Dear Colleagues, Scholars, Industry Leaders, and Yeast Enthusiasts,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 39_th International Specialized Symposium on Yeasts (ISSY39), hosted in the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea, from November 8 to 12, 2026.

This year’s symposium, organized by the International Commission on Yeasts (ICY Visit Website) and the Microbiological Society of Korea(MSK Visit Website), promises to be an exceptional event, unfolding under the theme, Fermenting the Future: From Bread to Breakthroughs.

At ISSY39, we aim to bridge tradition with innovation. Yeasts have been pivotal in food and beverage industries for centuries, but their role expands far beyond. This symposium will explore the cutting-edge advancements in the realm of yeasts, ranging from their traditional roles in food and beverages to their emerging applications as agents of health and sustainability.

Our diverse topics include:

1. Yeasts in Food and Beverages: Delving into the traditional and novel uses that impact flavors and fermentation.
2. Yeasts as Human Pathogens: Understanding their roles in health and disease to better manage and exploit their biological functions.
3. Yeasts for Human Health: Exploring yeasts as model systems to understand and potentially cure human diseases, while also investigating their probiotic potentials and metabolic capabilities that promote health.
4. Yeasts in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry: Exploring their application in bioengineering and pharmaceuticals.
5. Yeasts in the Environment and Evolution: Studying their ecological roles and evolutionary dynamics.
6. Yeasts in Mycobiome Interactions: Unraveling the complex interactions within microbial communities.
7. Synthetic and Systems Biology of Yeasts: Harnessing synthetic biology to redesign yeast capabilities.
8. Engineering of Non-Conventional Yeasts: Pioneering innovations to expand the applications of novel yeast strains.

We are excited to host a line-up of distinguished speakers and leaders who will share their insights and discoveries. The symposium will not only serve as a platform to showcase research and development but also to foster collaborations and spark conversations that could lead to the next big breakthrough in the field.

Seoul, a city where tradition meets modernity, offers a fitting environment for our gathering. We encourage you to explore its rich culture, cuisine, and vibrant scenes alongside the symposium.

Thank you for joining us at ISSY39. Whether you are here to share your expertise, learn about the latest research, or explore potential collaborations, we look forward to five days of inspiring presentations, engaging discussions, and invaluable networking. Together, let’s ferment the future and shape a sustainable world with

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to Seoul,