Annual Conference 2019 - a view from Twitter
Posted on April 16, 2019 by Kaisa Berg
The Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2019 took place in Belfast from 8-11 April and welcomed over 1,300 delegates from around the world. We’ve turned to Twitter to look at some of the highlights of the Conference.
Before the official start of Annual Conference on Monday 8 April, the pre-Conference Teaching Microbiology in Higher Education Symposium took place, also at the ICC Belfast.
Keynote speaker of the Teaching #Microbiology in Higher Education is the awesome @JoVerran - such an inspiration and innovator #microbio19 pic.twitter.com/0ey0sXjnuC
— Paul Hoskisson (@PaulHoskisson) April 7, 2019
While most delegates arrived in Belfast by plane, train or bus, member Robyn Wright chose a more challenging mode of transport.
I have decided to cycle to Ireland in April for #microbio19! I thought it would be a bit more exciting than getting a flight. I'll cycle from here (Coventry) to Liverpool (~130 miles/210 km), where I'll get the ferry across to Belfast. Then I'll go to the Giants Causeway 1/3
— Robyn Wright (@RobynJWright) February 25, 2019
Enjoyed #microbio19 and giving my two talks - one for my PhD research and one for my @MIBTP1 project with @kreftj - and then enjoyed getting out of Belfast again today! Day 4 of cycling and another 67km, but the most enjoyable for scenery! #sustainabletravel pic.twitter.com/uGPYX1xJeu
— Robyn Wright (@RobynJWright) April 12, 2019
Fantastic talk and excellent work by @RobynJWright @MicrobioSoc who is so sustainablely minded that she cycled to Belfast from Coventry #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/PrmLgnrrgq
— Louise Horsfall (@lehorsfall) April 10, 2019
Robyn will be writing a blog post about her experience at this years’ Conference. If you would like to learn more about her journey, watch this space.
This year is the first time that the Annual Conference has been held in Belfast, and many delegates had positive feedback on the choice of location and the venue.
Great conference, great location, great weather. #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/VSAgoxGO3I
— Lori Snyder (@DrLoriSnyder) April 9, 2019
How to improve the atmosphere of a sterile exhibition hall - careful positioning of trees around the room, what a difference it makes. #TreePeople #microbio19 pic.twitter.com/AkPQMvkSU0
— Robert Jackson (@RobWJackson) April 8, 2019
The Conference began with a Welcome Address by President Judith Armitage.
Judy Armitage kicks off the Microbiology Society annual conference in Belfast with 1200 delegates. A fantastic programme showcasing world leading microbiological science. #microbio19 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/6Hn6jO1kRO
— Neil Gow (@neil_gow) April 8, 2019
Followed by the first Hot Topic Lecture, ‘Creating a path – how single cells can solve mazes, see round corners, and find out where they ought to go’ by Robert Insall (Cancer Research UK, Beatson Institute).
Great to hear @robinsall's talk today. Thank you for your fantastic opening presentation. https://t.co/QzLy7qj4aM
— Judy Armitage (@Armitage_Judy) April 8, 2019
Laura Bowater (University of East Anglia, UK) brought the first day to a close, presenting the Peter Wildy Prize Lecture 'Microbes, medicines and me.'
What an inspirational woman. Very well deserved prize! #microbio19 #WomenInSTEM #scicomm @ProfLauraBow @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/pJBj82vmJS
— Dr Stacey Human (@Stacey_Human) April 9, 2019
Day two opened with the Microbiology Society Prize Medal Lecture, which was held on behalf of Jennifer Doudna (University of California, Berkeley) by Christof Fellmann (University of California, Berkeley).
Christof Fellmann presents 2019 Microbiology Society Medal Lecture (on behalf of medal winner Jennifer Doudna) on next generation CRISPR -Cas based genome surgery tools for novel patient treatments. #Microbio19 @MicrobioSoc @doudna_lab pic.twitter.com/KniF5O0787
— Neil Gow (@neil_gow) April 9, 2019
Peter Fineran rounded off the day with his Fleming Prize Lecture ‘Resistance is (not) futile: bacterial innate and adaptive immune systems.’
So much fun to give this lecture #microbio19 on #phages and #CRISPR. Thanks to @MicrobioSoc and @otago and all my awesome lab members and collaborators. https://t.co/vaEIatIAIH
— Peter Fineran (@PeterFineran) April 10, 2019
The Prize Lecture article accompanying Peter Fineran @PeterFineran 's excellent Fleming lecture last night is now published in #MicrobioJ https://t.co/sq07d2ETsj #timely @MicrobioSoc - Resistance is not futile: bacterial ‘innate’ and CRISPR-Cas ‘adaptive’ immune systems.
— Gavin H Thomas (@GavinHThomas) April 10, 2019
The Marjory Stephenson Prize Lecture was held by Prize Winner Gordon Dougan on Wednesday morning, called ‘Putting genomics into action.’
Prof Dougan finished on a particularly important note highlighting that PIs should focus on the legacy they leave and the people they train #microbio19 #WednesdayWisdom https://t.co/BpvUg9B8dM
— Keith Grehan (@Fragilelittleme) April 10, 2019
Annual Conference 2019 saw an impressive 498 posters on display. To ensure that posters being displayed matched the themes of sessions, there was a rotation of posters on the morning of day three. Below are just a few of the posters.
Busy poster session this evening at #microbio19. Enjoyed chatting about the potential of phage therapy as an intervention for E. coli O157 colonised cattle. Same again tomorrow as well as flash poster presentation during fighting fire with fire session @roslininstitute #phage. pic.twitter.com/5A04Dgs3OD
— Alison Low (@alisontidswell) April 10, 2019
First year PhD @DavidRcoMark of the Herron lab with his poster up at #MicroBio19. Find him at B098 for a chat about Micromonospora. @Herron1664 pic.twitter.com/hmHVP4b2Ys
— Emily Addington (@emyaddington) April 10, 2019
It’s been a great few days at #microbio19 @MicrobioSoc presenting different aspects of our work on the role of Propionibacterium acnes in prostate cancer development, and discussing opportunities for new patient treatments and management @StratMedicineNI pic.twitter.com/M4FWL94qzL
— Andrew McDowell (@DrMicrobiome) April 11, 2019
Presenting my work on the antibacterial activity of an 'Ancientbiotic'. Come and find me at B207! #AMR #Microbio19 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/NRnlgeFhKE
— Jess Furner-Pardoe (@JFurnerPardoe) April 10, 2019
A popular part of this years’ Conference was the activities surrounding the 75th anniversary policy project, 'A Sustainable Future'. Delegates from various sections of the membership helped spread the word about the project by holding up the UN Sustainable Development Goal placards they felt related to their area of work. Sign up to attend the launch event to learn more about this project.
Join us at the #Microbio19 Society stand today at 19:00 to hear from Policy Committee’s Chair Professor @PaulKellam_2 discussing the impact of microbiology on the #SDGs and to learn more about our #MicrobioSoc75th ‘A Sustainable Future’ project. #MicroGlobalChallenges pic.twitter.com/gmDK7nHEbi
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) April 8, 2019
Two former Presidents @neil_gow @ nl_brown highlight the importance of microbiology in the sustainable development goals. Come to Society stand and learn more at 7pm tonight @MicrobioSoc #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/41baDyU615
— Peter Cotgreave (@PeterCotgreave) April 8, 2019
Wow! Look at this turnout from the @imperialcollege Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses MSc group at our #MicroGlobalChallenges stand. Helping us promote our 'A Sustainable Future' project for the UN #SDGs: https://t.co/oFAWs7RV7D pic.twitter.com/fsIB9vLVyt
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) April 9, 2019
Chair Elect of the @MicrobioSoc Scientific Conferences Committee Steve Smith @ecoligist supporting the #SDGs #Microbio19 #MicroGlobalChallenges pic.twitter.com/NYiXmp2khy
— Sufia R (@dr_soof) April 10, 2019
The official launch of the Society’s new journal, Access Microbiology, took place on Tuesday night.
Find out more about our new journal #AccessMicro, launched today at #Microbio19: https://t.co/DaEsoWWlnN #SocietyJournalsMatter pic.twitter.com/FFwWcki77E
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) April 9, 2019
@Armitage_Judy launching the new @MicrobioSoc journal Access Microbiology. A great place for #ECMForum members to considering publishing their work! #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/OKQ0MegnzK
— Rebecca Hall (@RebeccaJHall13) April 9, 2019
The free crèche again proved popular, by delegates and their children alike.
Great to see @MicrobioSoc offering free conference childcare again this year at #Microbio19, as you can see my son is equally excited #childfriendlyconference pic.twitter.com/4ahzx37JNd
— Emily Goldstein (@EmilyJGoldstein) April 9, 2019
Microbes work best as part of a team.
— Nipperbout (@NipperboutLtd) April 9, 2019
Team work for our @MicrobioSoc Nipperbouters proved best today as well. They successfully solved the problem of ‘Islands’ & the ‘Farmer, Chicken, Corn an Dog’ Riddle.
Yes, that is a #PurplePerson chicken!#Microbio19 #science #fun pic.twitter.com/PEGYAlmkz4
This year’s social programme featured a visit to the infamous Crumlin Road Gaol…
A few photos from yesterday's visit to @CrumlinRoadGaol featuring some of our delegates as well as our past president @nl_brown who was pictured fully embracing life in jail #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/sCjOyN2g7C
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) April 9, 2019
Well the @CrumlinRoadGaol tour was something else #wow #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/RcOGq0BLUo
— Sheba A-J (@ShebaAJ) April 10, 2019
… as well the traditional Quiz Night.
MMB wins #MicroBio19 @MicrobioSoc @ConnorB1862 #PubQuiz pic.twitter.com/nFbNhO9PnF
— Francesca (@frafra1603) April 10, 2019
The Maynooth University “Yeastie Boys” finishing a credible 3rd in the #Microbio19 table quiz. Who knew The Eagles are the biggest selling band of all time? @MicrobioSoc @MaynoothBiology pic.twitter.com/mOAyplh696
— Dr David Fitzpatrick (@DFitzpatrickMU) April 11, 2019
Congratulations to the winning quiz team, ‘The Photogenic Black Holes’ and commiserations to the losers, ‘Where’s my PI when I need them?’. Thanks to all who came along last night and made the #Microbio19 quiz such a great event. We are already looking forward to next year!
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) April 11, 2019
We even had the pleasure of exhibiting microbiology in art form with a poliovirus sculpture...
So pleased to see the poliovirus sculpture I created for @Stonehouse_Lab at its first public outing at the @MicrobioSoc conference in Belfast! #virology #artmeetsscience @UniLeedsCulture https://t.co/6u2OdTlJc0
— Alison Smith (@Ali_Boop) April 9, 2019
... and there was live music...
Great to have live music during lunch @MicrobioSoc #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/kJwazYJJ9i
— Angharad Ellen Green (@GreenAngharad) April 10, 2019
...and even some portraiture!
Staff at @MicrobioSoc reg desk will draw your portrait in@ten seconds flat. Laura Crick’s attempt on the left and Paul Taylor’s on the right. Vote Laura or Paul. #Microbio19 pic.twitter.com/FKNp0PoJOZ
— ecoligist (@ecoligist) April 9, 2019
A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped out at the Conference this year, we couldn’t have done it without you. We’ve already begun preparing for Annual Conference 2020 in Edinburgh – we hope to see you again there!
