Announcements

Conference: Nutrients 2026—Clinical Nutrition: From Research to Practice
Date: 22–24 October 2026
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026

We cordially invite you to attend this event organized by MDPI’s Nutrients (ISSN: 2072-6643, impact factor: 5.0, CiteScore: 9.1). It will take place from 22 to 24 October 2026 at UAB Casa Convalescencia, Barcelona, Spain.

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez, University of Connecticut, USA;
• Prof. Dr. Lluis Serra Majem, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
• Dr. Francisco Jose Perez Cano, University of Barcelona, Spain.

The topics of interest:
S1. Personalized nutrition based on diet–gene interactions;
S2. Innovations in clinical nutrition;
S3. Novel dietary recommendations for specific chronic diseases;
S4. Understanding the role of microbiota in clinical practice;
S5. The potential role of AI in clinical practice;
S6. Lifestyle and prevention of chronic diseases.

Plenary speaker announcement:
We are honoured to have Dr. Carlo La Vechia, from the University of Milan (“La Statale”), Italy, as Nutrients 2026 Plenary Speaker for Session 6: Lifestyle and prevention of chronic diseases.

Other renowned researchers from internationally prestigious universities and institutes, including Yale School of Public Health, University of Connecticut, Qatar University, Icahn Medical School of Mount Sinai, and many more, are contributing with us as keynote speakers and scientific committee members.

To view all contributing researchers, please click the following links:
https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#event_chairs .

Academic supporters:
Nutrients 2026 is currently supported by and partnered with esteemed universities, institutes, and societies.

To view all supporting organizations and partners, please click on the following links:
https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#sup_org.

Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submissions: 24 June 2026;
Notification of acceptance: 20 July 2026;
Deadline for early bird registration: 24 July 2026;
Deadline for covering author registration: 24 July 2026.

Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1496.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding abstract submission, poster and slide submission, and publication opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section below: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact nutrients2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at Nutrients 2026.

Conference: Nutrients 2026—Clinical Nutrition: From Research to Practice
Date: 22–24 October 2026, CEST, Barcelona, Spain
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026

We cordially invite you to attend this event organized by MDPI’s Nutrients (ISSN: 2072-6643, impact factor: 5.0, CiteScore: 9.1). It will take place on 22 to 24 October 2026, CEST, in Barcelona, Spain.

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez, University of Connecticut, USA;
• Prof. Dr. Lluis Serra Majem, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

The Topics of Interest:

S1. Personalized nutrition based on diet–gene interactions;
S2. Innovations in clinical nutrition;
S3. Novel dietary recommendations for specific chronic diseases;
S4. Understanding the role of microbiota in clinical practice;
S5. The potential role of AI in clinical practice;
S6. Lifestyle and prevention of chronic diseases.

Important Dates

Deadline for abstract submissions: 24 June 2026;
Notification of acceptance: 20 July 2026;
Deadline for early bird registration: 24 July 2026;
Deadline for covering author registration: 24 July 2026.

Guide for Authors

To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1496.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding abstract submission, poster and slide submission, and publication opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section below: https://sciforum.net/event/Nutrients2026?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact nutrients2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at Nutrients 2026.

Conference: KMB 2026 53rd Annual Meeting and International Symposium
Booth Number: N/A
Date: 24–26 June 2026
Location: HICO, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

KMB is a leading academic organization in Korea dedicated to microbiology, biotechnology, and related multidisciplinary fields. KMB 2026 53rd Annual Meeting and International Symposium (KMB 2026) aims to foster academic networking and human exchange through various sessions covering the entire spectrum of microbiology and biotechnology.

MDPI is excited to join KMB 2026 as an exhibitor. Taking place in Gyeongju from 24 to 26 June 2026, this conference will be a major opportunity for advancement of the bio-industry.

We warmly welcome all attendees to our booth to share their valued research findings. We look forward to the opportunity to engage in professional exchange and explore how we can support your scholarly journey through potential collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• IJMS;
• Microorganisms;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Fermentation;
• JoF;
• Antibiotics;
• Bacteria;
• Epigenomes;
• Foods;
• Immuno;
• Microbiology Research;
• Plants;
• SynBio;
• JGBG;
• Marine Drugs.

Our team is excited to welcome you to our booth for a face-to-face discussion and to assist with any of your inquiries. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://www.kormb.or.kr/abstract/2026_spring/.

MDPI is excited to collaborate with the Universidad Miguel Hernández to host an exclusive academic publishing workshop aimed at empowering researchers with the knowledge and tools needed for successful academic publishing. This workshop will cover key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing model, including journal selection, editorial workflow, and publication ethics. Participants will receive practical tips on improving their scientific writing and addressing reviewer comments, guided by experienced editors.

Date: 26 May 2026
Time: 16:00–17:30
Venue: Universidad Miguel Hernández, Campus de Orihuela

Schedule:

Chair:

Speakers:

Mr. Iñigo Artistizabal is a biochemist with strong expertise in the academic publishing industry. He joined the MDPI office in Barcelona as an Assistant Editor in November 2017 and has worked as a Section Managing Editor and later as Senior Journal Relations Specialist, helping journals with scholarly meetings and booth attendance at both virtual and in-person conferences.

Ms. Paula Navarro is a biotechnologist with more than 7 years of experience in the scientific publishing industry. She joined MDPI in January 2018 and, having previously held several roles (including Assistant Editor, Section Managing Editor, and Group Leader), she currently works as a Senior Deputy Managing Editor. She has participated in numerous meetings with scholars and has represented MDPI at several international conferences.

Conference: 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas
Date: 12–17 July 2026
Location: Cairns, Australia

From 12 to 17 July 2026, MDPI will be attending the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The International Mycorrhiza Society, the umbrella society of the biennial International Conference on Mycorrhiza (ICOM), is dedicated to advancing education, research and development in the field of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Our work is of international significance; our conference attracts delegates from across the globe, with members from over 40 countries and an attendance of 450 to 600 people from academia, government and industry.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cairns for an unforgettable experience at the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas!

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• JoF;
• Plants;
• Microorganisms;
• Agronomy;
• Nitrogen;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Crops;
• Horticulturae;
• IJPB;
• JGBG;
• Life;
• Bacteria;
• Agriculture.

MDPI will be attending the 61st Croatian and 21st International Symposium on Agriculture in Brač, Croatia, which will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2026. This event is organized by the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer, University of Osijek, and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, in collaboration with numerous esteemed partners. The conference aims to showcase groundbreaking scientific, professional, and educational contributions from both Croatian and international experts, facilitating their effective translation into agricultural practice. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among scientists from various universities, research institutes, university alliances, and industry specialists—including producers from Croatia, Europe, and around the world—all united by a shared commitment to advancing science and agricultural innovation. If you are attending the conference, please visit our booth; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• Agriculture (leading);
• Crops (leading);
• Agronomy;
• Agrochemicals;
• Foods;
• AgriEngineering;
• Life;
• Horticulturae;
• Grasses;
• Poultry;
• Plants.

Plants (ISSN: 2223-7747) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David Collings as Section Editor-in-Chief (SEiC) of the “Plant Development and Morphogenesis” Section. 

Dr. David Collings completed his PhD at the Australian National University in 1994. He conducted postdoctoral research at Wageningen University (The Netherlands), Osaka University (Japan), North Carolina State University and Purdue University (USA). From 2002 to 2007, he was an ARC Research Fellow within the Research School of Biological Sciences at the Australian National University, and from 2008 to 2016 was a member of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand). Between 2016 and 2020, he was based at the University of Newcastle, and from 2023 was an Honorary Fellow in the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University in Canberra. In 2026, he rejoined the University of Canterbury. While his research initially focused on the structures and functions of the plant cytoskeleton and, in particular, interactions between microtubules and actin microfilaments, from about 2005 his research moved towards an understanding of the cell wall. His research group’s main focus is currently the development and function of phi thickenings, unusual secondary cell wall bands that develop in the cortex of plant roots. 

The following is an interview with Dr. David Collings: 

1. Could you briefly reflect on the key opportunities that led you to pursue an academic career? Which experience has had the most profound impact on you?

Becoming a plant biologist surprised me: I had not studied biology as a high school student, and so becoming a biologist was neither planned nor even considered when I began as an undergraduate student at the University of Sydney in the 1980s. In fact, I only selected biology as my final first year course to fill a gap in my timetable, and through that year, it was probably my weakest subject. As an undergraduate student in plant biology, and then subsequently as a PhD student, I was fortunate to have excellent teachers and role models, and I look back on their encouragement and training with gratitude. And then as a postdoc, I was able to travel the world and work in different instiutions in multiple countries, with a year spent in Osaka in Japan in Professor Shibaoka’s group as a JSPS postdoctoral fellow being particularly valuable. It was the ability of these mentors to foster my interest in the plant world that led me to follow an academic career. In the end, I guess that the thing that attracted me most to plant biology was the chance to solve problems, and I still get great satisfaction when ideas and concepts finally click into place. 

2. Which development directions or technological breakthroughs in your field are you most optimistic about in the next 3–5 years?

‘Optimistic’ is the interesting word in this question, and I guess I remain somewhat ambivalent about how technology is changing our studies of plant growth and development. Certainly, bioinformatics and single cell technologies have been a boon for understanding plant growth and development, but too often I see publications in which this type of bioinformatic data has not been accompanied by good science validating the bioinformatics data. Good science does not always need the latest technology, and there is no substitute (yet) for good thinking. It will, however, be fascinating to see how the AI revolution changes how we conduct science. But if I had to name one technology whose development over the next few years will be critical for understanding plant development and morphogenesis, it is the prospect of machine learning being used to process and quantify complex imaging data. 

3. What advice would you give to young scholars and early-career researchers regarding topic selection, perseverance, and mindset?

These are tough times to be a scientist in many parts of the world, with budget cuts and employment pressures continuing to mount. For students and early career researchers, three things stand out to me. These ideas are not new: they are the same things I was told when I started on this road but they remain true today. 
First, remain inquisitive. Keep talking to and asking questions of your colleagues, and keep reading widely, not just in your own area of specialisation. But above all, keep thinking new ideas. I tell my students that even if 95% of my ideas turn out to be wrong, as long as I have a hundred ideas, some are bound to be good! Second, don’t be a ‘one trick pony’. Make sure you master different techniques to make yourself more employable. If you are studying bioinformatics, learn some cell and developmental biology as well. But if you are an imager, make sure that you learn some of the cool molecular techniques that have been developed. And third, publish your work. Our research is typically paid for by our institutions and grants, and we have the responsibility to these funding bodies to make sure that our research is published. But getting your research into a publishable form takes time and effort, and you cannot rely on your supervisors getting the work completed, so help them by finishing your experiments, and writing up everything that you can! 

4. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?

As scientists, we have a responsibility to publish our work, and if the public pays for our research, then the public has a right to read what we have done. A move to open access publications not only benefits researchers from institutions who cannot access journals hidden behind paywalls, it also means that the public can readily access the research if the wish to. And this is good. The publishing system, however, remains under pressure with the volume of material that is being published, and the speed with which manuscripts to be turned around. As part of the scientific community, we need to ensure that quality of published science is retained through the peer review system. 

5. How do you envision the future of the Section “Plant Development and Morphogenesis”?

In recent decades, research has focused intensely on model species such as Arabidopsis and crop species such as wheat, rice, maize and the legumes. There are, however, more than several hundred thousand species of land plants and many of these species show very interesting aspects in their growth and development. I hope to foster a diversity of research topics in the “Plant Development and Morphogenesis” Section from non-model and non-crop species. 

We warmly welcome Dr. David Collings as the Section Editor-in-Chief of “Plant Development and Morphogenesis”, and we look forward to him leading Plants to achieve many more milestones.

Conference: The 32nd Intentional Horticultural Congress
Organization: The Japanese Society for Horticultural Science
Date: 23–28 August 2026
Place: The Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) in Kyoto, Japan

Compared to other agricultural and plant science fields, horticultural science is the field of science that focuses on a great diversity of plants from domesticated plants (crop plants) to wild plants. Furthermore, horticulture covers a wide range of fields from social sciences to medical sciences. It also covers a wide range of professions in the horticultural industry, including scientists, growers, distributors, and marketers.

The theme of IHC2026 is “Exploring the Diversity of Horticulture”, which seeks to highlight the diversity of horticulture and share its applications to contribute to the richness of future human life.

Please come explore with us the integrated science of horticulture, combining social science, natural science, the best in basic agricultural practices, the latest technological advances in robotics, genetics, and applications. From small household operations for local farmer’s markets, to large-scale integrated supply chain management and logistics for global production, the IHC2026 will present the latest horticultural findings, practices, and future directions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Plants;
• Horticulturae;
• Agronomy;
• Agriculture;
• Life;
• International Journal of Plant Biology (IJPB);
• Seeds.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

We are pleased to announce that the Editor's Choice Articles (Part II) for publications in 2025 are now available. Editor’s Choice Articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal. You are welcome to read the articles at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/plants/editors_choice.

Observed annually on 12 May, the International Day of Plant Health is a United Nations initiative that calls global attention to the critical role of healthy plants and the urgent need to protect them from pests and diseases. The theme for 2026, “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”, positions plant biosecurity as the first line of defense for the world’s food systems.

As a committed academic partner in plant protection, crop science, microbiology, and sustainable agriculture, MDPI leverages its open‑access publishing platform to disseminate cutting‑edge research. On the International Day of Plant Health 2026, MDPI journals in in the Biology & Life Sciences actively supports cross‑disciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange on plant health, crop biosecurity, and food systems by showcasing relevant articles, Special Issues, and journals. Our goal is to help strengthen phytosanitary capacities across countries and regions, thereby building a solid barrier for the security and stability of global food supply chains.

“Plant Hormone Regulation of Competitive Growth: Implications for Agriculture and Inclusive Fitness”
by Jasmina Kurepa and Jan A. Smalle
Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020024

“Genomic and Phylogenetic Evidence for a Novel Emaravirus Infecting Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Amazonas, Peru”
by Angel F. Huaman-Pilco, Nicola Fiore, Oscar P. Hurtado-Gonzales, Larissa Carvalho Costa, Xiaojun Hu, Manuel Oliva-Cruz, Jorge R. Díaz-Valderrama and Alan Zamorano
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2025, 16(4), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16040142

“Linking Soil Microbial Functional Profiles to Fungal Disease Resistance in Winter Barley Under Different Fertilisation Regimes”
by Mariana Petkova, Petar Chavdarov and Stefan Shilev
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3199; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203199

“Antioxidant Defense Systems in Plants: Mechanisms, Regulation, and Biotechnological Strategies for Enhanced Oxidative Stress Tolerance”
by Faustina Barbara Cannea and Alessandra Padiglia
Life 2025, 15(8), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081293

“Deciphering Cowpea Resistance to Potyvirus: Assessment of eIF4E Gene Mutations and Their Impact on the eIF4E-VPg Protein Interaction”
by Fernanda Alves de Andrade, Madson Allan de Luna-Aragão, José Diogo Cavalcanti Ferreira, Fernanda Freitas Souza, Ana Carolina da Rocha Oliveira, Antônio Félix da Costa, Francisco José Lima Aragão, Carlos André dos Santos-Silva, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon and Valesca Pandolfi
Viruses 2025, 17(8), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17081050

“Unlocking Plant Resilience: Metabolomic Insights into Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops”
by Agata Głuchowska, Bartłomiej Zieniuk and Magdalena Pawełkowicz
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060384

“Microbially Enhanced Biofertilizers: Technologies, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications”
by Sylwia Figiel, Piotr Rusek, Urszula Ryszko and Marzena Sylwia Brodowska
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051191

“Effective Strategies for Managing Wheat Diseases: Mapping Academic Literature Utilizing VOSviewer and Insights from Our 15 Years of Research”
by Ioannis Vagelas
Agrochemicals 2025, 4(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4010004

“Humic Substances: Bridging Ecology and Agriculture for a Greener Future”
by Angela Maffia, Mariateresa Oliva, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Serenella Nardi and Adele Muscolo
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020410

“Plant Biostimulants to Enhance Abiotic Stress Resilience in Crops”
by Luciana Di Sario, Patricia Boeri, José Tomás Matus and Gastón A. Pizzio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031129

“ROS, an Important Plant Growth Regulator in Root Growth and Development: Functional Genes and Mechanism”
by Jialin Su, Yumei Liu, Fengqing Han, Fuxin Gao, Fangyi Gan, Ke Huang and Zhansheng Li
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121033

“Exploring the Origins of Hexaploid Wheats: Typification of Archaeological Triticum vulgare var. antiquorum and Description of Modern Triticum sphaerococcum subsp. antiquorum (Poaceae: Triticeae)”
by Diego Rivera, Pedro Pablo Ferrer-Gallego, Concepción Obón, Francisco Alcaraz, Emilio Laguna and Nikolay P. Goncharov
Taxonomy 2024, 4(4), 780-794; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4040042

“Cadmium Stress Signaling Pathways in Plants: Molecular Responses and Mechanisms”
by Valentina Vitelli, Agnese Giamborino, Andrea Bertolini, Alessandro Saba and Andrea Andreucci
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(6), 6052-6068; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46060361

“Plant Health in the Context of Fungal and Other Microbial Threats: Systematics, Pathogenesis and Integrated Management” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yi Zhou, Dr. Jinglong Zhou and Dr. Jianwei Jiang Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2026	“Fungal Diseases of Cereals” Guest Editors: Dr. Lorenzo Covarelli and Dr. Giovanni Beccari Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2026
“Plant Life: Integrating Multi-Omic Approaches from Molecules to Environment” Guest Editors: Dr. Sen Meng and Dr. Fang He Deadline for submissions: 25 September 2026	“Plant Stress Resilience: Unveiling Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies” Guest Editor: Dr. Giuseppe Mannino Deadline for submissions: 20 November 2026
“Biological Control: Insect-Plant Interactions for Sustainable Pest Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi, Dr. Rostislav Zemek and Dr. Eduardo Soares Calixto Deadline for submissions: 10 December 2026	“Monitoring, Management and Ecotoxicological Implications of Plant Fungal Disease Control” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gil Rodrigues dos Santos and Dr. Eugenio E. Oliveira Deadline for submissions: 31 December 2026

The 3rd International Online Conference on Agriculture Organizers: MDPI and Agriculture Volume Editor: Bin Gao Highlights: “Genetically Modified Crops as a Strategy for Reducing Pesticide Dependence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Benefits, Adoption Constraints and Policies” by Chijioke Christopher Uhegwu and Christian Kosisochukwu Anumudu “Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Carvacrol-Rich Essential Oils: In Vitro Study on the Phytopathogenic Fungi Alternaria and Fusarium” by Vasileios Papantzikos, Georgios Patakioutas and Paraskevi Yfanti Click here to read the full list of papers.