Focused Meetings and events update

The conferences and events team delivered five successful Focused Meetings throughout the year, rounding off the 2019 programme. The Focused Meetings are key events in the Society’s calendar, presenting opportunities for microbiologists with shared interests to explore new scientific research, form new connections and hear from a varied line-up of distinguished invited speakers.

Anaerobe 2019: Changing perceptions of anaerobic bacteria; from pathogen to the normal microbiota and back

13–14 June 2019 | Jurys Inn Cardiff, UK

Our first Focused Meeting of the year took place in Cardiff and was organised in collaboration with the Society for Anaerobic Microbiology and Welsh Microbiological Association.

The meeting was very well received, as it provided scientific insights into the future impact of anaerobic bacteria in human health and disease, addressing the implications of recent microbiota studies as well as the continued threat of emerging and re-emerging anaerobic infection.

British Yeast Group 2019: Discovery to Impact

26–28 June 2019 | County Hotel, Newcastle, UK

The Microbiology Society was pleased to once again incorporate the ‘BYG’ meeting into its Focused Meeting programme this year, bringing together members of the British Yeast Community at this long-standing annual event.

Over 70 delegates from throughout the UK and beyond enjoyed three days of fantastic science, exploring the theme of Discovery to Impact. The meeting also featured a varied social programme, offering delegates plenty of opportunities to make new connections, discuss research projects and strengthen relationships in the scientific community.

IMAV 2019: International Meeting on Arboviruses and their Vectors

5–6 September 2019 | University of Glasgow, UK

The third IMAV: International Meeting on Arboviruses and their Vectors took place in Glasgow in September and proved again to be a great success.

This series of meetings is getting stronger and stronger and becoming a must-attend event for the arbovirus research community. We look forward to the next meeting in 2021.

Microbes in Medicine: A Century of Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin

24–25 October 2019 | Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

In 2019 the discipline of microbiology celebrated its centenary year and we marked the occasion at the penultimate Focused Meeting of our 2019 programme.

The meeting, at Trinity College Dublin, brought together scientists and medical practitioners with an interest in the use of microbes and microbial products to treat and prevent diseases to hear a range of fascinating talks from renowned invited speakers and early career researchers. The Society was pleased to incorporate a special presentation from session organiser, Charles Dorman, who delivered the prestigious Trinity College Dublin Inaugural Lecture to meeting delegates and a range of invited guests.

Antimicrobial drug discovery from traditional and historical medicine

29 October 2019 | Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

Great networking opportunities were created at the Focused Meeting: Antimicrobial drug discovery from traditional and historical medicine in Oxford. This new format meeting has been very positively welcomed by attendees and helped to build new effective networks for researches from a range of fields including microbiology, chemistry, botany and the history of medicine.

Focused Meetings 2020

Our 2020 Focused Meeting programme is now online – visit the events area of the website for the most up-to-date information. Don’t forget that our Scientific Conferences Committee is always open to new proposals to become part of our future events programme.

Why not discuss your ideas with our Head of Conferences and Events, Laura Crick ([email protected])?

Candida and Candidiasis 2020 – Abstracts open

Abstract submission is now open for Candida and Candidiasis 2020, taking place in Montreal, Canada, 19–23 April 2020. The abstract deadline is 9 January 2020.

Further details can be found on the event page.

Call for Annual Conference Sessions Proposals

The deadline to send your session ideas for our Annual Conference 2021 is 16 December 2019. We welcome session suggestions from members working in any field of microbiology. If you have an idea for a session and would like it to be considered by our Divisions at our next conferences and events planning day, we want to hear from you. The Divisions meet in January every year and if your suggestion is accepted, the Scientific Conferences Committee (SCC) will appoint experienced session organisers to finalise the session programme. Visit the events area of the website to download the suggestion form.

Society-Supported Conference Grants

The Microbiology Society provides financial support for events held by members in all areas of microbiology. The deadline for the next round of applications for a Society-Supported Conference Grant is 16 December 2019. Members can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 towards covering the costs of invited speakers, travel and accommodation. More information, including the eligibility criteria and the application form, can be found in the grants area of the website.

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Image 1: Group photo of Anaerobe 2019: Changing perceptions of anaerobic bacteria; from pathogen to the normal microbiota and back delegates.

Image 2: Group photo of British Yeast Group: Discovery to Impact delegates.

Image 3: Group photo of IMAV 2019: International Meeting of Arboviruses and their Vectors delegates.

Image 4: Group photo of Microbes in Medicine: A Century of Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin delegates.

Image 5: Group photo of Antimicrobial drug discovery from traditional and historical medicine delegates.