InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher attended the 1st South-East Transnational Congress of Microbial Sciences (SETCoMS 2026), held 10–13 June 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The congress brought together researchers, clinicians and industry representatives from across the region and beyond to discuss recent advances in microbiology, health and environmental sciences.

Dr. Ihab Malat, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, presented at the congress his recently published research article entitled ‘’Surface Colonization of Aureobasidium pullulans: A Multimodal Microscopy Study Toward Living Coating Development’’.

The study contributes to the development of innovative bio-based living coatings and investigates the surface colonization behaviour of Aureobasidium pullulans, a versatile fungal species with significant potential for sustainable building applications. Using a multimodal microscopy approach, the research provides valuable insights into fungal growth patterns and biofilm formation on material surfaces, supporting the design and optimisation of living coating systems.

The presented work contributes to the objectives of the ERC-funded ARCHI-SKIN and EIC-funded REMEDY projects, which aim to develop innovative bio-based technologies and sustainable solutions for the built environment through the integration of living systems and advanced material design.

The SETCoMS 2026 congress programme focused on recent developments in microbial sciences and provided an excellent platform for disseminating research findings, exchanging knowledge and establishing new scientific collaborations.