We are excited to announce that our postdoctoral fellow Sebastian Kreimendahl has been invited to speak at the 5th Global Virtual Symposium on Toxoplasmosis (TOXO-2026), taking place October 13–14, 2026, hosted by USG United Scientific Group.
Now in its fifth year, TOXO brings together researchers from around the world to share the latest advances in the basic and cell biology, host–pathogen interactions, immunology, epidemiology, and treatment of toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that affects over 40 million people worldwide. The symposium features an internationally recognized lineup of speakers spanning parasite cell biology, metabolism, structural biology, and drug discovery.
Sebastian's talk, titled "Chaperone Mimicry by a Parasite Effector Triggers Mitochondrial Membrane Shedding," will present his work uncovering how Toxoplasma manipulates host mitochondria during infection. Building on his PhD work characterizing the mitochondrial protein TOM70, Sebastian's research in the Pernas Lab explores how host organelles interact with microbial compartments, how infection rewires organellar networks, and what these changes mean for both host and pathogen.
Being invited to present at this symposium is a wonderful recognition of Sebastian's research and his growing reputation in the fields of mitochondrial and parasite biology. We look forward to him sharing this exciting work with the international toxoplasmosis research community.
Please join us in congratulating Sebastian on this well-deserved opportunity! 🎉🧬