annual conference 2025

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

organisers: enas newire, dany beste, nick tucker

antimicrobial resistance (amr) will be a recurring topic for symposia at annual conference.

the theme selected for annual conference 2025 is mechanisms & regulation. we invite submissions on antibiotic drug uptake, efflux, modification, tolerance/persistence and target evolution. we also encourage submissions on regulation and evolution of amr.

date: wednesday 2 april

organisers: petra oyston, nicola holden

there is so much more to getting research into the clinic or the marketplace than just having a good idea and proving it works. regulation and policy create the enabling environment within which your research will be used. awareness of these powerful levers and the constraints they may place upon your work should be included from initial planning of the research to avoid lengthy and time-consuming delays later. similarly, most academic research requires transitioning into a commercially viable enterprise to achieve impact. understanding how investors evaluate investment opportunities, and what the journey towards commercial success is also important.

this session will include presentations from people involved in policy, regulation and investors, as well as examples from researchers to bring these potentially dry topics to life for the bench scientist. this will be followed by a round table featuring the presenters with a q&a session taking questions from the floor.

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

organisers: calvin tiengwe, fiona henriques-mui, girish beedessee

emerging eukaryotic microbial pathogens pose significant risks to public health, biodiversity, and global ecosystems. these pathogens can cause severe diseases in humans, animals, and plants, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. factors such as climate change, global travel, and agricultural practices drive their emergence and spread, creating new opportunities for transmission and infection. addressing these threats requires a multidisciplinary approach, including the characterisation of pathogen biology, robust surveillance systems, advanced diagnostic tools, and effective treatments and prevention strategies.

date: monday 31 march

organisers: 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ members panel

join us for an inspiring forum led by the members panel of the 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ . this session is dedicated to showcasing specific actions and initiatives that are building a more inclusive research environment. we invite members to share their impactful activities and successful strategies, providing a platform to exchange practical ideas and solutions. this is an opportunity to learn from each other’s triumphs and challenges, raising awareness of the needs of underrepresented and historically marginalised groups. abstract submissions are welcomed from all career stages for talks and posters. topics can range from diversity initiatives in microbiology, overcoming barriers to inclusion, to actionable ideas for achieving equity across various settings, from academia to industry. we particularly encourage submissions detailing the development and implementation of novel approaches and initiatives. be a part of this dynamic session to inspire and be inspired, and to gather actionable insights that can drive positive change in your own sphere of influence.

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

organisers: mel lacey, alison graham

we welcome abstracts on any aspect of learning or teaching microbiology as well as any aspect of engaging a wider audience with microbiology. this year, we particularly welcome abstracts on artificial intelligence, antimicrobial resistance, and low-budget projects, but will consider abstracts on any topic. we are happy to receive abstracts from colleagues in any setting e.g. clinicians, technicians, those in industry, etc.

date: thursday 3 april (am)

organisers: nick tucker

the enterobacteriaceae is a diverse family of gram-negative bacteria that includes significant genera including citrobacter, enterobacter, escherichia, klebsiella, proteus, salmonella and shigella spp. this symposium aims to discuss all aspects of the biology and ecology of these organisms not just in human health but in the environment. examples may include (but not limited to) horizontal gene transfer in the environment, faecal contamination of water, population biology & genomics, roles in microbiomes and virulence. to capture the diversity of the enterobacteriaceae, abstracts from rarer members of the family are particularly welcomed.

date: wednesday 2 april (pm) & thursday 3 april (am)

this forum includes offered papers on any area and any organism relevant to environmental, ecological, applied and industrial microbiology, including (non-human) host–microbe communities and interactions, marine and freshwater microbiology, soil and geomicrobiology, air-, cryo- and extremophile microbiology, climate change, biotechnology, bio-processing and bio-engineering, food microbiology, and other applied and industrial microbial processes, including microbe-mediated biodegradation and bioremediation.

date: tuesday 1 april (pm)

organisers: kasia parfitt, sam sheppard

just because a bacterial pathogen is lesser known, does not mean that it is not a potential threat to health. the aim of this session is to expand our knowledge on these bacteria, through both laboratory and bioinformatics approaches. abstracts are encouraged from a wide range of research topics that cover emerging/re-emerging diseases, zoonoses, pathogenicity, public health, tropical diseases, epidemiology, and diagnostics/therapy. overall, this half-day symposium will shed light on the importance of unrecognised threats to public health and identifying critical research gaps in scientific knowledge.

dates: tuesday 1 april (pm) & wednesday 2 april (am)

organisers: jordan price, alison smith, chris cooper

this session will explore the innovative uses of microorganisms in the production of alternative proteins. covering the latest research and technological advancements, we will highlight how fungi, bacteria, and algae are being used to create sustainable, nutritious, and scalable protein sources. attendees will gain insights into microbial biomass and precision fermentation processes, genetic engineering, and biotechnological applications that are driving the future of food. join us to discover how microbiology is at the forefront of solving global challenges related to food security and sustainability through the development of alternative proteins.

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

genetics and genomics forum will consider offered papers on all aspects of the genes and genomes of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and their mobile elements, including their sequencing, transcription, translation, regulation, chromosome dynamics, gene transfer, population genetics and evolution, taxonomy and systematics, comparative genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology.

date: wednesday 2 april

offered papers (and associated posters) will be presented in areas related to clinical, veterinary and plant infections caused by microbial pathogens. this will include detection and diagnosis, identification, typing and epidemiology, pathogenesis, virulence, host response and immunity, treatment and prevention, antimicrobial agents and resistance, transmission and models of infection. eligible abstracts can be entered into the infection science award competition, with the awardees invited to the federation of infection societies annual meeting.

date: tuesday 1 april (pm)

organisers: tina joshi, catrin moore, enas newire, dany beste

the knocking out amr forum will consider submissions across the key themes of surveillance, diagnostics, novel antimicrobials, vaccination, policy and education initiatives relevant to tackling the global challenge of anti-microbial resistance. we strongly encourage impactful papers addressing the one health aspects of amr, including agriculture, veterinary, human and environmental microbiology, amr and climate change, and amr in the global south. we look forward to a range of submissions across these key themes. speakers will be selected from the submitted abstracts.

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

this forum will consider offered papers on all aspects of microbial (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) metabolism, physiology and molecular biology. this will focus on fundamental and translational research in this area. this would include the metabolism and physiology of bacteria, archaea and eukaryotic microbes, including pathogens; biochemistry and structure of cells, cell growth and division; cell architecture and differentiation; synthesis and transport of macromolecules; ions and small molecules; development signalling and communication, sensing and cellular responses and also how this work informs microbial engineering, antimicrobial drug development, and other potential applications. all speakers will be selected from the submitted abstracts.

date: wednesday 2 april (pm) & thursday 3 april (am)

organisers: rebecca corrigan, james hall, chris cooper, joao botelho, jerry reen

in their natural habitats, microbes live alongside other microbes, and are exposed to a diversity of mobile genetic elements (mges). frequently, this coexistence is beset with conflict, as microbes express a panoply of mechanisms to attack one another and defend themselves. this session offers a window into the complex mechanisms of ‘microbial warfare’: ways in which microbes (and mges) interact to outcompete one another and survive, and will include discussions on: mges and horizontal gene transfer (hgt), bacteriophage/prophage, plasmids, crispr and other genome defence systems, toxin/anti-toxin systems, interference competition/secretion systems and more! it will also allow for conversations around the roles of these elements/systems in microbial adaptation, evolution, community dynamics, and the spread of traits like antimicrobial resistance. this exciting theme will foster a deeper understanding of the importance of communication and defence in microbial communities.

date: wednesday 2 april (pm) & thursday 3 april (am)

organisers: robert hirt, maria domingo sananes

genetic recombination allows organisms to eliminate deleterious dna and assemble new beneficial genetic combinations. eukaryotes evolved meiosis and sexual reproduction as a unique and controlled mechanism for recombination. however, horizontal gene transfer (the primary recombination mechanism in bacteria) also makes new combinations and appears particularly important during endosymbiosis. this session will explore the diversity and extent of genetic recombination across the microbial eukaryotic tree of life, showcasing a variety of mechanisms, organisms and outcomes.

date: tuesday 1 april (pm) & wednesday 2 april (am)

organisers: albert bolhuis, campbell gourlay

just as imposters lurk undetected in the popular online game “among us”, pathogenic fungi often evade conventional treatments and pose a growing challenge to global health and agriculture. the selection of resistance and virulence traits as a result of extensive use of fungicides and environmental conditions such as pollution and climate change raise the threat of fungal disease in animals and plants ever further. this issue is underscored by the who, which has noted the rising threat of fungal pathogens and their increasing resistance to a limited number of available antifungal drugs. collaborative efforts in surveillance, responsible antimicrobial use, and environmental stewardship are crucial. additionally, innovations in drug development, improved diagnostics, and infection control strategies are essential to combat this evolving threat. this session will focus on the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance in fungi and explore strategies to mitigate its impact.

date: wednesday 2 april (am)

organisers: florence abram, sam sheppard, trevor cickvoski

the arrival of artificial intelligence (ai) and machine learning (ml) approaches is changing the microbiology research landscape. the requirement for computationally demanding analyses has precipitated solutions from divergent philosophies of data analysis, sometimes from separate communities. machine learning and statistical inference have overlapping knowledge discovery aims and approaches. however, machine learning focuses on optimizing prediction, whereas statistical inference focuses on understanding the processes relating variables. in this session we will explore the strengths (and weaknesses) of ai and ml in microbiology. drawing on examples from across the microbiological world, we aim to outline the different aspirations, precepts, and resulting methodologies, and examine the potential of ai as an emerging analytical approach. the session will conclude with a panel discussion addressing opportunities, challenges, and standards related to the application of ai in microbiological research, with a particular focus on the necessity for rigorous validation.

date: monday 31 march (pm) & tuesday 1 april (am)

organisers: stephen kelly, florence abram, jerry reen, aoife mulry, guerrino macori, nicky o'boyle, john kenny

this session will focus on diverse emerging eukaryotic pathogens, emphasising the need for innovative methods to understand their complex biology and spread. early identification and rapid response are essential to prevent outbreaks, minimize impacts on health systems, and safeguard food security and natural ecosystems. by stimulating these discussions, we aim to better protect public health and maintain ecological balance.

date: tuesday 1 april (pm) & wednesday 2 april (am)

organisers: mathew diggle, conor feehily, robert hirt

the microbes of a urogenital tract represent a dynamic and often poorly studied facet of human health. microbes found here can play important roles in maintaining health, influencing the transmission of infectious pathogens, and affecting fertility and pregnancy outcomes. in this session we will discuss the importance of inter-kingdom relationships; integrating bacteria, microbial eukaryotes and viruses; within the urogenital microbiota, cover the mechanisms of host-microbe dialogue, and determine the value of microbiome research from clinical perspectives. all research involving fundamental and clinical microbiology, diagnostics, and interventions are welcome for submission.

date: tuesday 1 april (pm) & wednesday 2 april (pm)

organisers: 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ virus division

the virology community has to embrace many different disciplines to understand the diversity of viruses and to study how such small things can have such wide-ranging effects. historically, the 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ ’s virus workshops have tried to capture the amazing variety of virology with pre-determined sessions, alternating between sessions based on virus taxonomy and sessions based on the properties of viruses and how they interact with their hosts. however, the balance of content can change from year to year, making it challenging to divide up offered papers between sessions. from this year, we are opening up the choice of topics for these sessions to all our community. as in previous years there will be 8 half-day workshops (now called ‘virus forums') held over two days at the annual conference, but the topics will be tailored to reflect the current variety of virus research.

to achieve this, we are asking you to submit your most exciting research to us and to select 2-3 key terms which you think best describe your work. we will then use these keywords to help develop 8 workshops based on the content received. we have retained the previous session titles as options, and have also included an ‘other’ category – if you are doing something new that doesn’t fit any of the current categories please let us know and we will fit it into a session (or maybe even create a new session!).

date: monday 31 march (pm)

organisers: ben brennan, clive mckimmie

this session will address the intersection of the climate crisis and infectious viral disease. we will discuss how the climate crisis is driving the emergence and geographic expansion of varied pathogens, from emerging zoonotic pathogens to established arthropod-borne viruses and their vectors. projections indicate a vast increase in the risk posed to immunologically naïve individuals as the climate changes. outbreaks of disease are already exacerbating public health challenges that result from the absence of treatments and vaccines for many of these infections. speakers from a variety of disciplines, including disease modelling, virology and vector biology will explore the unintended consequences of climate change, such as increased cross-species viral transmission risks. this symposium aims to deepen our understanding of these dynamics and highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on global infectious disease patterns.

date: wednesday 2 april (am) & thursday 3 april (am)

organisers: joe grove, helena maier

the virosphere - encompassing the entirety of viral ‘life’ on earth - intertwines with the cellular tree of life. it contains a huge diversity of biological forms and functions, much of which remains uncharacterised or undiscovered. however, the majority of virology research focusses on viruses of mammals, particularly humans, and therefore considers only a fraction of the virosphere. in this session we look beyond a human-centric view to explore the full diversity of viral ecology, evolution and biology.

date: tuesday 1 april (am)

organisers: matthew reeves, richard stanton

over a hundred years ago peyton rous demonstrated that an infectious agent could promote tumorigenesis which, many years later, paved the way for the discovery of oncogenes in retroviruses and, subsequently, proto-oncogenes in the host genome. this symposium will cover the underlying mechanisms of how viruses transform cells to persist in the host and the pathogenesis they cause. furthermore, it will also feature how viruses (both oncogenic and non-oncogenic) have been re-purposed to target and kill cancer cells - highlighting how viruses can cause, and be used to kill, cancer.