AFB Conference 2025

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Association of Fungal Biologists, India is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual meet along with an International Conference. This conference aims to offer a forum for researchers, educators, industry professionals, and students to collaborate, gain insights, and discuss advances, opportunities, and challenges in fundamental and applied mycology. The event will include keynote addresses, lecture sessions, panel discussions, and poster presentations covering a wide range of topics, including recent breakthroughs in fungal biodiversity studies, biology, biotechnology, and conservation. Fungi have been known for centuries, but recent developments in evolutionary comprehension have distinguished them as distinct life forms, offering significant opportunities for deeper investigation into their biology, diversity, and evolutionary histories, ranging from yeasts and filamentous fungi to mushrooms. Renowned for their crucial ecological roles in decomposition, symbiotic and endophytic relationships with higher plants, and parasitic interactions with plants and animals, fungi are well known. However, they have remained mysterious, underexplored, and insufficiently documented. Progress in sequencing technologies holds the potential for substantial advancements in comprehending the diversity, functions, and evolutionary relationships within the fungal realm. However, many aspects of this knowledge are still unresolved. 

While fungi have garnered recognition as a valuable resource for many basic and applied research endeavors, only a fraction have been extensively studied across various sectors, including agriculture, food, health, and industry. The landscape of fungal biology is evolving rapidly, with fungi assuming a crucial role in mainstream biology as model organisms. However, the emergence of new diseases, the development of resistance to existing antifungal agents, and growing environmental concerns present pressing challenges, necessitating effective strategies for mitigation. Besides, the ongoing destruction of natural habitats and the depletion of the diverse fungal gene pool pose significant obstacles, underscoring the need for a strategic plan for the conservation of fungal resources for future generations in alignment with the framework outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Indian Biodiversity Act and Rules. In recent years, advancements in modern technologies have narrowed the disparities between traditional and contemporary methods, strengthening interdisciplinary approaches and increasing the significance of the frontiers of mycology. With this background, this International Conference is envisaged to facilitate discussions on bridging the gap between conventional and modern approaches in mycology.

We cordially invite you to participate in this International Conference and update your knowledge alongside experts from academia, research institutions, and industries. This interaction will facilitate the acquisition and dissemination of innovative ideas on fungal biology and its role in sustainable development.

Objectives

1. To bring together researchers, experts, and enthusiasts from various disciplines.

2. To provide a platform to gather and share knowledge, insights, and advancements in the field of fungal biology, biodiversity, and biotechnology.

3. To facilitate networking opportunities, disseminate cutting-edge research, and inspire participants to further contribute to the field of mycology.

4. To foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches for studying and harnessing the potential of fungi.

5. To advance the understanding of fungi and their significance in addressing global challenges, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting overall well-being.

Themes of the Conference

The conference will address the following themes, and participants are encouraged to present within these areas:

1. Myco-diversity, Taxonomy, Systematics and Myco-tourism

2. Prospects of Fungal Conservation and Regulatory Framework

3. Clinical and Medical Mycology

4. Host-parasite Interaction and Biology of Fungal Endophytes

5. Fungal Molecules and Enzymes for Diverse Applications

6. Prospects of Cultivation of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms

7. Fungal Biomass, Bioenergy and Sustainable Uses

8. Bioinformatics and Molecular Approaches in Mycology

9. Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Fungal Biology

10. Prospects of Fungal 'Omics’

11. Fungi in Agriculture

12. Fungi in Industry

13. Fungi in Nanotechnology

14. Lichenology

15. Interdisciplinary (poster presentation only)

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