Confronting fungal infections: A molecular approach at HFP2026
Fungal infections are increasingly recognized as a serious and neglected threat to global health. While some cause mild mucocutaneous disease, others lead to life-threatening invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Mortality rates for systemic fungal infections can exceed 50%. The challenge is further compounded by limited access to quality diagnostics, a narrow arsenal of antifungal drugs, and the emergence of resistance. Yet despite these growing concerns, fungal infections remain severely under-recognized and underfunded. With limited surveillance data on disease distribution and resistance patterns, the true global burden is difficult to assess — but it is already clear that millions of patients are affected each year.
Understanding fungal virulence, host-pathogen interactions, and resistance mechanisms at the molecular level is essential to addressing these gaps. Advances in genomics, RNA biology, and immunology are transforming our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and opening new paths for therapeutic innovation.
To support research and training in this evolving field, the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'HFP2026: Molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and virulence in human fungal pathogens' will take place from 16–22 May 2026, in La Colle-sur-Loup, France.
The course will feature keynote lectures, plenary talks, workshops, and selected participant presentations. Scientists at all stages — from PhD students to senior researchers and those in industry — are invited to join this fully residential event and take part in shaping the future of fungal biology.
Interested in attending the course? Visit the course website for more details. We also invite you to read this FEBS Network post from Florabelle Cabarrubias, a PhD student who participated in the 2024 version of the course.
For more information about the FEBS Advanced Courses programme visit the FEBS website.
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Top photograph provided by the course organizers of attendees at the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course 'HFP2024: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence in Human Fungal Pathogens'.
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