The most encountered group are algae of the Prototheca genus, which cause opportunistic infections (protothecosis) in humans and animals. Although this serious and often fatal infection is increasing in incidence, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, public health and clinical awareness of these unusual pathogens is extremely limited. They are rarely suspected and often misdiagnosed. Moreover, treatment of Prototheca infections can be challenging due to drug resistance.Medical Phycology extends also to other peculiar microorganisms, including those of the Helicosporidium, Pythium, and Lagenidium genera, whose obscure or intricate taxonomic position leaves them outside major branches of microbiology.

In the context of the growing importance of algae as potential human and animal pathogens, it is essential to bring up this issue to a wider audience. This also gives a further spur to the inception and development of medical phycology as a new research field.

The purpose of the Symposium is to introduce and promote this new field of science, but, most importantly, to provide a deeper insight and recognition to the biology and clinical relevance of algal infections or infections due to often neglected and orphan microbes.

The Medical Phycology Symposium is an opportunity to participate in the inaugural event on emerging algal pathogens in human and veterinary medicine.

The programme will be delivered by globally-recognized experts and research leaders working on pathogenic algae. Various aspects of these microorganisms will be addressed by the speakers, including taxonomy, molecular biology, and drug resistance.

Please, join us for this exceptional event.

Tomasz Jagielski, PhD, DSc