Young WMU Researchers Host Their Own Session at the 13th Congress of the Polish Medical Diaspora
2026-09-18
Open lecture by Prof. Marc Diederich
2026-09-29
The Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology at Wroclaw Medical University invites you to an open lecture by Valter Péter Pfliegler, PhD, from the University of Debrecen, entitled “Genomic characteristics and medical significance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae including Saccharomyces boulardii.”
The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Wroclaw Medical University, 211 Borowska Street, room W3.
Valter Péter Pfliegler, PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology at the University of Debrecen. His research focuses on genomic analyses and fungal phylogenomics, particularly the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used for centuries in food production and has also become an important model organism in scientific research. One variant, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, is widely used as a probiotic in the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea. However, in patients at increased risk, these yeasts may also cause infections, including potentially life-threatening fungemia.
One of the research areas pursued by Dr Pfliegler’s team is the genomic diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hungarian researchers are contributing to a genomic database comprising nearly 6,000 isolates collected worldwide from clinical, industrial and environmental sources. Comparing their genomes makes it possible to investigate relationships between individual isolates, determine their potential origins, and identify genetic characteristics associated with pathogenicity and drug resistance.
Dr Pfliegler will visit Wroclaw Medical University as part of the Excellence Initiative – Research University (IDUB) programme.
The event is open to everyone and admission is free.
The lecture will be held in English.
When: 7 October 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 211 Borowska Street, room W3
