Prof. Dr. Kristina Sepčić - Zois Award 2026

How can proteins from edible mushrooms help in disease research and protect plants from pests? Prof. Dr. Kristina Sepčić of the Biotechnical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana is the recipient of the 2026 Zois Award for the use of proteins from oyster mushrooms in biomedicine and sustainable plant protection. Together with her colleagues, she is researching proteins that bind to specific lipids in cell membranes, enabling the monitoring of processes in living cells and a better understanding of diseases. Her research also opens up possibilities for developing more environmentally friendly methods of plant protection, as certain protein complexes from oysters selectively target the corn rootworm and the Colorado potato beetle.