The Society for General Microbiology Annual Conference 2014 was held from the 14 to 17 April at the Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool, UK.
The Society’s Annual Conference attracts over 1,000 attendees from the UK and further afield and is Europe’s largest annual gathering of microbiologists. Whether you are a veteran microbiologist or just starting out in your career, attending the Society for General Microbiology Annual Conference is a must for all of those with an interest in microbiology.
Claude Lévi-Strauss said “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, [s]he's one who asks the right questions.” Our goal for this symposium was to make it inclusive by using social media to ask as many people as possible to submit their burning questions in virology. Twitter, Facebook, virology blogs, email and podcasts attracted a plethora of diverse questions that spanned the breath of fundamental and applied virology. Ranging from, “Where do viruses come from?”, to “How do viruses spread?” and “Why don't we have a vaccine against HIV yet?”, an engaging and provocative group of speakers will try to answer these pertinent and challenging questions. Keynote lectures will be interleaved with offered papers from the best groups working in the UK on such diverse topics as virus discovery, systems biology and viral pathogenesis. A debate addressing reductionism and systems biology will be chaired by the winner of the Wildy Prize in Microbiology Education, Stephen Curry, an avid blogger, proponent of open access and an accomplished structural biologist.
Paul Duprex (Virology Division) David Matthews
The cell cycle is the vital ordered series of events by which one cell grows and divides into two daughter cells. This symposium brings together leaders in the field to showcase diverse areas of cell cycle biology in a broad spectrum of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. In addition to areas of longstanding interest in cell cycle regulation, such as initiation, checkpoint pathways, DNA replication and cytokinesis, areas of emerging interest including links between cell cycle regulation and morphogenesis/differentiation and environmental influences on cell cycle progression are also covered.
Janet Quinn, Richard McCulloch and Petra Oyston
Microbiology underpins many different facets of biotechnology, including traditional practices like brewing and wine-making, production of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, and applications in bioenergy and industrial chemistry. Regardless of the sector, modern biotechnology requires a deep understanding of the biology, genetics and metabolic pathways of the microbes involved. Biotechnology is the interface where fundamental knowledge meets opportunity for exploitation for societal and economic benefit. The fundamental knowledge is required because although microbes possess the underlying potential for applications, in most cases, this potential needs to be developed further to optimise and enhance the relevant traits of the microbe. Traditionally, this optimisation was carried out through mutation and selection, but modern molecular tools now allow us to do this in a much more selective and precise way by specifically remodelling pathways and processes of interest. This is termed metabolic engineering and is a methodology that is coming to the fore in bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Reprogamming pathways and engineering metabolism first requires understanding of pathways and enzymatic reactions, and then implementation of technologies to manipulate those same processes. This symposium has a focus on metabolic engineering of microbes for important applications: biofuels, drugs for treating disease, beverages and enzymes. The scope of the session will include bacteria, algae, yeast and fungi and so provides an overview of how comparable methodologies are used in different organisms for different applications. The potential for synthetic biology is also addressed in several talks. Given the economic importance and societal relevance of the applications discussed, the session should be of interest to any microbiologists or biotechnologists. Furthermore, although there is an emphasis on biotechnology, the underlying need for fundamental knowledge also features and most speakers will address how acquiring basic knowledge can also lead to exploitation. This is very relevant for microbiologists early in their careers as we operate in an era where there is increasing emphasis from funding bodies and others to provide justification for the research that we do and the knowledge we generate.
John Morrisey, Ursula Bond, Elinor Thompson and Rocky Cranenburgh
Pseudomonads comprise a diverse group of animal, plant and environmental bacteria and can be viewed from pathogenic and beneficial perspectives. This symposium will bring together aspects of the complex regulatory systems that these bacteria use to communicate between each other and interact with other cells they come in contact with. To enable these versatile bacteria to establish themselves they secrete a wide range of molecules. Protein, lipopeptide and peptidoglycan localization will be presented to provide a platform to present a range of secretion machineries. It is becoming evident that the Pseudomonads are an ideal community in which to understand social interactions and the drivers behind evolution. How this dovetails with successful infection and the influences of metabolic regulation will be presented. To bring together the vibrant Pseudomomonas community the symposium includes a half day forum for early career scientists to present their work and stimulate discussion with the prominent invited speakers.
Kim Hardie, Gail Preston and Kalai Mathee
Claude Lévi-Strauss said “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, [s]he's one who asks the right questions.” Our goal for this symposium was to make it inclusive by using social media to ask as many people as possible to submit their burning questions in virology. Twitter, Facebook, virology blogs, email and podcasts attracted a plethora of diverse questions that spanned the breath of fundamental and applied virology. Ranging from, “Where do viruses come from?”, to “How do viruses spread?” and “Why don't we have a vaccine against HIV yet?”, an engaging and provocative group of speakers will try to answer these pertinent and challenging questions. Keynote lectures will be interleaved with offered papers from the best groups working in the UK on such diverse topics as virus discovery, systems biology and viral pathogenesis. A debate addressing reductionism and systems biology will be chaired by the winner of the Wildy Prize in Microbiology Education, Stephen Curry, an avid blogger, proponent of open access and an accomplished structural biologist.
Paul Duprex (Virology Division) David Matthews
The cell cycle is the vital ordered series of events by which one cell grows and divides into two daughter cells. This symposium brings together leaders in the field to showcase diverse areas of cell cycle biology in a broad spectrum of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. In addition to areas of longstanding interest in cell cycle regulation, such as initiation, checkpoint pathways, DNA replication and cytokinesis, areas of emerging interest including links between cell cycle regulation and morphogenesis/differentiation and environmental influences on cell cycle progression are also covered.
Janet Quinn, Richard McCulloch and Petra Oyston
Microbiology underpins many different facets of biotechnology, including traditional practices like brewing and wine-making, production of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, and applications in bioenergy and industrial chemistry. Regardless of the sector, modern biotechnology requires a deep understanding of the biology, genetics and metabolic pathways of the microbes involved. Biotechnology is the interface where fundamental knowledge meets opportunity for exploitation for societal and economic benefit. The fundamental knowledge is required because although microbes possess the underlying potential for applications, in most cases, this potential needs to be developed further to optimise and enhance the relevant traits of the microbe. Traditionally, this optimisation was carried out through mutation and selection, but modern molecular tools now allow us to do this in a much more selective and precise way by specifically remodelling pathways and processes of interest. This is termed metabolic engineering and is a methodology that is coming to the fore in bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Reprogamming pathways and engineering metabolism first requires understanding of pathways and enzymatic reactions, and then implementation of technologies to manipulate those same processes. This symposium has a focus on metabolic engineering of microbes for important applications: biofuels, drugs for treating disease, beverages and enzymes. The scope of the session will include bacteria, algae, yeast and fungi and so provides an overview of how comparable methodologies are used in different organisms for different applications. The potential for synthetic biology is also addressed in several talks. Given the economic importance and societal relevance of the applications discussed, the session should be of interest to any microbiologists or biotechnologists. Furthermore, although there is an emphasis on biotechnology, the underlying need for fundamental knowledge also features and most speakers will address how acquiring basic knowledge can also lead to exploitation. This is very relevant for microbiologists early in their careers as we operate in an era where there is increasing emphasis from funding bodies and others to provide justification for the research that we do and the knowledge we generate.
John Morrisey, Ursula Bond, Elinor Thompson and Rocky Cranenburgh
Pseudomonads comprise a diverse group of animal, plant and environmental bacteria and can be viewed from pathogenic and beneficial perspectives. This symposium will bring together aspects of the complex regulatory systems that these bacteria use to communicate between each other and interact with other cells they come in contact with. To enable these versatile bacteria to establish themselves they secrete a wide range of molecules. Protein, lipopeptide and peptidoglycan localization will be presented to provide a platform to present a range of secretion machineries. It is becoming evident that the Pseudomonads are an ideal community in which to understand social interactions and the drivers behind evolution. How this dovetails with successful infection and the influences of metabolic regulation will be presented. To bring together the vibrant Pseudomomonas community the symposium includes a half day forum for early career scientists to present their work and stimulate discussion with the prominent invited speakers.
Kim Hardie, Gail Preston and Kalai Mathee
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a long-standing and current health policy issue. Moreover, microbial infections are also a significant cause of reproductive health issues in animals, e.g. foetus malformation, abortion and infertility. This symposium will highlight recent advances in the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of infection and immunity in the genital and reproductive systems of humans and animals. The symposium will also address current trends in diagnostics, prevention and treatment options for antibiotic-resistant and sensitive infections.
Geertje van Keulen, Gill Douce, Lucinda Hall (co-opted) and Nicola Rose
Claude Lévi-Strauss said “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, [s]he's one who asks the right questions.” Our goal for this symposium was to make it inclusive by using social media to ask as many people as possible to submit their burning questions in virology. Twitter, Facebook, virology blogs, email and podcasts attracted a plethora of diverse questions that spanned the breath of fundamental and applied virology. Ranging from, “Where do viruses come from?”, to “How do viruses spread?” and “Why don't we have a vaccine against HIV yet?”, an engaging and provocative group of speakers will try to answer these pertinent and challenging questions. Keynote lectures will be interleaved with offered papers from the best groups working in the UK on such diverse topics as virus discovery, systems biology and viral pathogenesis. A debate addressing reductionism and systems biology will be chaired by the winner of the Wildy Prize in Microbiology Education, Stephen Curry, an avid blogger, proponent of open access and an accomplished structural biologist.
Paul Duprex (Virology Division) David Matthews
The cell cycle is the vital ordered series of events by which one cell grows and divides into two daughter cells. This symposium brings together leaders in the field to showcase diverse areas of cell cycle biology in a broad spectrum of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. In addition to areas of longstanding interest in cell cycle regulation, such as initiation, checkpoint pathways, DNA replication and cytokinesis, areas of emerging interest including links between cell cycle regulation and morphogenesis/differentiation and environmental influences on cell cycle progression are also covered.
Janet Quinn, Richard McCulloch and Petra Oyston
Microbiology underpins many different facets of biotechnology, including traditional practices like brewing and wine-making, production of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, and applications in bioenergy and industrial chemistry. Regardless of the sector, modern biotechnology requires a deep understanding of the biology, genetics and metabolic pathways of the microbes involved. Biotechnology is the interface where fundamental knowledge meets opportunity for exploitation for societal and economic benefit. The fundamental knowledge is required because although microbes possess the underlying potential for applications, in most cases, this potential needs to be developed further to optimise and enhance the relevant traits of the microbe. Traditionally, this optimisation was carried out through mutation and selection, but modern molecular tools now allow us to do this in a much more selective and precise way by specifically remodelling pathways and processes of interest. This is termed metabolic engineering and is a methodology that is coming to the fore in bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Reprogamming pathways and engineering metabolism first requires understanding of pathways and enzymatic reactions, and then implementation of technologies to manipulate those same processes. This symposium has a focus on metabolic engineering of microbes for important applications: biofuels, drugs for treating disease, beverages and enzymes. The scope of the session will include bacteria, algae, yeast and fungi and so provides an overview of how comparable methodologies are used in different organisms for different applications. The potential for synthetic biology is also addressed in several talks. Given the economic importance and societal relevance of the applications discussed, the session should be of interest to any microbiologists or biotechnologists. Furthermore, although there is an emphasis on biotechnology, the underlying need for fundamental knowledge also features and most speakers will address how acquiring basic knowledge can also lead to exploitation. This is very relevant for microbiologists early in their careers as we operate in an era where there is increasing emphasis from funding bodies and others to provide justification for the research that we do and the knowledge we generate.
John Morrisey, Ursula Bond, Elinor Thompson and Rocky Cranenburgh
Pseudomonads comprise a diverse group of animal, plant and environmental bacteria and can be viewed from pathogenic and beneficial perspectives. This symposium will bring together aspects of the complex regulatory systems that these bacteria use to communicate between each other and interact with other cells they come in contact with. To enable these versatile bacteria to establish themselves they secrete a wide range of molecules. Protein, lipopeptide and peptidoglycan localization will be presented to provide a platform to present a range of secretion machineries. It is becoming evident that the Pseudomonads are an ideal community in which to understand social interactions and the drivers behind evolution. How this dovetails with successful infection and the influences of metabolic regulation will be presented. To bring together the vibrant Pseudomomonas community the symposium includes a half day forum for early career scientists to present their work and stimulate discussion with the prominent invited speakers.
Kim Hardie, Gail Preston and Kalai Mathee
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a long-standing and current health policy issue. Moreover, microbial infections are also a significant cause of reproductive health issues in animals, e.g. foetus malformation, abortion and infertility. This symposium will highlight recent advances in the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of infection and immunity in the genital and reproductive systems of humans and animals. The symposium will also address current trends in diagnostics, prevention and treatment options for antibiotic-resistant and sensitive infections.
Geertje van Keulen, Gill Douce, Lucinda Hall (co-opted) and Nicola Rose
This symposium will involve issues relevant to the UK Clinical Virology Network (www.clinicalvirology.org). In particular with concentrate on emerging infections/issues or new guidelines.
Kevin Brown
Claude Lévi-Strauss said “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, [s]he's one who asks the right questions.” Our goal for this symposium was to make it inclusive by using social media to ask as many people as possible to submit their burning questions in virology. Twitter, Facebook, virology blogs, email and podcasts attracted a plethora of diverse questions that spanned the breath of fundamental and applied virology. Ranging from, “Where do viruses come from?”, to “How do viruses spread?” and “Why don't we have a vaccine against HIV yet?”, an engaging and provocative group of speakers will try to answer these pertinent and challenging questions. Keynote lectures will be interleaved with offered papers from the best groups working in the UK on such diverse topics as virus discovery, systems biology and viral pathogenesis. A debate addressing reductionism and systems biology will be chaired by the winner of the Wildy Prize in Microbiology Education, Stephen Curry, an avid blogger, proponent of open access and an accomplished structural biologist.
Paul Duprex (Virology Division) David Matthews
The cell cycle is the vital ordered series of events by which one cell grows and divides into two daughter cells. This symposium brings together leaders in the field to showcase diverse areas of cell cycle biology in a broad spectrum of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. In addition to areas of longstanding interest in cell cycle regulation, such as initiation, checkpoint pathways, DNA replication and cytokinesis, areas of emerging interest including links between cell cycle regulation and morphogenesis/differentiation and environmental influences on cell cycle progression are also covered.
Janet Quinn, Richard McCulloch and Petra Oyston
Microbiology underpins many different facets of biotechnology, including traditional practices like brewing and wine-making, production of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals, and applications in bioenergy and industrial chemistry. Regardless of the sector, modern biotechnology requires a deep understanding of the biology, genetics and metabolic pathways of the microbes involved. Biotechnology is the interface where fundamental knowledge meets opportunity for exploitation for societal and economic benefit. The fundamental knowledge is required because although microbes possess the underlying potential for applications, in most cases, this potential needs to be developed further to optimise and enhance the relevant traits of the microbe. Traditionally, this optimisation was carried out through mutation and selection, but modern molecular tools now allow us to do this in a much more selective and precise way by specifically remodelling pathways and processes of interest. This is termed metabolic engineering and is a methodology that is coming to the fore in bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Reprogamming pathways and engineering metabolism first requires understanding of pathways and enzymatic reactions, and then implementation of technologies to manipulate those same processes. This symposium has a focus on metabolic engineering of microbes for important applications: biofuels, drugs for treating disease, beverages and enzymes. The scope of the session will include bacteria, algae, yeast and fungi and so provides an overview of how comparable methodologies are used in different organisms for different applications. The potential for synthetic biology is also addressed in several talks. Given the economic importance and societal relevance of the applications discussed, the session should be of interest to any microbiologists or biotechnologists. Furthermore, although there is an emphasis on biotechnology, the underlying need for fundamental knowledge also features and most speakers will address how acquiring basic knowledge can also lead to exploitation. This is very relevant for microbiologists early in their careers as we operate in an era where there is increasing emphasis from funding bodies and others to provide justification for the research that we do and the knowledge we generate.
John Morrisey, Ursula Bond, Elinor Thompson and Rocky Cranenburgh
Pseudomonads comprise a diverse group of animal, plant and environmental bacteria and can be viewed from pathogenic and beneficial perspectives. This symposium will bring together aspects of the complex regulatory systems that these bacteria use to communicate between each other and interact with other cells they come in contact with. To enable these versatile bacteria to establish themselves they secrete a wide range of molecules. Protein, lipopeptide and peptidoglycan localization will be presented to provide a platform to present a range of secretion machineries. It is becoming evident that the Pseudomonads are an ideal community in which to understand social interactions and the drivers behind evolution. How this dovetails with successful infection and the influences of metabolic regulation will be presented. To bring together the vibrant Pseudomomonas community the symposium includes a half day forum for early career scientists to present their work and stimulate discussion with the prominent invited speakers.
Kim Hardie, Gail Preston and Kalai Mathee
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a long-standing and current health policy issue. Moreover, microbial infections are also a significant cause of reproductive health issues in animals, e.g. foetus malformation, abortion and infertility. This symposium will highlight recent advances in the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of infection and immunity in the genital and reproductive systems of humans and animals. The symposium will also address current trends in diagnostics, prevention and treatment options for antibiotic-resistant and sensitive infections.
Geertje van Keulen, Gill Douce, Lucinda Hall (co-opted) and Nicola Rose
This symposium will involve issues relevant to the UK Clinical Virology Network (www.clinicalvirology.org). In particular with concentrate on emerging infections/issues or new guidelines.
Kevin Brown
Offered papers will be welcome in any area of microbial ecology, symbiotic and non-pathogenic plant-microbe interactions, community structures and interactions, aquatic- and geo-microbiology, extremophiles, biodegradation, bioremediation, biodiversity and prokaryote evolution.
Julian Marchesi and Graeme Nicol
Offered papers will be welcome in any area related to infections caused by prokaryotes of human, veterinary or botanical significance including epidemiology, diagnosis, identification, typing, pathogenesis, treatment, antimicrobial agents and resistance, prevention, virulence factors, host responses and immunity, transmission, and models of infection at the cell, tissue or whole organism level. Papers on interactions between non-pathogenic prokaryotes or indigenous microbiota and the host will also be welcome.
Gill Douce, Petra Oyston
This workshop covers all aspects of DNA virology. It will be structured around the typical life-cycle of the viruses and will start with pathogenesis, to focus attendees on the diversity of the diseases caused by these viruses. The sessions will then move to virus entry, uncoating, replication, transcription, assembly/structure and egress. Human and animal pathogens will be covered and there will be the opportunity for clinicians to present studies on ongoing outbreaks or epidemiological data. Cellular immunology studies will help to illustrate how these viruses interact and abrogate immune responses. Finally applied aspects of DNA virology such as vaccination, antiviral or gene therapeutic approaches will illustrate how these viruses are being harnessed for treatment of disease.
Sally Roberts, David Matthews, Michelle West, James Stewart
Negative strand viruses are a large and diverse group of viruses that includes many emerging and re-emerging pathogens, but also the agents of classical diseases of humans, animals and plants. We will welcome abstracts on any aspect from structure and replication to virus-cell interactions and host responses. We encourage authors wishing to submit abstracts on negative strand viruses regarded as respiratory viruses to also consider submitting their abstract to the workshop that accompanies the special symposium 'Viruses in the Respiratory Tract'.
Janet Daly, Alain Kohl, (Virology Division)
The workshop will encompass all aspects of positive sense RNA virology. It will include pathogenesis, illustrating the range of diseases caused by viruses with a positive sense genome and all aspects of the lifecycle i.e. virus entry, uncoating, translation, replication, assembly and egress. The workshop will aim to cover human, animal and plant viruses and also include data of clinical relevance as well as novel vaccination and antiviral strategies. The interaction between these viruses and the host cell will also be included, especially interactions with the host immune response.
Adrian Fox, Nicola Stonehouse and David Evans
This session brings together for the first time several fascinating examples of microbes altering the behaviour of humans and other animals, either to achieve their own ends or as a side effect of infection or ingestion. The strategies and molecules used by viral, bacterial and eukaryotic commensals and pathogens to influence their more complex hosts will be investigated.
Rocky Cranenburgh
Abstract submission is now invited for this workshop. The aim of the session is to promote discussion of current research in any area of Retrovirology, including vaccinology. Students and post-doctoral scientists are particularly encouraged to present their data. Abstracts should be a maximum of 200 words excluding title. The presenting author’s name should be indicated and their e-mail address included. Please send abstracts to [email protected] or [email protected]. Please be aware that in the event of over-subscription it may be necessary to offer an alternative workshop session or a poster presentation.
Nicola Rose and Catherine Adamson
This session brings together for the first time several fascinating examples of microbes altering the behaviour of humans and other animals, either to achieve their own ends or as a side effect of infection or ingestion. The strategies and molecules used by viral, bacterial and eukaryotic commensals and pathogens to influence their more complex hosts will be investigated.
Rocky Cranenburgh
This workshop covers all aspects of DNA virology. It will be structured around the typical life-cycle of the viruses and will start with pathogenesis, to focus attendees on the diversity of the diseases caused by these viruses. The sessions will then move to virus entry, uncoating, replication, transcription, assembly/structure and egress. Human and animal pathogens will be covered and there will be the opportunity for clinicians to present studies on ongoing outbreaks or epidemiological data. Cellular immunology studies will help to illustrate how these viruses interact and abrogate immune responses. Finally applied aspects of DNA virology such as vaccination, antiviral or gene therapeutic approaches will illustrate how these viruses are being harnessed for treatment of disease.
Sally Roberts, David Matthews, Michelle West, James Stewart
The workshop will encompass all aspects of positive sense RNA virology. It will include pathogenesis, illustrating the range of diseases caused by viruses with a positive sense genome and all aspects of the lifecycle i.e. virus entry, uncoating, translation, replication, assembly and egress. The workshop will aim to cover human, animal and plant viruses and also include data of clinical relevance as well as novel vaccination and antiviral strategies. The interaction between these viruses and the host cell will also be included, especially interactions with the host immune response.
Adrian Fox, Nicola Stonehouse and David Evans
This forum will consider all fundamental aspects of the physiology, biochemistry and structure of prokaryotic cells. This includes metabolism, synthesis and transport of macromolecules, membrane transport of ions and small molecules, the cell cycle, cell architecture, differentiation, sensing and cellular responses, signalling and communication, bioenergetics and the structure, function and mode of action of microbial factors. Papers on the engineering and applications of microbes will also be welcome.
Gail Preston and Sandra Macfarlane
Offered papers on all aspects of the genes and genomes of prokaryotes and their mobile elements will be considered, including their sequencing, transcription, translation, regulation, chromosome dynamics, gene transfer, population genetics and evolution, taxonomy and systematics, comparative genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology.
Nick Thompson and Ross Fitzgerald
Negative strand viruses are a large and diverse group of viruses that includes many emerging and re-emerging pathogens, but also the agents of classical diseases of humans, animals and plants. We will welcome abstracts on any aspect from structure and replication to virus-cell interactions and host responses. We encourage authors wishing to submit abstracts on negative strand viruses regarded as respiratory viruses to also consider submitting their abstract to the workshop that accompanies the special symposium 'Viruses in the Respiratory Tract'.
Janet Daly, Alain Kohl, (Virology Division)
This workshop accompanies the virus symposium taking place on Thursday 17 April ‘Viruses in the Respiratory Tract’. Short talks on any aspect of virus infection of respiratory tract will be presented, including talks on RSV, rhinovirus and influenza.
Wendy Barclay
Abstract submission is now invited for this workshop. The aim of the session is to promote discussion of current research in any area of Retrovirology, including vaccinology. Students and post-doctoral scientists are particularly encouraged to present their data. Abstracts should be a maximum of 200 words excluding title. The presenting author’s name should be indicated and their e-mail address included. Please send abstracts to [email protected] or [email protected]. Please be aware that in the event of over-subscription it may be necessary to offer an alternative workshop session or a poster presentation.
Nicola Rose and Catherine Adamson
The evolution of microbial populations during infection is central to their capacity to adapt to different anatomical niches, evade the host immune system, and overcome therapeutic challenges. For example, antimicrobial treatment may fail due to the development of resistance during bacterial infection, which is often accompanied by transition to a less virulent state during chronic, persistent infection. Traditionally, single clinical isolates have been taken to be representative of infecting populations of bacteria but recent studies employing deep sequencing techniques have revealed considerable diversity among bacterial populations derived from single or closely-related infecting strains. We now have the capacity to address previously intractable questions regarding bacterial diversification and adaptation during infection which will ultimately lead to enhanced understanding of pathogenesis and the nature of epidemics, and will inform the design of effective therapeutic measures. In this symposium, investigators at the forefront of this burgeoning new field will present the latest research and lead discussion on its importance and potential applications.
Ross Fitzgerald, Nick Thompson and Johanna Jeffries
Our understanding of bacterial regulation has been transformed in recent years by the discovery of non-protein based mechanisms. It has become apparent that RNA plays a significant role in controlling bacterial processes. This session will look at the recent progress that has been made in understanding some of these RNA-based regulatory mechanisms, the new paradigms that are emerging, and the development of technologies to facilitate their study.
Petra Oyston
Viruses that transmit via the respiratory route are among the most common acute infections in man and other mammals. It is estimated that every human will experience 2-3 colds per year; that adds up to us spending 2-3 years of our lives with a cold. Ranging from the common cold to Spanish influenza that claimed more than 40 million lives in the pandemic of 1918, respiratory viral infections claim headlines: recent research into influenza transmission resulted in a moratorium; and the new MERS coronavirus carries a high case fatality rate in the handful of people infected so far, worryingly reminiscent of the SARS outbreak of 2003. This symposium will take a closer look at the respiratory tract as a site for viral replication, look into how viruses pass through the air and ask why respiratory viruses cause such a wide range of disease outcomes.
Wendy Barclay
The evolution of microbial populations during infection is central to their capacity to adapt to different anatomical niches, evade the host immune system, and overcome therapeutic challenges. For example, antimicrobial treatment may fail due to the development of resistance during bacterial infection, which is often accompanied by transition to a less virulent state during chronic, persistent infection. Traditionally, single clinical isolates have been taken to be representative of infecting populations of bacteria but recent studies employing deep sequencing techniques have revealed considerable diversity among bacterial populations derived from single or closely-related infecting strains. We now have the capacity to address previously intractable questions regarding bacterial diversification and adaptation during infection which will ultimately lead to enhanced understanding of pathogenesis and the nature of epidemics, and will inform the design of effective therapeutic measures. In this symposium, investigators at the forefront of this burgeoning new field will present the latest research and lead discussion on its importance and potential applications.
Ross Fitzgerald, Nick Thompson and Johanna Jeffries
Our understanding of bacterial regulation has been transformed in recent years by the discovery of non-protein based mechanisms. It has become apparent that RNA plays a significant role in controlling bacterial processes. This session will look at the recent progress that has been made in understanding some of these RNA-based regulatory mechanisms, the new paradigms that are emerging, and the development of technologies to facilitate their study.
Petra Oyston
Viruses that transmit via the respiratory route are among the most common acute infections in man and other mammals. It is estimated that every human will experience 2-3 colds per year; that adds up to us spending 2-3 years of our lives with a cold. Ranging from the common cold to Spanish influenza that claimed more than 40 million lives in the pandemic of 1918, respiratory viral infections claim headlines: recent research into influenza transmission resulted in a moratorium; and the new MERS coronavirus carries a high case fatality rate in the handful of people infected so far, worryingly reminiscent of the SARS outbreak of 2003. This symposium will take a closer look at the respiratory tract as a site for viral replication, look into how viruses pass through the air and ask why respiratory viruses cause such a wide range of disease outcomes.
Wendy Barclay
The Abstracts Book for the Annual Conference 2014 is available to download:
Annual Conference 2014 Abstracts Book
In order to ensure your presentation runs smoothly, you are asked to comply with the following:
Online registration has now closed.
The Registration Desk was located in the Galleria of the Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool.
The Registration Desk was open as follows:
|
Registration categories |
Registration fees |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Affiliate |
£150 |
|
|
Full-Concessionary Member |
£60 |
|
|
Full Member |
£80 |
|
|
Honorary Member |
£0 |
|
|
International Associate Member (Not UK and Ireland) |
£150 |
|
|
International Associate Member |
£60 |
|
|
International Associate Member (eligible for free membership) |
£0 |
|
| Postgraduate Student Member | £60 | |
| Undergraduate Student Member | £0 | |
|
Non-Member (1) |
£150 |
|
|
Non-Member (2) |
£80 |
|
*CVN members are welcome to attend the entire meeting at the rate specified
** From 00:00 on Saturday 15 March 2014 a further £10 late booking fee will be added (per day) to the advertised regsitration fees in the table.
Please note: The Society for General Microbiology lapsed members, who have not paid their membership fees for 2014, will not qualify for reduced registration rates. To renew membership or join the Society please contact +44(0)20 7685 2691 or email [email protected]. It is not possible to renew membership or join the Society during the course of a conference booking.
To qualify for Society member rates, membership subscriptions must be paid by Friday 7 March 2014.
If you need a letter of invitation for a visa application, we will be happy to supply this after we have received full payment. To find out if you need a visa to visit the UK, please visit the UK Border Agency website.
It is the policy of the Society for General Microbiology not to supply an invitation letter to any delegate without payment and we will not reply to any request from an unregistered delegate. When the delegate has paid, the Conference office will email back a confirmation/receipt letter and, upon request, a letter of invitation, which may be used to obtain the necessary visa.
Please note that all conference delegates are responsible for their own travel and visa arrangements; the Society for General Microbiology will not take any responsibility for travel or visa problems.
An email confirming your booking will be sent within one week of receiving your complete registration form.
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.
While every effort will be made to accommodate special dietary requirements, these cannot be guaranteed. Special dietary requirements must be indicated at the time of booking and sent by email to [email protected]. Those with special dietary requirements should identify themselves to a member of the catering team daily and they will be directed accordingly.
Neither the organisers, nor the Society will assume any responsibility whatsoever for damage or injury to persons or property during this event. Participants are advised to arrange their own personal travel and health insurance.
Refunds are not provided, however substitutions of attendees can be made at any time by contacting our [email protected].
View our video from the 2013 Manchester Conference to find out why you should attend in 2014:
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All accommodation can be booked online through Reservation Highway, who have secured a range of options to suit all budgets throughout Liverpool at discounted rates.
Annual Conference 2014 Hotel List
Annual Conference 2014 Reservation Highway Accommodation Booking Form
Accommodation in guesthouses is also available. For further information and booking, please contact Reservation Highway.
Phone: +44 (0)1423 525577
Email: [email protected]
The conference was held at the ACC Liverpool:
Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool
Kings Dock
Liverpool Waterfront
L3 4FP
General enquiries: +44(0)151 475 8888
Email: [email protected]
The conference sessions took place in the BT Convention Centre.
Registration, lunch, refreshments, the exhibition and poster viewing sessions were all held in Hall 2.
Please see the detailed map and directions on the ACC Liverpool website.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the nearest international airport to the ACC Liverpool. The Express Bus Service Route 500 runs between the airport and Liverpool City Centre, stopping within a five-minute walk of Liverpool ACC. For a timetable and route map please visit the Arriva Bus website. Please see the Liverpool Airport website for further details.
National Express coaches run from Manchester airport to Liverpool and takes 50 minutes. Please see the National Express website for information about coach times and fares. Please see the Manchester Airport website for further information and a journey planner.
ACC Liverpool is a 20-minute walk from Lime Street. You can also transfer at Lime Street onto the underground Wirral Line trains to James Street station (10-minute walk) or catch the CityLink Route C4 (7am–8pm) directly to ACC Liverpool. If travelling from outside Merseyside, you can catch an underground train to James Street station from Lime Street station, inclusive of the cost of your ticket.
Information about train times and fares are available from the National Rail enquries website.
Virgin trains offer discounted group travel for groups of between three and nine passengers travelling together. This currently stand at a 20% discount off Advance Fares booked through their website - for more information visit the group page of their website.
Most Liverpool city centre bound buses will call at either Queen Square bus station (a 15-minute walk) or Liverpool ONE Bus Station, which is only a five-minute walk to ACC Liverpool.
The CityLink Route C4 bus links Queen Square bus station, James Street rail station and Liverpool ONE bus station to ACC Liverpool. CityLink Route C4 operates every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday, between 7am and 8pm, with a maximum fare of £1 per journey. Merseytravel prepaid tickets, National Concessionary bus passes and Arriva day tickets are all valid on this service.
For up-to-date information on all bus, train and ferry services, call Traveline Merseyside on 0871 200 22 33, open 8am to 8pm or visit the Merseytravel website.
For information about travel by coach please visit the National Express website.
Please see the ACC Liverpool website for details on local car parks.
The ACC Liverpool is a new building and some satellite navigation devices may not instantly recognise it. This can be rectified by one of the following actions:
Badges can be collected from the Registration Desk at the ACC Liverpool during the following times:
Liverpool ACC will make every effort to cater for special dietary requirements that are requested in advance (at least two weeks before the conference). Please contact [email protected] if you have one of the following special dietary requirements:
Those with special dietary requirements should identify themselves to a member of the catering team daily and they will be directed accordingly.
Virgin trains offer discounted group travel for groups of between three and nine passengers travelling together. This currently stand at a 20% discount off Advance Fares booked through their website - for more information visit the group page of their website.
For ideas on where to dine please visit the Visit Liverpool website.
For information on the current weather forecast for Liverpool, please visit BBC Weather website.
For further information on what to see and do in Liverpool please view the Visit Liverpool website.
The Society for Microbiology Annual Conference 2014 welcomed over 1,000 delegates to the ACC Liverpool and provided the perfect opportunity for organisations to meet influential researchers and scientists from all areas of microbiology.
There were opportunities to exhibit, sponsor materials and host non-competing satellite symposia. The Exhibition and Promotion Guide, including the booking form, can be downloaded below.
Annual Conference 2014 Exhibitor and Promotion Guide
An up-to-date plan of the available space is also downloadable:
Annual Conference 2014 Exhibitor Floor Plan
For further details, please contact: [email protected].
For 3x2 metre stand space located in the main exhibition area, which will also feature:
Opportunities exist to talk directly to delegates via a Satellite Symposium session. One non-competing session is available on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April from 5.35pm until 6.10pm.
The Programme Book contains all logistical and programme information and is distributed to all delegates. Opportunities exist to advertise (full colour) within it.
Delegate packs will be available to all attendees. Organisations will be able to include an insert (flyer or sample maximum size A3 folded to A4) within the delegate bags.
Literature will be displayed in the exhibition area. Sponsors will be able to display A4/A5 literature to all delegates attending the conference.