Alastair Simpson poking a new petalomonas at @protistologyopen.bsky.social #protistsonsky

PLENARY TALK INTRODUCTION (6/6) Prof. Nowacki will focus on newly identified protective mechanism that prevents erroneous DNA excision in the zygotic genome of Paramecium. We are excited to welcome him as our last plenary speaker on April 22nd at 14:00 at Protistology Open 2026!

ISOP-sponsored symposium on protistan symbioses across the Tree of Life went fantastic! Thanks all contributors (Ondrej, Gillian, and @mixotrophe.bsky.social) and the best co-host, @nicolecoots.bsky.social! #ProtistsOnSky @protistologyopen.bsky.social

@ambonacolta.bsky.social and I co-hosted (and gave talks in) a special symposium for @protistologyopen.bsky.social today. It was super fun to put this together, & glad all of these amazing scientists were able to join us!! @mixotrophe.bsky.social

Evening programme for April 20th at Protistology Open 2026! Find additional information about the events (i.e.when and where) on our profile.

Lunch programme for April 20th at Protistology Open 2026! Coffee breaks and lunch break: outside of all confrence halls ISOP-sponsored symposiums: Congress hall Confrence photo: Garden Parallel sessions: 1-Microbial Interactions: Congress hall 2-Trypanosomatids: Bruncvík hall 3-Apicomplexa: Libuše

Morning programme for Protistology Open 2026!

Protistology Open 2026 Find your way around the hotel!

Welcome to the first day of Protistology Open 2026! Registration is now happening in the entrance hall of Grand Hotel International! In the afternoon, we are pleased to host the first ever Mentoring event! And in the evening, let’s enjoy a welcome drink!

PLENARY TALKS INTRODUCTION (5/6) Prof. Worden’s will focus on photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, exploring the forces that determine their growth and fate,predators like choanoflagellates and rhizarians. We are excited to welcome her as our fifth speaker on April 22 at 8:30 at Protistology Open 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFO – TALKS Please take note of details regarding talks listed above. If you have any following questions, feel free to ask. We are excited to hear your talks at Protistology Open 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFO – POSTER SESSIONS Please take note of the poster session details listed above. If you have any following questions, feel free to ask. We are excited to see your posters in two separate poster sessions at Protistology Open 2026.

PLENARY TALKS INTRODUCTION (4/6) In his upcoming talk, F. Söderbom will explore the role of highly expressed ncRNAs (Class I RNAs) in the evolution of multicellularity in dictyostelid social amoebae. We are excited to welcome him as our 4th speaker at Protistology Open 2026, on April 21 at 14:00!

PLENARY TALKS INTRODUCTION (3/6) Dr. Massana’s research addresses the phylogenetic and functional diversity of marine eukaryotic microbes, with a focus on the “black box” of heterotrophic flagellates. We are excited to welcome him as our third speaker on April 20 at 10:00 at Protistology Open 2026.

ISOP is pleased to invite student members to the Protistology Open Student night on April 20 (19:00-22:00) at The Pub Device, Prague 6. Enjoy a relaxed evening with dinner, drinks, protist trivia and a fun “make your protist” sculpting station - bring your creativity!

PLENARY TALKS INTRODUCTION (2/6) Dr. Victor Tobiasson will tackle one of the key problems in evolutionary biology, the origin of eukaryotes, focusing mainly on the contributions of Asgard archaea. We are excited to welcome him as our second speaker on April 20 at 9:30 at Protistology Open 2026.

We are pleased to announce the first mentoring event co-sponsored by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the International Society of Protistologist. Join us on April 19th, in Prague to connect, exchange experiences, and support early-career protistologist.

PLENARY TALKS INTRODUCTION (1/6) David Montagnes, retired Reader at the University of Liverpool (UK), has authored over 100 papers and received the prestigious Ciliate Cravat. We are excited to welcome him as our first speaker on April 20 at 9 AM at Protistology Open 2026.

Alongside the main sessions of Protistology Open 2026, a range of additional events will be available, including a mentoring event, guided tours through the historical centre of Prague, and a student night for ISOP student members. Follow us for more information and updates.

Welcome to the official page of Protistology Open 2026! This conference brings together researchers and scientists in protistology to present their findings, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues. Here you will find updates, the daily programme, and selected highlights from the event!