On 19-20 May, IM2B, LISM and IMM hosted the Kick Off Meeting on the Joseph Aiguier campus, marking the start of the organization of the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 2027 international conference in Marseille.

Initiated by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) and the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB), in partnership with the biomedical research institutes Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona (IRB Barcelona) and European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM), this conference will bring together several hundred young researchers from all over the world to discuss microbiology in the autumn of 2027.

A key moment to launch the collective dynamic

For two days, around thirty participants met to lay the foundations for this future conference, working within various committees:

  • the 2027 scientific organizing committee, comprising PhD students from six European countries, including two from the LCB laboratory;
  • the local organizing committee,  consisting of members of the JSM3 association;
  • the 2026 Scientific Organizing Committee, organizers of the conference scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in Krakow, Poland, who came to share their experience and recommendations.

The program alternated between presentations, working sessions, collaborative workshops and informal exchanges. Discussions addressed the major organizational challenges: structuring the scientific program, choosing themes, identifying guest speakers and coordinating teams. These two days also provided an opportunity for the Marseille hosts to show all participants around their city.

An international conference for early-career scientists

The FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE conference series, launched in 2017 as part of a European project, has established its reputation as a major event for early-career researchers in the molecular life sciences. Organized by and for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, these interdisciplinary meetings consist of a two-day scientific symposium and a day dedicated to scientific careers and the professional development of young researchers. It's also an opportunity to  to engage in science communication and raise public awareness.

The 2027 edition, which will take place over three days in the autumn in Marseille, will fully contribute to this international and collaborative dynamic, whilst highlighting local scientific excellence in microbiology.

The role of the JSM3 association

The involvement of the JSM3 association in the scientific committee and the local organizing committee is a major asset for the organization of this event. Drawing on its experience in organizing the Junior Scientists Microbiology Meeting of Marseille, the last edition of which was held on May 21 and 22, 2026, the the PhD students’ association brings invaluable expertise in scientific leadership and logistical management.

This involvement demonstrates the ability of young researchers in Marseille to engage actively in international projects, thereby enhancing the visibility of the local scientific community.

A collective effort supported by IM2B

LISM, IMM and, through JSM3, all the IM2B laboratories, are collaborating with the institute to make this conference a unique opportunity for the entire IM2B scientific community to highlight the diversity of its expertise, the quality of its research and the richness of its ecosystem. This is a strategic lever to enhance IM2B’s attractiveness to international scientific talent, particularly within the framework of the European COFUND project, Microbio-SEED, which will enable the recruitment of 10 international postdoctoral researchers from 2027.

This Kick Off Meeting brought together a dynamic and motivated team who will work together over the next eighteen months to organize an inspiring event for the next generation of molecular life science researchers. It marks the start of a collective adventure, driven by the energy and commitment of young researchers, and will put the Aix-Marseille site in the spotlight within this international scientific community.