The Kafatos Lecture returns in 2026 with a very special edition. Organized by EMBL, the Lecture honors the legacy of the distinguished Greek biologist Fotis Kafatos, founding Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB).

In 2026, IMBB will host the Lecture, welcoming Svante Pääbo, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2022), as the keynote speaker. Renowned for his pioneering work on decoding Neanderthal DNA, Pääbo will explore how ancient genomes illuminate the biology and health of modern humans.

Lecture title:
“A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins and Health:
How Ancient DNA Is Revealing New Insights into Disease and Biology”

Join us on October 9, 2026, at IMBB, FORTH (Heraklion) for an inspiring day of science and discovery, celebrating the enduring impact of Greek and international research. This lecture will bridge cutting-edge genomics with fundamental questions about what it means to be human.

The lecture will be held in English.