World’s top scientists in the field of molecular machines meet at IOCB Prague
30 September 2025
IOCB Prague hosted the fourth edition of the unique conference Molecular Rotors, Motors & Switches (MoRoMoS 2025), an event that brings together the international community working on molecular machines. The world’s foremost experts in the field came to Prague, among them Nobel laureate Ben Feringa. With just fifteen speakers, the conference’s intimate atmosphere encourages the exchange of original ideas, many of which capture the interest of the most prestigious scientific journals.
Molecular machines are thousands of times smaller than a human hair. These specially designed molecules can perform defined tasks when exposed to an energy input, such as light. Nobel Prize winners Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart, and Ben Feringa have demonstrated in their laboratories how to assemble a miniature motor or even a nano car. In the future, such knowledge is expected to translate into advanced materials, nanoelectronics, and medical applications, such as light-activated drugs targeting tumors or harmful bacteria.
At IOCB, Jiří Kaleta heads a research group dedicated to this area. The idea of organizing the symposium first came to him in the United States, during the renowned conferences held in Telluride, Colorado. “I knew that Europe lacked a similar event, and I thought, why not host it here at IOCB? Fortunately, the institute’s management supported the idea, and leading international colleagues working on molecular machines accepted our invitation. Some have returned more than once, including Ben Feringa, who not only is a brilliant scientist but also a wonderful person,” Kaleta explains.
Ben Feringa, who has not missed a single edition of the conference, says he comes back because IOCB brings together his scientific community: “It’s absolutely amazing to spend two whole days discussing science, catching up on the latest developments on molecular machines, and what’s happening in the field. Jiří (Kaleta) and his colleagues are doing a great job organizing this symposium.”
The event is also highly valued by Nathalie Katsonis, Feringa’s colleague at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, whose research has been recognized by the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society. She says: “At this conference, I can present my research and quickly receive feedback from colleagues. Their comments are important to me. On the other hand, it’s a great opportunity to learn about the projects of other participants. It’s very inspiring.”
The conference on molecular machines is open to students and other researchers at IOCB Prague, regardless of their specialization. According to Jiří Kaleta, it serves as an excellent platform for building international scientific collaborations and also helps attract talented PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
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