Update

MBP2026: Programme, talks and posters

The programme of the upcoming Conference Molecular Biology of Plants (#MBP2026) in Hennef, Germany, taking place from 16th to 19th March 2026 including keynotes, sessions and posters is ready.

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MBP2026: Registration is closed

Registration to participate in the conference was open until 23rd November 2025. 

The conference "Molecular Biology of Plants #MBP2026" will take place at Sportschule Hennef, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 16th to 19th March 2026. Looking forward to see you in Hennef!

SPPMB · Conference Report

Molecular Biology of Plants conference 2025

Almost 200 plant scientists met at the Sportschule in Hennef to discuss latest research results. Photo: Aron Struß, RUB

For the 38th time, the Molecular Biology of Plants conference (MBP2025) brought together around 190 scientists in North Rhine-Westphalia, from 10th to 13th 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.

more on DBG's website
Conference

39th Conference (MBP2026)

The next Molecular Biology of Plants Conference is scheduled to take place at the same location from 16th to 19th March 2026 and will be organised by Prof. Dr. Andrea Bräutigam (Bielefeld), Prof. Dr. Hans-Henning Kunz (LMU, Munich), Prof. Dr. Christopher Grefen (Bochum).

Confirmed keynote speakers are: 

  • 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.

Important dates

27 October 2025: start of registration and title contribution
23 November 2025: end of registration
19 December 2025: end to apply for one of the limited travel grants
Mid of January 2026: People will be informed about acceptance

Invitation 

Dear colleagues and friends,

For the 39th time, the Molecular Biology of Plants conference (MBP2026) held from 16th to 19th March 2026 will bring together around 190 scientists at Hennef Sports School, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Under the patronage of the Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology (SPPMB) of the German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG), the meeting will provide a platform for PhD students, postdocs, and group leaders to present their latest research findings and engage in fruitful scientific discussions. MBP2026 is grateful for the support of participating industry partners.
Organized by Hans-Henning Kunz (Munich) together with Christopher Grefen (Ruhr University Bochum, RUB) and Andrea Bräutigam (Bielefeld), MBP2026 invites applications from a wide field of molecular-focused plant sciences e.g., molecular physiology, developmental biology, cell and stress biology, and structural biochemistry. 

Conference Chair Hans-Henning Kunz and his team are looking forward to seeing you in Hennef and to provide more details at MBP-2026 [at] bio.lmu.de

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