Date: 6 November 2026
Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: ZOOM & SALA CAMBOURNAC
Prototheca are unusual, non-photosynthetic microalgae found in a wide range of environments, from water and soil to animal farms. Once considered harmless, some species are now recognised as emerging opportunistic pathogens in humans and animals, causing infections that are often overlooked or misdiagnosed and can be challenging to treat.
In this GHTM Session, Professor Tomasz Jagielski will provide an overview of Prototheca, exploring their ecology, taxonomic diversity and clinical relevance. The session will address the growing recognition of these microorganisms as human and animal pathogens, highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with Prototheca infections. The lecture will also explore the many unanswered questions surrounding their biology and pathogenicity, identifying promising avenues for future research.
Join us to discover more about these emerging pathogens and explore how advancing our understanding of Prototheca can contribute to improved diagnosis, treatment and research in infectious diseases and global health.
About Tomasz Jagielski
Tomasz Jagielski, PhD, DSc, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw, where he heads the Department of Medical Microbiology. His interdisciplinary research focuses on infectious diseases, particularly mycobacteriology, medical mycology and antimicrobial resistance. He also promotes the development of medical phycology, an emerging field exploring the clinical relevance of algae in human and animal health. Professor Tomasz Jagielski has led several national and international research projects and (co-)authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He serves as a Country Liaison for both the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM). He also coordinates the ISHAM Medical Phycology Working Group, contributing to the advancement of this emerging research area. In addition, he is the founder and President of the Microbiologia Aurea Association, reflecting his commitment to promoting microbiological research and scientific collaboration.
If you are a GHTM member, you will receive the details of the session by e-mail. If you are not a GHTM member and would like to join the session, please contact us at ghtm-info@ihmt.unl.pt.
