iMOSS - international molecular moss science society Propelling Flagellated Plant Research

The iMOSS recognizes persons who have fostered moss (in the wide sense) research. Such persons will be identified and nominated by the iMOSS members and board. The board will select the annual recipient of the Golden Spore Award. To be eligible to receive the award, the researcher has to have a track record of at least a decade of influential research on mosses. The award will be presented at the annual iMOSS meeting. Other awards, such as poster or talk awards might also be sponsored by iMOSS.



The golden spore for 2022 was awarded to Magdalena Bezanilla for her pioneering work in identifying the roles of cytoskeleton components in polarised growth using P. patens as a model. She is also recognised for developing powerful molecular toolkits and methods for RNAi, fluorescent protein tagging, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, novel genetic screens and microfluidics.


Magdalena Bezanilla (Picture: https://biology.dartmouth.edu/people/magdalena-bezanilla).


The golden spore for 2021 was awarded to Stefan Rensing for his contribution to developing the P. patens genome, providing genomic tools and resources, and his tremendous efforts towards community building. The ceremony took place at the online members assembly, November 18th.


Stefan Rensing presenting the golden spore award (Picture: Sandra Meyndt).

The golden spore for 2020 was awarded to Ralf Reski for his role in establishing the moss community and promoting its success. The cermony took place at the online members assembly, October 9th.



online attendance at members assembly, Ralf Reski showing the award he just received.


The Golden Spore Award for 2019 was presented to Mitsuyasu Hasebe for his pioneering works on evo-devo and the genome of the moss Physcomitrella.


Mitsuyasu Hasebe receives the golden spore award from Stefan Rensing.


The Golden Spore Award for 2018 was presented to Ralph Quatrano for his pioneering works on cell polarity, drought tolerance, and the genome of the moss Physcomitrella.


Ralph Quatrano (left) and David Cove (right).

The Golden Spore Award for 2016 was presented to David Cove "The Godfather of Moss" for his pioneering works on Physcomitrella.


Awards were received at the 1st Black Forest Workshop on Flagellated plants (September 2018) by (f.l.t.r.) Lenka Caisova, Rabea Meyberg, Jan Rathje and Elena Lesch (best posters) and Andrea Busch (best contributed talk).



Awards were received at the 2018 iMOSS meeting by Maria Teresa Boquete Seoane (best postdoc talk) and Jenna T Baughman (best poster).



Maria Teresa Boquete Seoane (best postdoc talk).


Jenna T Baughman (best poster).

Best talk awards were received at the 2017 iMOSS meeting by Laura Moody (best postdoc talk) and Kumudu Rathnayake (best PhD talk). The 2017 meeting took place June 22nd - 24th in conjunction with the ASPB meeting on Hawaii.


Aruna Kilaru, Kumudu Rathnayake, Laura Moody, Stefan Rensing (from left to right).