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52nd New Phytologist Symposium

Structural biology at the plant-microbe interface

Explore the latest applications of X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), and computational methods for structure prediction and protein design for the study of molecular plant–microbe interactions

21 March 2028 - 25 March 2028
University of Tübingen, Germany

In the decade since the 36th New Phytologist Symposium explored cell biology at the plant–microbe interface, life sciences have undergone a revolution led by two Nobel Prize-winning structural biology technologies: cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and, more recently, AI-assisted protein structure prediction. Cryo-EM has delivered long-sought structures of plant immune receptor complexes, unfolding the mechanistic basis of pathogen recognition and reshaping our view of plant immunity. At the same time, AlphaFold and related tools now provide structural models for virtually entire proteomes, radically transforming the scale and scope of research in molecular plant–microbe interactions.

The 52nd New Phytologist Symposium “Structural biology at the plant–microbe interface” will bring together researchers at all career stages who study pathogenic and beneficial interactions at the structural level. The programme will showcase the latest advances in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), and computational methods for structure prediction and protein design, bringing the plant science community up to speed on a fast-evolving field. With dedicated opportunities for early career researchers and students to present their work and engage with senior scientists across disciplines, this symposium aims to spark new collaborations and identify the key open questions the community will pursue in the years to come.

 Organising Committee:

  • Juan Carlos De la Concepcion, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany (Chair)

  • Florian Altegoer, Heinrich Heine University, Germany

  • Adam Bentham, Durham University, United Kingdom

  • Mauricio Contreras, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany

  • Kira Gysel, Aarhus University, Denmark

  • Josephine Maidment, Plant Health Institute Montpellier (PHIM),  France

  • Megan Outram, Australian National University, Australia

  • Ralph Panstruga, Aachen University, Germany

This symposium is planned for Spring 2028, attendance at this symposium will be by application only. Applications will open in late spring of 2027, and close in Autumn of 2027.

Further information to be announced, sign up to our events mailing list to be the first to know about updates.