Panoramic view of Ostrava city skyline, the host location for ISE 2026 conference

ISE 2026 Ostrava

Czech Republic  |  September 14th to 18th

We are excited to announce
The 16th International Colloquium on Endocytobiology and Symbiosis

Logo of the International Society of Endocytobiology, the organizer of ISE 2026 conference

Following the previous meeting of this series, held in 2023 in Chicago, we are now moving to Europe—specifically to a city located exactly on (and divided by) the historical border between Moravia and Silesia. The meeting, held under the auspecies of the International Society of Endocytobiology, will cover diverse aspects of the biology of endosymbionts, organelles, and related topics. Therefore, if you work in these fields or are simply curious about them, do not hesitate to join us.

Portrait of Karel Šulc (1872-1952), prominent Czech biologist and researcher of endosymbionts
Karel Šulc (1872-1952)

The meeting will have two special features. First, it will commemorate the Czech biologist Karel Šulc . He spent the first two decades of the 20th century in (what is now) Ostrava, working as a physician while, in his spare time, investigating the microanatomy of insects. This research led him to the discovery of endosymbionts in some insect species such as cicadas. He was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize, and the extensively studied endosymbiotic bacterium Candidatus Karelsulcia was named in his honour, underscoring the significance of his scientific achievements.

Portrait of Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), the founder of modern genetics born near Ostrava
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)

Second, the conference dinner will be held in the village of Hynčice near Ostrava, at a beautiful estate where Gregor Mendel was born and raised. We believe that many biologists may welcome the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to this remarkable place!

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

PROGRAM & FORMAT

The final program will depend on the number of participants and will be announced after the registration deadline.

Please note that the meeting is scheduled to take place in person only . Streaming of presentations will not be available.

TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS

We offer a limited number of travel grants to students and early-career researchers (postdoctoral researchers within four years of obtaining their PhD degree):

  • €500 for participants traveling from overseas (North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia)
  • €200 for participants traveling from Europe

To apply, please send an email to marekelias1978@gmail.com. In your application, briefly describe your motivation for attending the meeting, indicate whether you wish to present a talk or a poster, and attach an abstract of your presentation (maximum 250 words). Please include “ISE2026 – Travel Grant Application” in the subject line of your email. The application deadline is June 30, 2026. Applicants selected for a travel grant will be notified by July 10, 2026.

EARLY CAREER PRIZES

During the symposium, two prizes will be awarded among participating early career scientists (students and postdocs within the first four years after obtaining their degree):

ISE Prize for an outstanding oral presentation

Peter-Sitte Prize for an outstanding poster presentation

LOCAL ORGANIZER

Marek Eliáš
University of Ostrava
Faculty of Science, Department of Biology and Ecology
Chittussiho 10, 710 00 Ostrava
Czech Republic
Email: marekelias1978@gmail.com

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Peter G. Kroth
President of the ISE
University of Konstanz, Germany
Ansgar Gruber
Secretary of the ISE
Biology Centre ASCR, Czech Republic
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