We are thrilled to announce that our postdoctoral fellow Sebastian Kreimendahl has been accepted to give an oral presentation at the 2nd Membrane Contact Sites Conference, taking place November 4–7, 2026, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. On top of this achievement, Sebastian has also been awarded one of the conference's competitive registration grants, given to a limited number of outstanding students, postdocs, and junior faculty to help support their attendance.
This meeting brings together leading researchers to explore how organelles communicate through membrane contact sites (MCS) — specialized zones where organelles come into close contact to exchange molecules, coordinate metabolism, and integrate signaling, all without fusing together. The conference features an impressive lineup of invited speakers, including our own PI, Lena Pernas, who will also be presenting, alongside leaders in the field studying contacts between the ER, mitochondria, lysosomes, and beyond.
Being selected for an oral presentation is a competitive honor, as talk slots are limited and often oversubscribed. Sebastian's talk will showcase his work on the interactions between mitochondrial proteins and intracellular pathogens, reflecting his growing expertise at the intersection of mitochondrial biology and host–pathogen conflict.
This recognition speaks to the quality and originality of Sebastian's research, as well as his talent for communicating it to the broader scientific community. We are excited for him to represent the lab on this international stage and to share his work with researchers who are shaping the future of the membrane contact sites field.
Please join us in congratulating Sebastian on this exciting achievement! 🎉🧬