Aerosols and microbiology combined sharply during recent pandemics integrating the interfaces of microbiology, aerobiology, atmospheric sciences and aerosol science. The conference seeks to bring multiple disciplines together into one space, at the same time, supporting new collaboration across industry, academia within the UK and abroad setting the aerobiology scene for the future.
The conference spans all aspects of aeromicrobiology to connect public health, agriculture, veterinary and biodefence scientists. Key topics explore characterisation of bioaerosol source, aerosol transport and transmission, detection, control and mitigations (both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical). Promotion of aerobiological standards provides researchers in the field with background knowledge on the microorganisms, and importantly the impact of physical and chemical aspects of aerosol behaviour.
We anticipate exciting sessions on emerging topics such as impact of climate and pollution on microorganisms and transmission, the environmental aeromicrobiome, and aerosols as initiators of biofilms. A running theme will be prioritising novel techniques to support expansion of experimental and modelling tools, for example advances in molecular and ‘omic approaches will likely provide step-wise changes in aerobiology understanding.
Further information will be announced in the build up to the meeting on our social media channels and you can follow us on Twitter @MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #MicroAerosols24.
Image credits: iStock/magicmine, iStock/Maksim Safaniuk and iStock/JadeThaiCatwalk
Topics covered will include understanding and characterising the broad range of bioaerosol sources. Interest is welcomed from human, animal, plant, and environmental dispersion both outdoors and indoors of pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms. Aspects of biosafety pertinent to aerosols such as aerosol generation procedures, biofilms etc. A key focus will be on innovative methods and technologies.
This topic explores developing effective bioaerosol sensing technologies mapped against the challenges of previous sessions spanning a range of disciplines. Mitigations to bioaerosol exposure will also be covered spanning non-pharmaceutical interventions and strategies deployed during recent pandemics but broadening into protective strategies for agriculture and livestock. Novel containment solutions for conducting bioaerosol research in a safe work environment are welcomed.
This topic explores developing effective bioaerosol sensing technologies mapped against the challenges of previous sessions spanning a range of disciplines. Mitigations to bioaerosol exposure will also be covered spanning non-pharmaceutical interventions and strategies deployed during recent pandemics but broadening into protective strategies for agriculture and livestock. Novel containment solutions for conducting bioaerosol research in a safe work environment are welcomed.
This topic will cover approaches to gain insight into source bioaerosol content and transmission. Creative developments in both in vitro and in vivo models of bioaerosol transmission and their use for development of pharmaceutical interventions are also anticipated. Animal-to-animal transmission models have gained much interest in recent years and advances to understanding respiratory disease will be explored.
Finally, the conference concludes with exploration of novel modelling approaches and data assimilation supporting bioaerosol research integration with policy and decision-makers across a range of research fields including public health, biodefence, farming, climate change and others.
Registration is now open.
| Membership type |
Delegate Fee |
| Microbiology Society Full member – for those with an academic or professional interest in microbiology |
£379.00 |
| Microbiology Society Student member - for those registered for a higher degree / studying at undergraduate level |
£249.00 |
| Microbiology Society Concessionary member– for those with an academic or professional interest in microbiology earning less than £35,000 (or equivalent) per year |
£299.00 |
|
Non-member |
£459.00 |
Microbiology Society members get heavily subsidised registration fees for Annual Conference, Focused Meetings and other Society events – both online and in-person. Join now to enjoy these discounts and many other opportunities that are designed for microbiologists at all stages of their career.
All speakers and poster presenters will be attending in-person.
Admission to break and lunchtime information and career development sessions
Full access to scientific poster sessions
Tea and coffee breaks, Lunch during the event period and Conference Dinner which will be held on the evening of 5th June.
Access to an online abstracts book
Certificate of Attendance (on request)
Access to CPD Points
Upon registration, you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] if, after 24 hours, this has not been received.
All registration fees must be paid in full BEFORE arrival at the conference. Any outstanding registration fees must be paid before admittance will be granted to the conference.
Refunds are not provided. However, substitutions of attendees can be made at any time before the event by contacting [email protected].
Abstract submission for Aerosols and Microbiology: Connecting Disciplines in the Post-Pandemic Era is now closed. If you have submitted an abstract, it will be reviewed by organisers committees and submitters will be notified of the outcome directly in mid-April 2024.
Both members and non-members of the Microbiology Society are welcome to submit an abstract for the meeting. All offered talks presentations and posters will be selected from the abstracts submitted. Once submissions are closed, they will be reviewed by the session organisers and submitters will be notified of the outcome from Mid-April 2024. By submitting an abstract to this conference, you are indicating to the session organisers your commitment to attend the event.
Abstracts are welcome for any of the following topics:
Abstracts must be a maximum of 250 words. The Society has produced a guide to give delegates some tips on how to write a great abstract, which can be downloaded below:
How to write a great abstract
Please note that the abstract is the only information session organisers use when deciding whether to accept your work for presentation as an offered oral or poster. If accepted, it will also be published in the abstract book for the meeting – so think carefully about what needs to be included.
The conference will take place at the Wessex Suite and Ballroom| Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.
You can find the map here.
Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel is located at Broad St, Bristol BS1 2EL.
The property is located in Bristol City Centre less than one mile from Bristol Temple Meads, in the heart of the historic Old City and is ideally located just a short walk from Cabot Circus shopping mall.
Mercure Grand Car Park:
the building next to the hotel on Broad Street. Chargeable. 7 floors.
Rupert Street Car Park:
5-minute walk to the hotel.
Rupert Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1 2PY
TEMPLE MEADS - 0.8 miles – 16 minute walk
Walk north-east, turn left towards Friary. Turn left onto Friary for 0.2 miles. Turn right
onto Temple Gate for 43 ft. Turn left onto Victoria Street for 0.2 miles. Continue onto
High Street for 456ft. Turn left onto Broad Street and the hotel will be on your right.
73, A1, M1, Y1, Y3.
Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel offers conference delegates up to 15% off on accommodation bookings. please enter the preferential code 'EVEBB' in the Special Rates section when making your reservation.
Booking link: Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel | Hotel in Bristol - ALL (accor.com)
If you have any questions or need assistance with accommodation arrangements, please email the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel reservation team at [email protected]. They will be happy to assist you with any inquiries.
Reservations: [email protected] | Telephone number: +44 117 929 1645
The hotel does not offer childcare services. However, if needed, there are registered Ofsted Childminders available near BS1. You can find them on childcare.co.uk.
Applications for the Society Events Grant to support members attending Aerosols and Microbiology: Connecting Disciplines in the Post-Pandemic Era will open on 15 April 2024 for two weeks and close on 29 April 2024 (midnight BST).
Grants will act as contribution towards registration, travel, and accommodation expenses only.
Eligible membership categories:
A minimum membership period of one year and two consecutive membership payments is required. Postgraduate and Undergraduate with three year memberships will need to have completed one year memberships will need to have completed one year (three-year membership payment constitutes consecutive payment).
Please read all information carefully on the Society Events Grant page before submitting an application for funding.
You can apply for the UK-ICN ECR travel bursary on their website. This will prompt for a membership sign up.
Terms and conditions:
Standard travel and accommodation support for the following activities:
Candidate eligibility
The following rules apply to these awards:
1. Applicants must be meet the early career researcher criteria as set out by UK-ICN
2. Applicant must be a member of the UK-ICN membership sign up
3. Applications can only be accepted from institute-affiliated email addresses only
4. Submission via application form to [email protected] a minimum of 1 month before the event
5. Travel costs can only be reimbursed for standard economy fares
6. Expenditure must be justified and considered reasonable
7. Please state whether payments should be made to your institute (via invoicing) or to personal account (via payment request form).
8. Payments will be made retrospectively. University of Liverpool Expenses form, evidence of expenditure (receipts/invoices) and proof of attendance must be returned to [email protected] within 1 month after the event for payment.
Scientific Meetings
1. Applicants must be an invited speaker presenting coronavirus research
2. Proof of invite/acceptance is required at time of application.
3. Successful applicants must agree to include acknowledge UK-ICN support by inclusion of UK-ICN logo on presentations.
4. We kindly request a case study and photo (a short summary of what was achieved from the funding) after the event for our website.
Travel bursaries are available to help fund UK-based BioAirNet members (membership is free and can be joined via https://bioairnet.co.uk/join-our-network/) attend and travel to and from national and international events/meetings.
Funds are available for a)Travel bursaries for early career researchers (UK only) and (b) Travel bursaries for early career researchers (UK to overseas) for qualifying BioAirNet members to present their work at high profile international meetings which have a primary focus on some aspect of Bio(PM) science and technology, or where this is one of the main themes of the conference. These Bursaries are intended to further the aims and objectives of BioAirNet by:
Travel bursary grants have a maximum value of £300 for UK only and £1100 for UK to overseas.
If you wish to apply, please download the guidance document and an application form. Please contact us if you have any queries.
If you wish to be considered for a session co-chairing role at Aerosols and Microbiology: Connecting Disciplines in the Post-Pandemic Era you can find more information on our website.
You must fit the Society’s criteria for an Early Career Researcher/ Microbiologist to be considered for the co-chairing scheme. The Society considers you Early Career if you are a student at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, within five years of appointment to your first position after your highest qualification earned or if you identify as a member in the early stages of their career.
To apply for the scheme, please complete the section in the abstract submission form.
Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available for this conference. For more information, please get in touch with [email protected].
As part of the preparations for Microbiology Society events due to be held in 2024, the Microbiology Society Council has further discussed the implementation of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 mitigations and has agreed the following:
Personal responsibility:
Attendance at any Microbiology Society event is a personal choice, and Council expects delegates to take personal responsibility for their actions to minimise the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Ventilation:
The Microbiology Society will continue to work with venues to seek assurance that these are adequately ventilated.
Vaccination and pre-event testing:
We strongly urge all delegates to ensure they are as fully vaccinated as practicable, which we recognise will depend on their age and home country, and to test before travelling to any of our events. Delegates should not attend if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, should they wish to, delegates should feel comfortable wearing a mask in any of our venues.
Mask usage and lateral flow tests:
A limited number of masks (FFP3) and lateral flow tests will be available upon request at all Microbiology Society events should any delegates wish to use them. However, these will not be routinely supplied.
The Microbiology Society Council will continue to monitor the situation and update these mitigations as required.
