The South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

19/06/2026

We are proud to present the plenary speakers for the 27th IUBMB Congress 2027. These distinguished scientists represent the forefront of Biochemical & Molecular Biology research and will help shape the conversations that define the future of the field. We look forward to welcoming them & our global community in 2027.

Registration & Abstract Submission Open 1st September 2026!

Speakers | 27th IUBMB FASBMB SASBMB Congress

09/06/2026

📘 Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology – Volume 1507

This volume documents the scientific contributions and highlights of the 28th Congress of SASBMB.

📖 Published as Volume 1507 of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology series, this open-access book archives select peer-reviewed research presented at the conference.

📍 The 2024 congress, hosted by the University of Venda at the Protea Ranch Resort in Polokwane, marked several historic milestones for the Society. Coming a year after the 50th anniversary of the society, it stood as the largest congress in SASBMB history with over 400 delegates and represented the first time the event was held in Limpopo province.

🔬 The thematic areas of the congress included:
• Protein biochemistry
• Computational and structural biology
• Omics science
• Enzymology and metabolism
• Infectious and parasitic diseases
• Noncommunicable diseases
• Drug discovery
• Phytomedicine and biotechnology

🎤 Under these themes, 12 talks, 87 short talks, and 211 posters were presented.

🏅 The preface provides an overview of the congress, including the Silver Award recipient (Prof Thulani Makhalanyane, SUN) and Gold Award recipient (Prof Ed Sturrock, UCT). Chapter 1 includes abstracts from talks by local and international plenary speakers.

📚 The peer-reviewed research compiled in this volume, in the form of nine book chapters, reflects the strides made to provide data-driven solutions to regionally relevant health challenges.

🧬 The chapters encompass crucial topics in modern therapeutics, starting with structure-based drug discovery for cardiovascular disease and human population-specific pharmacogenomics.

🦟 Infectious diseases are prominently featured, with updates on:
• Global malaria public health status
• Novel molecular anti-malarial targets
• The prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in rural communities

📊 The book also documents recent advancements in managing non-communicable diseases, exploring the roles of obesity and type 2 diabetes in brown adipose tissue dysfunction, alongside mechanisms for colon cancer mitigation.

🌿 Finally, the publication covers sustainable biotechnological innovations, detailing eco-friendly ultrasonic-assisted aqueous extraction of bioactives from Moringa oleifera and transcriptomic mapping of the native medicinal tree Warburgia salutaris.

💻 Society members can access the full electronic text directly through the SpringerLink portal:

SpringerLink – Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Volume 1507 - https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-24254-9?as=webp&utm_source=chatgpt.com

09/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Mahlatse Moseri!

SASBMB is proud to recognise Mahlatse Moseri, recipient of the SASBMB Graduation Prize at the University of Limpopo.

The SASBMB Graduation Prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in the biochemical and molecular biosciences. We congratulate Mahlatse on this accomplishment and wish them every success in their future studies and career.

📸 Pictured from left: Mahlatse Moseri receiving the award from Dr Kgomotso Poopedi, SASBMB Council Member.

04/06/2026

Congratulations to Bernadette Belter from University of the Free State 🇿🇦, who has been awarded the 2026 PROBio-Africa Fellowship to work in Dr. Lizbé Koekemoer’s lab at the 🇬🇧.
We wish her much success!

04/06/2026

Don't miss out!

📢 Deadline Extended to June 15!

Apply for the IUBMB MilliporeSigma ENABLE-Africa Fellowships. Up to 5 fellowships are available for biochemistry and molecular biology trainees from African countries to attend the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE Conference.
https://iubmb.org/activities/fellowship-programs/iubmb-milliporesigma-enable-africa-fellowships/

https://febs-iubmb-enableconference.org/registration-and-travel-grants/

03/06/2026

Young Scientists — Your Global Research Opportunity Starts Here!

Applications will open in 2026 for the Young Scientist Programme (YSP 2027), a two-day scientific and networking event taking place 17–19 September 2027 near Stellenbosch, South Africa, just before the 27th IUBMB Congress in Cape Town. (iubmbcongress2027.co.za)

This exclusive programme brings together outstanding PhD candidates and early-career researchers from around the world for:
- Lectures by leading biochemists & molecular biologists
- Research presentations by participants
- Panel discussions with established scientists from academia and industry
- Networking & social events with global peers (iubmbcongress2027.co.za)

Selected participants receive fellowships that include:
- Free attendance at the Young Scientist Programme
- Free registration for the IUBMB 2027 Congress
- Travel cost contribution
- Accommodation for the duration of the YSP 2027 and a contribution towards accommodation costs for the Congress (iubmbcongress2027.co.za)

Eligibility includes:
• PhD candidates or early-career researchers (within 10 years of PhD)
• Members of an IUBMB-affiliated society (if available in your country). Provide a cover letter if the IUBMB-affiliated society is not available in your country
• First-time YSP participants (iubmbcongress2027.co.za)

The programme aims to attract a diverse global cohort, with special emphasis on Africa - this is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow on a global stage.

Applications open in 2026 — start preparing now!

Learn more:
https://www.iubmbcongress2027.co.za/young-scientist-program-2027/

Young Scientist Programme 2027 Young Scientist Programme 2027 On behalf of the IUBMB FASBMB SASBMB Organising Committee we are delighted to invite applications from early career researchers to participate in a two-day scientific and networking event prior to the IUBMB 2027 Congress. The Young Scient...

01/06/2026

For the first time in its history, the IUBMB Congress is coming to Africa.
In September 2027, leading researchers, educators, innovators, and students from across the world will gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 27th IUBMB/FASBMB/SASBMB Congress.
This is more than a scientific meeting. It is an opportunity to connect global excellence with emerging scientific leadership, creating new partnerships that transcend borders and disciplines.
Whether your research focuses on molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, health sciences, structural biology, genetics, or drug discovery, IUBMB 2027 will provide a platform to engage with the world's leading minds.

Join us as we make history together.
https://www.iubmbcongress2027.co.za/

📍 Cape Town, South Africa
📅 19–23 September 2027

29/05/2026

Have you seen the plenary speaker lineup for the IUBMB-FASBMB-SASBMB Congress 2027?
The 27th IUBMB Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, will bring together an outstanding group of scientists whose discoveries have shaped biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, structural biology, and biomedical research.

Speakers Plenary Speakers Gordon BrownUniversity of Exeter Gordon Brown completed a Ph.D at the University of Cape Town and following Wellcome Trust Fellowships at the University of Oxford and then at the University of Cape Town, he moved in 2009 to the University of Aberdeen as a Professor of Immun...

29/05/2026

25/05/2026

🎓✨ Congratulations to Kagiso Eagle Lesetla from North-West University on receiving the 2026 SASBMB Graduation Prize as the top 3rd year Biochemistry student at the Mahikeng campus! 🧬🔬

The South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is proud to recognise Kagiso’s academic excellence and dedication throughout his studies 👏

Pictured alongside Kagiso are Prof Francois (Executive Dean), Prof Roelien Goede, Prof Mazibuko-Mbeje (Deputy Dean: QA and Postgraduate Studies), and Prof Thebe Medupe (Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning). 🌟

We wish Kagiso continued success in his future academic and scientific endeavours!