Conference

The 39^th Molecular Biology of Plants Conference (MBP2026) of our Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology brought together leading scientists, early-career researchers, and industry representatives at the Sportschule Hennef from 16^th to 19^th March 2026. Held under the patronage of the DBG Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology (SPPMB), the meeting once again provided an inspiring platform for scientific exchange and networking within the international plant science community. Main conference organiser Hans-Henning Kunz (LMU Munich) summarises the meeting that he and his team organised together with Christopher Grefen (Ruhr University Bochum) and Andrea Bräutigam (Bielefeld University). He not only reports about current research areas and developments in molecular plant research, but also explains who of the early-career researchers (ECRs) were awarded with prizes. MBP2026 showcased the latest advances in molecular plant research and reflected the diversity, innovation, and collaborative spirit of the field.

For the 38^th time, the Molecular Biology of Plants conference (MBP2025) brought together around 190 scientists in North Rhine-Westphalia, from 10^th to 13^th February 2025. Under the patronage of the Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology (SPPMB) of the German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG), the meeting once again provided a platform for PhD students, postdocs, and group leaders to present their latest research findings and engage in fruitful scientific discussions. Organised by Christopher Grefen (Ruhr University Bochum, RUB) together with Ute Höcker (Cologne) and Henning Kunz (Munich), this year's meeting provided a great cross-section of modern molecular plant sciences, with slightly more submissions on topics related to biotic interactions, molecular physiology, as well as cell and developmental biology. Conference Chair Grefen provides the details.

40^th Conference (MBP2027)

The next Molecular Biology of Plants Conference is scheduled to take place at the same location from 8^th to 11^th February 2027 and will be organised by Prof. Dr. Sascha Laubinger (Halle, Saale), Prof. Dr. Andrea Bräutigam (Bielefeld), and Prof. Dr. Hans-Henning Kunz (LMU, Munich).

39^th Conference (MBP2026)

The Molecular Biology of Plants Conference took place in Hennef, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, under the patronage of the Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology (SPPMB) of the German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG) from 16^th to 19^th March 2026 and was organised by Prof. Dr. Andrea Bräutigam (Bielefeld), Prof. Dr. Hans-Henning Kunz (LMU, Munich), Prof. Dr. Christopher Grefen (Bochum).

Confirmed keynote speakers were: 

• Prof. Kris Niyogi (UC Berkeley, USA): photosynthetic energy conversion and its regulation in algae and plants
• Prof. Karin Schumacher (Heidelberg University, DE): ATPase function and relevance for vacuoles and plant cells under abiotic stress.