The Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology at Wroclaw Medical University invites you to a lecture by Dr Valter Péter Pfliegler from the University of Debrecen entitled “Genomic characteristics and medical significance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae including Saccharomyces boulardii”. The event will take place on Wednesday, 7 October, at 1:30 p.m. at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Wroclaw Medical University.

Dr Valter Péter Pfliegler is affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology at the University of Debrecen. His research focuses on genomic analysis and fungal phylogenomics, particularly on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used for centuries in food production and is also widely used in scientific research. One variant of this species – Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii – is commonly used as a probiotic in the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea. However, in at-risk patients, these yeasts can also cause infections, including life-threatening fungemia.

One research area pursued by Dr Valter Péter Pfliegler’s team is the genomic diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Hungarian researchers are contributing to the development of a genomic database comprising nearly 6,000 isolates collected from different parts of the world and originating from clinical, industrial and environmental sources. Comparing their genomes makes it possible to investigate relationships between individual isolates, determine their possible origins, and identify genetic traits associated with the ability to cause infections and with drug resistance.

Dr Valter Péter Pfliegler will visit Wroclaw Medical University as part of the Excellence Initiative – Research University programme.

The event is open to everyone interested. Admission is free.

The lecture will be delivered in English.