We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 2026 edition of Comparative Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes: Exceptions to the rules.
Despite accounting for an estimated 70% of all eukaryotic species, protists remain dramatically underrepresented in genomic databases. Even with the comparatively limited data available, protist genomes have repeatedly challenged long-held assumptions in cell and genome biology. They reveal extraordinary structural, functional, and evolutionary innovations. As sequencing technologies advance, the field is shifting toward a “post-genomic era,” where understanding the function of genomes—how they shape cells, ecology, and evolution—becomes the central challenge. This workshop brings together researchers from across disciplines to explore that frontier.