Pseudomonas species attract scientists from all disciplines of life sciences. The taxa are a remarkable example of metabolic versatility, with an extraordinary ability to colonize a wide range of biotic and abiotic niches that range from aquatic habitats, soil, and plants to animals and humans. The International Biennial Pseudomonas Conference inaugurated 37 years ago (1986), aims at promoting and consolidating academic, clinical, industrial, and social collaborations among all scientists across multiple Pseudomonas research disciplines. The 19th edition of the conference will take place in September 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark—a hub of Pseudomonas aficionados with a long tradition of researching this bacterial genus at multiple levels and applications. The organizing committee looks forward to the upcoming Pseudomonas conference that, in the spirit of this meeting series, will strive to provide broad coverage of various Pseudomonas species and their role in fundamental and applied research while fostering the active participation of both young and established researchers from across the globe.
About Copenhagen: It would be easy to be charmed by Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Copenhagen Airport is just 15 minutes from the city center, and the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel where the conference will take place—it's easy to get around the city on foot, by metro, by bus or by bike. Copenhagen is a clean, safe, and relaxed city, home to some leading groups in Pseudomonas research and cozy cafés, shops, and some of the best restaurants in Scandinavia. Winding alleys, pioneering architecture, and exciting attractions perfectly blend old and new.
Copenhagen is a frontrunner in adopting sustainable solutions, and the city has one of the world's most ambitious climate policies. Bold urban planning and architectural masterpieces surround Copenhagen’s historic buildings. And in case you fancy gastronomical experiences, you won't be stuck for options after your meetings. A whopping 39 Michelin stars were awarded to Denmark in 2022-24 in Copenhagen.
Local organizing committee:
International Organizing Committee:
Daniel Pletzer, University of Otago, New Zealand
As part of the preparations for Microbiology Society events, 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.
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 #Pseudomonas2024.
Image credit: Maria Gracia Alvan, Òscar Puiggené & Filippo Federici
This session discusses the latest omics technologies — spanning genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, including modeling and in silico approaches — to decipher the complex regulatory mechanisms of Pseudomonas species. The ultimate goal is to translate this research into applications across healthcare, environment, sustainability, and biotechnology while showcasing the genetic diversity, metabolic capabilities, and collective behavior (e.g. quorum sensing and biofilm formation) of the genus through selected case studies.
This session evaluates current and emerging approaches to explore antimicrobial tolerance mechanisms in Pseudomonas spp. The efficacy of existing treatments, multi-resistant strain challenges, and the transition of innovations from research to clinical (both human and veterinary) and agricultural practice will be fully addressed, emphasizing regulatory and trial obstacles. Innovative drug development strategies and cutting-edge fundamental research will be showcased, discussing the integration of effective therapeutic integration and commonly used approaches to combat Pseudomonas infections.
By exploring the dynamics of Pseudomonas infections across biological kingdoms, this session will highlight bacterial adaptability and its role in disease mechanisms. We will delve into the ecological significance of Pseudomonas in the context of different interaction scenarios. Comparing defense mechanisms across humans, animals, plants, and marine life will underscore the need for innovative diagnostics and therapeutics, advocating for cross-disciplinary collaboration and sustainable approaches in understanding and managing Pseudomonas infections.
This session explores the metabolic and physiological traits of Pseudomonas species underlying the remarkable adaptability and versatility of the genus. We will learn about the diverse metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms that both allow Pseudomonas to thrive in various environments and underscore the use of Pseudomonas species in bioremediation and biotechnology.
Delving into the rational engineering of Pseudomonas species towards multiple applications, this session focuses on their potential for the production of chemicals, biopolymers, and enzymes. The session will highlight contemporary synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies to either enhance the natural capacity of Pseudomonas as a microbial cell factory or to bestow completely new-to-nature traits of industrial interest. Along with the latest developments in the field, we will discuss the challenges of scaling-up, regulatory frameworks, and ensuring economic and environmental sustainability.
Aiming to unravel the evolutionary trajectories of Pseudomonas species in different scenarios, this session will discuss the genetic and ecological mechanisms shaping their diversity and adaptability. These aspects cover horizontal gene transfer, mutation profiles, selection pressures, and coevolutionary relationships with hosts, competitors, and predators — offering insights into microbial interactions in both natural and laboratory conditions, with a focus on the ability of Pseudomonas spp. to thrive in changing environments.
This session emphasizes the contribution of Pseudomonas to sustainability and environmental health by investigating the ecological roles of the genus. Agriculture, bioremediation, and biocontrol capabilities will be used as examples to discuss how Pseudomonas spp. support sustainability approaches. By highlighting symbiotic relationships in the rhizosphere and leveraging these for agriculture and soil health, the session will offer insights into harnessing Pseudomonas for environmental applications and sustainable practices.
Disentangling the complex web of interactions involving Pseudomonas species, this session stresses the ecological, evolutionary, and biotechnological implications of microbial interactions across kingdoms and environments. We will learn about symbiotic, antagonistic, and competitive dynamics with plants, animals, microbes, and fungi, analyzing their roles in ecosystem dynamics and microbial communities. The examples discussed in this session will deepen our appreciation for the inherent complexity of microbial lifestyles — and how to harness them for several applications.
Pseudomonads are a topic that attracts researchers from all over the life sciences: these bacteria are nutritionally versatile and colonize various animated and inanimate niches, ranging from aquatic habitats, soil, and plants to animals and humans. The conference was inaugurated some 37 years ago to promote academic and social collaborations among all scientists in the research fields of Pseudomonas. This genus contains human, animal, and plant pathogens and biocontrol agents. Pseudomonas putida, for instance, is exploited for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, and this bacterium has also been the workhorse for synthesizing compounds in pharmaceutics and agriculture. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes debilitating outcomes in humans, including blindness and death. The intrinsic and emerging antibiotic resistance confounds the ability to eradicate or control P. aeruginosa infections. In plants, Pseudomonas syringae can cause devastating diseases that can destroy crops such as tomatoes by releasing plant toxins. Interestingly, certain Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida strains can be used to protect the roots of plants against fungi such as Fusarium and Pythium. Thus, the Pseudomonas conferences have become a venue for researchers from many disciplines who usually will not meet each other during their academic careers.
The Pseudomonas conferences are among the few regular events solely organized by individuals and not by any institution. Initially held as an EMBO workshop in 1986 and chaired by Ken Timmis, the Pseudomonas conferences have become a recurring biannual event hosted by a dedicated Pseudomonas researcher and his local team. Many, but not all, conferences were supported by learned societies. Conference proceedings have been published as monographs, or – more often – topics emerging at the conferences were presented as primary research papers in Special Issues, e.g., FEMS Microbiology Letters or Environmental Microbiology. Biotechnologists, plant pathologists, structural and molecular biologists, geneticists and biochemists, environmental and clinical microbiologists, clinicians, metabolic engineers and primary and applied researchers came together because they shared their common interest in having pseudomonads as their primary subject. This is the spirit that we will keep in the current edition of the Pseudomonas Conference in Copenhagen, 2024.
Registration for International Biennial Pseudomonas Conference is now open.
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.
Early bird discounted rates close on 13 June 2024, 23:59 (midnight) BST.
| Ticket | Early bird | Full Price |
| Microbiology Society Full member – for those with an academic or professional interest in microbiology. |
€750 | €850 |
|
Microbiology Society Student member - |
€425 | €470 |
|
Microbiology Society Concessionary member – for those with an academic or professional interest in microbiology earning less than £35,000 (or equivalent) per year. |
€660 | €700 |
| Non-member | €1,130 | €1,225 |
Upon registration, you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] after 24 hours, this has not been received.
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 Denmark, please visit the “Visit Denmark” website.
Please note that all conference delegates are responsible for their own travel and visa arrangements; the Microbiology Society will not take any responsibility for travel or visa problems.
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].
The abstract submission is now remain open and close on Monday, 1st July 2024. The late breaking abstract notifications will be sent out on mid of July. Please note that any late-breaking abstracts submitted will be considered for flash poster / poster-presentations only.
Abstract
For those who have already submitted their abstracts by the initial deadline of 18th April 2024, notifications regarding acceptance, rejection, and presentation format (poster or oral) will be sent out in mid-May.
Abstracts are welcome for any of the following topics:
Both members and non-members of the Microbiology Society are welcome to submit an abstract for the meeting. All offered oral presentations, and posters will be selected from the abstracts submitted. Once submissions are closed, they will be reviewed by the organising committee and submitters will be notified of the outcome directly.
By submitting an abstract to this meeting, you are indicating to the session organisers your commitment to attend the event.
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.pdf
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 Grand Ball & Amalienborg Rooms | Scandic Copenhagen Hotel.
Find the google map here.
The Scandic Copenhagen Hotel is located at Vester Søgade 6, DK-1601, Copenhagen V, Denmark.
Scandic Copenhagen Hotel is a contemporary hotel with impressive views of the Lakes and Copenhagen skyline. The hotel is within walking distance from the railway station, metro, city hall, and famous Tivoli Gardens.
• 300 m to Copenhagen Vesterport Station
• 500 m to Copenhagen Central Station (train and metro)
• 12 km to Copenhagen Airport
Scandic Copenhagen Hotel offers a limited number of rooms with breakfast at a discount for conference delegates for the nights of either 1-4 September or 1-5 September 2024. Please use the same booking code BFIR010924. This code is only valid until the 1 August 2024, and the room can be canceled on or before the 1 August 2024.
The following rates have been secured at the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel:
Standard Single room : Kr 1,345 per room with breakfast per night
Standard Twin room : Kr 1,395 per room with breakfast per night
Superior / Family room : Kr 1,495 per room with breakfast per night
If you have any questions or need assistance with accommodation arrangements, please email the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel reservation team at [email protected]. They will be happy to assist you with any inquiries.
Reservations: [email protected]
Telephone number: +45 33143535
All registered delegates attending the conference are invited to join a relaxing canal tour on Wednesday, September 4th, after the close of the day's sessions. This scenic tour will wind its way through Copenhagen's iconic waterways, showcasing the city's architectural gems and charming neighbourhoods. It will a perfect opportunity to unwind and network with fellow attendees.
Highlights:
Explore Copenhagen's iconic landmarks, such as the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace, and the charming neighbourhood of Christianshavn by the canal. For more details, please take a look the canal route.
Trip Details:
Date: September 4th 2024 (Wednesday).
Time: 6 pm (After the close of the day's conference sessions).
** The last boat will depart at 6:30 pm. Delegates must ensure they arrive at the meeting point before this time. After 6:30 pm, delegates will not be able to join the canal trip **
Members of the organizing committee will be available to walk to delegates to the departure point (details to be shared during the conference).
Duration: The canal tour to last between 1.5 and 2 hours
Complimentary access: The canal trip is included with your conference registration for all delegates at no additional cost.
Guided tour: The tour will be conducted in English, featuring commentary on the city's history, architecture, and significant landmarks.
Meeting Point:
The canal tour starting location is conveniently located within a mere 20-minute stroll from the conference venue (head towards Kalvebod Bølge, next to the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel). You'll find the meeting point easily at the wooden dock structure there. MEETING POINT MAP
Drop-Off Points:
The tour concludes at, opposite the Royal Playhouse in central Copenhagen. This location offers convenient access to public transportation following the canal trip and several restaurants and bars.
Accessibility:
Please be aware that the canal boats are NOT equipped with wheelchair access. Foldable wheelchairs can be brought on board, but passengers need to be carried into the boat. The wheelchair user needs to navigate stairs with the aid of a handrail to a seat. It is NOT possible to sit in the wheelchair during the tour. Unfortunately, electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters are NOT allowed on board.
Important Safety Notice:
The canal tour will be cancelled in the event of severe weather conditions such as storms or dense fog that compromise safe navigation.
Additional Guests:
If delegates wish to bring family or friends for the boat trip, please note that priority will be given to registered delegates. Additional guests may join on a first-come, first-served basis if there are available vacant spaces. If you plan to bring a guest, please fill in the Additional Guests Request Form and we will get back to you regarding availability closer to the event day. The cost for each additional guest is £16 / €19 / USD$20. Should you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available for this conference. For more information, please get in touch with [email protected].
International Biennial Pseudomonas Conference Exhibition and Sponsorship Brochure
