Deep Focus on Molecular Modelling: The MMWS 2026
The 38th Molecular Modelling Workshop (MMWS) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) was somewhat shorter this year, but this exception allowed for a focus on atomistic simulations. Almost 60 participants from nine different countries gathered at the Chemikum building at FAU upon the invitation of the Molecular Modelling and Graphics Society – Deutschsprachige Sektion e.V. (MGMS-DS).
While the practical organization of the conference was once again handled by FAU’s Computer Chemistry Center, the coordination of the program had been taken over on short notice by NHR@FAU member PD Dr. Anselm Horn (Bioinformatics). Due to organizational constraints, the conference was trimmed to two days, bringing it back to the scale of its early years, when it was originally held in Darmstadt.
Three plenary lectures ensured a high scientific level: Prof. Vlad Cojocaru (Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania), Prof. Jonathan Essex (University of Southampton, UK), and Prof. Antonella DiPizio (Technical University Munich, Germany) had kindly agreed to present their latest research. The majority of the contributions, both talks and posters, came from early-career researchers. One complete conference session was dedicated to NHR@FAU, indicating the strong topical bonds.
Traditionally, the MMWS offers not only a first opportunity to present research findings and work in progress but also to engage in academic and personal exchange. The conference dinner featuring Franconian specialties once again served as a successful catalyst for these encounters.
Poster prizes were awarded to Rinto Thomas (Philipps University of Marburg) and Jorge Balderas (FAU), while Leo Christanell (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich), Barbara Lech (University of Wrocław) and Thomas Trepl (University of Bayreuth) were honored by the MMWS-DS e.V. for their contributed lectures.
The conference program was framed by two free workshops. The initial one was held by Schrödinger, Inc. and the closing one introduced the web service ProteinsPlus. Photographic spotlights of the event can be found on the workshop’s website. And don’t forget to ready yourself for the 39th MMWS next spring in Erlangen!
Report by PD Anselm Horn