The 1st PAMTOX Symposium was held on May 20–21, 2026, in Paris, graciously hosted by the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in the iconic Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, a remarkable venue where history, science, and biodiversity converge. The event also coincided with the 400th anniversary celebrations of the MNHN.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Multifunctional Antimicrobial Peptides Network (MuFoPAM) and the French Group for Peptides and Proteins (GFPP). It brought together nearly 100 participants from diverse scientific backgrounds, ranging from chemistry and structural biology to ecology and biotechnology, all sharing a common interest in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), peptide toxins and bioactive peptides more broadly. A strong participation of early-career researchers contributed to the dynamic and stimulating atmosphere of the symposium, helping to shape a lively and stimulating scientific atmosphere that encouraged cross-disciplinary dialogue and connections among participants.
The scientific program was organized into four thematic sessions: 1) diversity and ecological roles of antimicrobial peptides and toxins, 2) structures and mechanisms of action, 3) design and production through chemical synthesis and bioengineering, and 4) applications and valorization. Each sessions featured keynote lectures delivered by experts in the field, including Sébastien Dutertre (Montpellier, France), Jérôme Leprince (Rouen, France), Julie Karpenko (Strasbourg, France), Sophie Faure, (Clermont-Ferrand, France), and Daniel Gillet (Paris-Saclay, France).
In addition to the invited lectures, the symposium showcased 17 short oral communications, 3 flash poster presentations, and 16 posters presented by researchers at all career stages, from Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows to senior investigators.
Several prizes were awarded to recognize outstanding scientific contributions by early-career researchers. Chloé Cayrou, Hugo Terrasson, and Anthony Augé received awards for their oral presentations, while Emma Le Borgne was distinguished for her flash poster presentation. These prizes were generously supported by the French Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SFBBM) and by Nanion Technologies company.
Beyond the scientific sessions, participants enjoyed several convivial networking events. A welcome cocktail was held on the first evening at the recently renovated Orangerie. On the second day, the poster session took place during a buffet lunch at the historic Ménagerie of the Jardin des Plantes, fostering lively discussions and direct interactions between junior and senior scientists.
The symposium was generously supported by institutional partners and industrial sponsors, including the University of Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD), the European Peptide Society (EPS), the SFBBM, and several companies active in the peptide and biotechnology sectors, including CEM, Iris Biotech, Synthelis Biotech, Nanion Technologies, and Biosynth.
The symposium was organized by members of the MuFoPAM and GFPP boards: Vincent Humblot (FEMTO-ST, Besançon), Nicolas Inguimbert (CRIOBE, Perpignan), Céline Landon (CBM, Orléans), Olivier Lequin (CPCV, Paris), Baptiste Legrand (IBMM, Montpellier), and Séverine Zirah (MNHN, Paris). We hope this first edition will pave the for future meetings fostering collaborations and innovations in the field of bioactive peptides.