From 19–22 September 2025, Professor Gordon Ramage travelled to Bilbao, Spain, to attend the 12th Trends in Medical Mycology (TIMM-12) conference, held at the Euskalduna Centre. Among the highlights of the meeting was a Meet the Experts session entitled “Highlights in Fungal Biofilms,” where Prof. Ramage presented on the Clinical Impact of Fungal Biofilms alongside Dr. Alba Ruiz-Gaitán, Consultant in Medical Microbiology at the University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital (Spain).
In his talk, Prof. Ramage explored how fungal biofilms contribute to persistent infections and antifungal resistance, emphasising their clinical significance and the urgent need for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The session prompted engaging discussion among delegates, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling biofilm-associated disease. He focussed on his recent work on Candidozyma auris dry surface biofilms in Scotland and the difficulty in managing these with disinfectants, work supported by a grant from NHS Assure.
The talk generated many questions and afterwards he said:
“there was real sense that many clinicians do not yet realise or understand that fungal biofilms play an important role in ineffectual clinical management. These are why many infections do not respond to traditional antifungal therapies”.
Beyond the lecture hall, Prof. Ramage took part in lively networking sessions and poster presentations that showcased cutting-edge advances in medical mycology. The conference concluded with a memorable dinner at the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, where attendees enjoyed an evening of Basque hospitality and scientific camaraderie surrounded by world-class art — a fitting finale to an inspiring and collaborative meeting.
For more information on fungal biofilms it is recommended to read his review in Nature Reviews in Microbiology entitled “Fungal biofilms in human health and disease”.