Switzerland, and will bring together leading experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest advances in food biotechnology. Organized by the Plant, Agriculture and Food Division of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), the conference will be hosted at the HES-SO Valais in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Abstract submission for the 20th European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) remains open until 19 April, with final slots still available for invited talks. Participants can also apply for flash poster and poster presentations. Early registration rates are still available for a limited time.

During an extraordinary meeting of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) Executive Board held on 24 March, the board addressed key matters following the passing of Jeff Cole.

Most of us knew Jeff Cole as a passionate champion of microbiology and biotechnology, a tireless advocate of international collaboration, and a leading authority on microbial metabolism and its regulation — what we know as microbial physiology.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Jeff Cole, former President and current Vice President of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), who passed away on 24 February.

The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) Executive Board met on 5 February to review current activities and future plans of the federation. During the meeting, the Divisions presented their annual reports, alongside updates from the New Biotechnology Journal and the EFB Central Office.

The Applied Synthetic Biology Europe ASBE8 conference is now open for registration and abstract submission. The event will bring together researchers, industry professionals, and students to explore advances in synthetic biology, from fundamental research to applied innovations.

Registration and abstract submission for the upcoming Food Biotechnology Conference will open soon. The event will take place on 8–9 September 2026 in Sion, Switzerland.

The plenary and keynote speakers for the 20th European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026), taking place in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2026, have now been announced. The confirmed speakers represent leading voices in biotechnology across academia and industry and will address key scientific and societal challenges shaping the field.

As we welcome 2026, we proudly look back on an exceptional year for the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). In 2025, we strengthened our mission to advance biotechnology through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. It was a year filled with activities and events that brought together experts from across the globe.

Explore how synthetic biology is tackling global challenges and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Connect, collaborate, and share your latest research with the international synthetic biology community.

Explore the latest advances in fungal physiology, metabolism, and biotechnology — where science meets innovation. A key meeting point for academia and industry driving the future of fungal research.

This exclusive hands-on event combines expert-led lectures, practical lab sessions, and unique networking opportunities. Limited to just 20 participants, it offers an immersive experience to explore the latest advances in biobased materials.

The 20th European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2026, and registration and abstract submission are now open. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of early bird rates and submit abstracts for invited talks, posters, or flash poster presentations.

The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) congratulates the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB)  and the Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (KSBB)  on the successful organization of the 17th Asian Congress on Biotechnology  (23–27 September 2025). The congress featured an excellent scientific program  and perfect organization , providing an outstanding platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The deadline for abstract submission and early bird registration for the 12th Conference on Recombinant Protein Production (RPP12) has been extended to 15 August 2025.

The KSBB-AFOB 2025 Conference will take place in Incheon, Korea, from September 23 to 27, 2025. The event combines the 40th Anniversary Meeting and International Symposium of the Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (KSBB) with the 17th Asian Congress on Biotechnology (ACB 2025), organized in collaboration with the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB).

The next EFB Executive Board meeting will take place on 13 June in Ghent, Belgium and online (hybrid). The General Assembly will be held online on 30 June at 12:00 CET. Members will receive invitations by email.

The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) is pleased to announce that the next European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB2026) will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, from 28 June to 1 July 2026

The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) held the Biotechnology for Extreme Environments Conference online on 9 April 2025, with participants from 17 countries. The event showcased pioneering research at the intersection of biotechnology and extreme environmental conditions.

We are excited to announce the Designer Biology ’25 meeting, the 5th edition of this event, co-organized by the EFB Bioengineering and Bioprocessing Division and the EFB Biobased Materials Division. The conference will take place from 29-31 July 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

The G4G2025 conference will be held from 1-4 September 2025 in Olomouc, Czech Republic, focusing on plant biotechnology topics like gene editing and sustainable agriculture. Register now for early bird rates and get free access to the Biotechnology in Extreme Environment Online Conference in April. Abstract submissions are open until 20 May 2025.

On 1 February, the EFB Executive Board convened in Barcelona for its first meeting of the year, with some members joining remotely. This meeting was the first session chaired by our newly appointed President, Prof. Francesc Gòdia.

The European Workshop on Biotechnology: Biobased Materials, held from 20 to 23 January 2025 in Sion, Switzerland, was a very successful event. Organized by the EFB Biobased Materials Division in collaboration with HES-SO Valais-Wallis and HEIA-FR, the workshop brought together attendees from Austria, Israel, Italy, Serbia, Spain, and Switzerland.

Join the Biotechnology in Extreme Environments online Conference, organised by the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) on 9 April 2025. The conference will showcase advancements in biotechnology designed for extreme environments, covering topics like space exploration, resilience to drought, heat, and global warming, and optimizing processes under industrial stress.

From 18-20 November, the Biocat4Value – Biocatalysis Conference for Biological Transformation along Renewable Value Chains took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, attracting over 60 participants from 18 countries. This three-day event provided a valuable platform for academia, industry, and startups to connect and exchange insights on the latest developments in biocatalysis.

The 7th Applied Synthetic Biology in Europe (ASBE7) conference, held on 6-8 November 2024 in Brno, Czech Republic, brought together 150 participants from 28 countries, creating a truly international event. Belgium, Spain, and the Czech Republic were the most represented countries, but scientists traveled from across Asia, South America, and North America as well.

The 12th Conference on Recombinant Protein Production – RPP12, a prestigious biennial event, will host its next edition in the city of Neu-Ulm, Germany, on 7-9 October 2025. Known for bringing together researchers, early career scientists and industry experts, the RPP12 Conference offers a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and showcasing the latest research.

The EFB Biobased Materials Division is pleased to announce a new event: the European Workshop on Biotechnology: Biobased Materials. This four-day training workshop is designed for a small group of participants and will feature both lectures and hands-on laboratory practice.

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming conference scheduled for 2025 in the beautiful city of Aveiro, Portugal. This events will bring together leading experts, researchers, and professionals to explore cutting-edge developments in green and environmental biotechnology. Mark your calendars and get ready to join us for this must-attend meeting!

We are pleased to announce the extension of abstract submission deadlines for two premier conferences in the field of biotechnology: ASBE7 and Biocat4Value Conferences. This extension provides an excellent opportunity for researchers, professionals, and students to share their latest findings and innovations with a global audience.

From 30 June to 3 July 3 2024, the 19th European Congress on Biotechnology ECB2024 made a successful return in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Traditionally held every two years, this year’s congress was particularly significant as it marked the first event since 2018, after postponement due to the pandemic.

On 30 June the Executive Board and the General Assembly meetings took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The online meeting “Plastics: challenges and biotechnological solutions” held on 20 March 2024 focused on the latest research and developments in biobased plastics, biodegradation, and the environmental impact of plastic waste.

The conference held from 6 to 8 March 2024 focused on research in extracellular electron transfer and its role in various biogeochemical processes.

“Green Deal Biotechnology”, a conference organized by the EFB Environmental Division, was held on 6-8 November 2023 in Poznań, Poland.

The 11th Conference on Recombinant Protein Production – RPP11 was held in Girona, Spain on 17-19 October 2023.

The 6th meeting on Microbial Responses to Stress - Microbial Stress 2023 was held at TU Wien, Vienna, Austria on 18-21 September 2023.