Yeasts are very versatile, model unicellular eukaryotes that have been extensively used for over a century to explore fundamental aspects of living systems. Initially the focus of this research was their biochemistry and metabolism and more recently the cell and molecular biology of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the last 20+ years has seen increasing research with other yeasts and in particular the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans; the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe; and the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. There is also an increasing diversity in the topics being researched, from basic microbiology to biotechnology to evolution and systems biology, driven in part by a greater understanding of these ‘simple’ eukaryotes coupled with an ever expanding repertoire of powerful tools and technologies which emerge from the global ‘yeast community’ at an astonishing rate. Yeasts also represent highly versatile expression systems for high value recombinant proteins.
Since the early 1980s, the British ‘yeast community’ has gathered once a year to report on and discuss the new findings that are emerging from this research, gatherings that were eventually badged as British Yeast Group (BYG) meetings. The BYG meetings are seen as an important vehicle for early career yeast researchers to present their research as well as a chance to hear the major figures in British yeast research talking about the latest developments from their laboratories
We are pleased that BYG and the Microbiology Society jointly organised the 2017 meeting. This Focused Meeting was effectively BYG2017 but with a subtitle of “The versatility of yeasts”. The ethos of the BYG remains, ensuring that young yeast researchers (both PhD and postdoc level) from the UK, Ireland or further afield, could present their recent results either through talks or posters. These were alongside a number of keynote talks from the both established and new PIs who use yeast(s) as their model organisms of choice. The aim was to illustrate the ‘versatility of yeasts’ in a wide range of fundamental and applied research contexts.
In working together to run this meeting, we hoped to attract a wider range of attendees; those considering working with yeasts, new group leaders and, given the geographic location of the meeting (Canterbury), researchers from France and Belgium and perhaps further afield. The meeting was organised by the Kent Fungal Group, one of the largest collection of yeast researchers in the UK.
This event took place 11–13 September 2017 at the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Organising committee: Mick Tuite, Campbell Gourlay, Alessia Buscaino, Chieh Hsu, Tobias Von der Haar and Lee Byrne.
For any inquiries, please email [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter @MicrobioSoc
Updates on The Versatility of Yeasts can be found using the hashtag: #BYGVOY17
Image: Kent Fungal Group, University of Kent.
The poster abstract book can be downloaded below.
Poster abstract book
Abstracts should be a maximum of 250 words. The Society has produced a guide to give delegates some tips from the session organisers 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 conference – so think carefully about what needs to be included.
Those who are presenting a poster must ensure that their work is presented as below. We cannot accommodate incorrectly formatted posters during the meeting.
For tips on how to best prepare a poster presentation please click on the following link.
How to... give a poster presentation
In order to ensure your presentation runs smoothly, you are asked to comply with the following:
For tips on how best to prepare an oral presentation please click on the following link.
How to... give an oral presentation
Registration is now closed.
| Early bird rate | After 31 July 2017 | |
| Full Member | £150 | £200 |
| Postgraduate and Undergraduate Student Member | £120 | £170 |
| Non-member | £250 | £300 |
| Student non-member | £160 | £210 |
Society Conference Grants will be available to support eligible members wishing to present at this Focused Meeting. Support is also available for members requiring support for caring costs associated with conference attendance. The closing date for applications is to be confirmed. You can apply for a grant before receiving notification about the outcome of your abstract submission. A conditional grant offer can be made without evidence of abstract acceptance if unavailable at the time of application, however evidence must be provided to claim any grant offered.
Upon registration you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] if 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 UK, please visit the UK visa and immigration 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 meeting. Any outstanding registration fees must be paid before admittance will be granted to the meeting.
Substitutions of attendees can be made at any time by contacting [email protected].
The meeting was held at Keynes College, University of Kent.
Canterbury campus guide
You can plan your train travel through the National Rail website. The closest rail station to Keynes College is Canterbury West. Taxis/Uber from the station to the venue cost between £5–£10. Alternatively, you can download and open a bus route map around Keynes College by clicking here.
On-campus accommodation at Turing College is available for registered delegates. Please visit the Turing College booking website to make a booking.
Alternatively, Canterbury has many hotels and B&Bs. Some options are below:
The City of Canterbury (approximately 9-minute walk) – around £80 per night.
The Black Horse (approximately 23-minute walk or 8-minute bus ride [Triangle 4/uni1/UNI2]) – approximately £85 per night.
Pilgrims Hotel (approximately 27-minute walk or 13-minute bus ride [Triangle 4]) – around £90 per night.
Cathedral Gate (approximately 30-minute walk or 18-minute bus ride [uni1]) – around £82 per night.
Monday 11 September 17:30–19:30 (sponsored by BioProNet)
Tuesday 12 September 18:00–19:15 (sponsored by Singer)
There will be sponsored drinks receptions during the evening poster viewing in the Teaching Foyer and SL17 in Keynes College. These will be fantastic opportunities to create new or bolster old collaborations – make the most of your time to speak to colleagues presenting posters and catch up with those who have given talks.
Monday 11 September 19:30
There will be groups of delegates heading down the hill to enjoy the bright lights of Canterbury. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this historical town.
Tuesday 12 September 19:30
Come rain or shine, this evening at HUT 8, Turing College, will be full of fun – including a BBQ and the catchy harmonies from Project F. Just remember to tune those vocals and bring your dancing shoes! Each delegate will have two drinks tickets in their badge. After that, there will be a cash bar available.
Thank you to our exhibitors and sponsors:
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Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available for this meeting. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Exhibition and Sponsorship Guide and Form
