Nobel Laureates in Budapest for the Molecular Frontiers Anniversary Symposium

Sir Tim Hunt, Jack Szostak and Omar M. Yaghi are among the speakers at the Molecular Frontiers Symposium Budapest 2026, taking place on 24–25 September. Alongside the Nobel laureates, a number of other leading figures in international science will come to Budapest, including Robert Langer, Yamuna Krishnan and Dinshaw Patel.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Molecular Frontiers, the event will centre on the theme ‘In a World Without Science’. The symposium will explore the role science plays in understanding and addressing the health, environmental and technological challenges facing society.

The event, organised by the Molecular Frontiers Foundation, is supported by the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, the Hungarian Young Academy, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The main venue will be the Gömb Aula at ELTE’s Lágymányos Campus.

Nobel laureates from different fields of molecular science

Sir Tim Hunt was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning mechanisms involved in the regulation of the cell cycle.

Jack Szostak, one of the recipients of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, conducts research into the origins of life. Omar M. Yaghi, one of the laureates of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is a pioneer in the field of metal–organic frameworks.

The programme also features several other prominent figures in modern biomedicine and molecular science. Robert Langer, an Institute Professor at MIT, is one of the best-known researchers in drug delivery systems and biomedical engineering. Yamuna Krishnan is an internationally recognised pioneer of DNA nanotechnology, while Dinshaw Patel is a leading researcher in structural biology.

The Hungarian research community will be represented by two internationally recognised scientists. Csaba Pál is a leading expert in antimicrobial resistance research, while Edit Buzás is a prominent researcher in the field of extracellular vesicles.

A chance to meet world-renowned researchers

An important part of the Molecular Frontiers mission is to bring the latest scientific discoveries not only to specialist audiences but also to younger generations. In addition to scientific lectures, the Budapest programme will therefore offer students, doctoral candidates and early-career researchers opportunities to meet and engage directly with leading scientists.

On the first day, the morning lectures will take place in the Gömb Aula at ELTE, followed in the afternoon by an interactive programme for students and an informal discussion for PhD students and researchers at the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences.

The second day will feature further scientific lectures, a panel discussion and an awards ceremony.

Attendance is free of charge, but advance registration is required. The lectures will be held in English without interpretation. The event will also be streamed online via the event website.

Dates: 24–25 September 2026

Venues:

• ELTE Lágymányos Campus, Gömb Aula, 1/A Pázmány Péter sétány, 1117 Budapest
• HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, 1117 Budapest

Further information and registration: https://molecularfrontiers.budapest.ttk.hu/en/home/