From May 2-4, 2022, the first International Joint Meeting Infection Biology and Antibiotics took place in Berlin. Doctoral researchers from the Leibniz-HKI, the University of Greifswald and the Swedish National Doctoral Programme in Infection and Antibiotics came together for a stimulating scientific exchange. In oral and poster presentations, they discussed their projects and the latest research in bacterial and fungal infection biology and antibiotic discovery. The program was rounded off by invited lectures from renowned international scientists:

Juan A. Hermoso from Madrid presented insights into the structural biology of the bacterial cell wall, Anna Blom from Lund University impressed the audience with the intricacies of the complement system and Muriel Gugger from the Institut Pasteur in Paris unveiled the potential of cyanobacteria as producers of natural products.

There was also time to explore Berlin and to delve into the rich medical history with a guided tour at the campus of the Charité Universitätsmedizin.

The excellent presentations by the doctoral researchers were evaluated by the invited speakers and by the audience. It was a tough decision, but in the end, the following presentations were selected for the presentation awards:

Best oral presentations:

• Sophia Hitzler, Leibniz-HKI: Albumin promotes pathogenicity of (non)-damaging Candida strains
• Felix Trottmann, Leibniz-HKI: Discovery and biosynthetic origin of cyclopropanol-substituted toxins in human pathogenic bacteria

Best poster presentations:

• Max Brendel, Greifswald University: Deciphering the role of proteins involved in CPS and teichoic acid anchoring and influence on the innate immune response
• Hannah Büttner, Leibniz-HKI: Bacterial endosymbionts protect beneficial soil fungus from nematode attack
• Sarah Vielreicher, Leibniz-HKI: Differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and mycobiota in laboratory mice and effects on colonization with C. albicans

Congratulations to all awardees!