WELCOME MESSAGE

Dear Colleague,

Molecular plant protection has entered a decisive era in which biology, regulation, technology, and entrepreneurship no longer advance in parallel, but converge into a single transformative force. Over the past two decades, advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene editing, RNA interference, peptide science, microbial and symbiont engineering have fundamentally reshaped entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. These tools no longer merely describe biological systems; they actively direct molecular outcomes in agriculture. Sustainability, once an aspiration, is now emerging as a measurable and testable biological architecture.

Within this global transformation, the International Molecular Plant Protection Congress (IMPPC) series has evolved into one of the world's leading platforms shaping the molecular future of plant protection.

IMPPC2019 (Adana) marked the first global declaration of molecular plant protection as a standalone scientific discipline, bringing together 42 keynote speakers and pioneering discussions.

IMPPC2023 (Bursa) expanded this vision with 87 keynote speakers and 41 participating companies and was defined by the Opening Lecture of Prof. Craig C. Mello, whose discovery of RNA interference directly connected fundamental biology to modern RNAi-based agricultural technologies.

Building on this accelerating legacy, IMPPC2027 will take place on May 23-27, 2027, at the Limak Limra Hotel, Antalya, Türkiye, co-organized by Ankara University and leading institutions of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, including the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, the General Directorate of Food and Control, and the Department of Training and Publication.

IMPPC2027 will convene more than 100 keynote and invited speakers, senior regulators, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, forming one of the most comprehensive global gatherings ever assembled in molecular plant protection. Bringing together international experts in molecular entomology, molecular plant pathology, and molecular weed science, the congress serves as a unique platform where science, innovation, regulation, and implementation converge under the theme:

One Wor(l)d: Sustainability

The scientific foundation of the congress is strengthened by the participation of three Nobel Laureates whose discoveries transformed modern molecular biology:

• Prof. Brian Kobilka (2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) – pioneer of GPCR biology and receptor-targeted molecular systems underpinning peptide-based innovation.
• Prof. Craig C. Mello (2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine) – discoverer of RNA interference and the scientific foundation of RNAi-based crop protection.
• Prof. Martin Chalfie (2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) – pioneer of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), revolutionizing molecular visualization and diagnostics.

Molecular Futures Summit – Where Science Meets Industry

A flagship feature of IMPPC2027, the Molecular Futures Summit is a Davos-style executive forum bringing together Nobel Laureates, CEOs, founders, investors, and senior industry leaders to discuss the future of crop protection.

Structured around two high-level discussions, The Future of RNAi in Plant Protection and The Future of Peptides in Plant Protection, the Summit explores how molecular innovations move from discovery to commercialization, regulation, investment, and real-world agricultural impact.

Moderated by Nobel Laureates Craig C. Mello and Brian Kobilka, the Summit creates a unique platform where scientific breakthroughs are discussed alongside business strategy, market adoption, and global implementation. In a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, the Molecular Futures Summit is designed to connect the individuals and organizations shaping the next generation of crop protection technologies.

A Scientific Program Led by Global Authorities

The IMPPC2027 scientific program spans RNAi- and peptide-based biopesticides, microbial and symbiont-based technologies, enzyme platforms, resistance management, molecular diagnostics, biotechnology, and regulatory science. Together, these disciplines define the operational architecture of sustainable agriculture and embody the congress vision of One Wor(l)d: Sustainability.

Regulatory Roundtable – Global Leadership in Action

At the core of IMPPC2027 lies the Global Regulatory Roundtable on Next-Generation Biopesticides, a high-level forum designed to bring together regulatory authorities, scientific leaders, and industry decision-makers to discuss the future evaluation and harmonization of RNAi-, peptide-, and microbial-based technologies.

Moderated by Prof. Russell L. Groves (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA) and Achim Gathmann (Former BVL, Germany), the Roundtable will feature representatives from major regulatory organizations and government authorities, including DG SANTE (European Commission), MAPA (Brazil), MARA (China), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, IBMA, and global industry partners.

Discussions will focus on regulatory frameworks, environmental risk assessment, non-target testing, resistance management, and the convergence of international evaluation systems. The Roundtable aims to strengthen dialogue between science, regulation, and implementation while contributing to the future governance of next-generation biological crop protection technologies.

Innovation Street – Entrepreneurship at the Front Line

Complementing the scientific and regulatory dimensions of the congress, Innovation Street returns as a flagship event curated and moderated by Dr. Pam Marrone, one of the most influential pioneers of the global biologicals industry.

Innovation Street will feature Andrey Zarur, Founder and CEO of GreenLight Biosciences, in a candid conversation tracing the journey from scientific discovery to global deployment. Through discussions on entrepreneurship, fundraising, regulatory navigation, commercialization, and technology adoption, participants will gain unique insights into the realities of translating molecular innovation into real-world agricultural solutions.

A Congress with Strategic Purpose

IMPPC2027 is not merely a scientific meeting. It is a strategic global platform where discovery, regulation, entrepreneurship, and societal responsibility converge. Supported by leading scientific societies and international partners across entomology, plant pathology, weed science, biological control, molecular biology, and crop protection, the congress brings together a global ecosystem committed to redefining plant protection through molecular precision.

At IMPPC2027, One Wor(l)d: Sustainability becomes more than a theme. It becomes a shared commitment to advancing agricultural innovation, environmental stewardship, and global food security.

We look forward to welcoming you to Antalya for a congress that will not only showcase the future of molecular plant protection, but help define it.

Warm regards,