Conferences

New Focused Meetings

In 2014 the first two events in the new programme of Focused Meetings, namely Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Soil Microbiology and Modelling Microbial Infection, will take place. As the name suggests, each meeting will entirely focus on a specific area of microbiological science, bringing together microbiologists in the field to exchange ideas, network and explore the latest developments.

We would be grateful if you could encourage colleagues and other members who have an interest in the below topics to register.

Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Soil Microbiology

MONDAY 1–TUESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2014 – HOLYWELL PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF LOUGHBOROUGH

A fundamental knowledge of the functioning of healthy natural and agricultural soils and their resilience is a prerequisite to meeting the many natural and man-made challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, food and (fresh) water security, nutrient cycling and availability, carbon capture, pollution and biodiversity. Microbial communities in soils can affect these processes and also have to be able to adapt to changes in the soil interface with e.g. water distribution, soil/nutrient particles, plants and other soil biota, and gas exchange with the atmosphere.

The last decade has seen tremendous advances in next-generation nucleic acid sequencing, mass spectrometry and high-resolution imaging technologies such as atomic force and confocal microscopy, X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiography, which offer exciting opportunities for soil microbiologists to study the crucial ecological roles of soils. Soil microbial community composition, dynamics and functioning can now be probed into depths not possible before.

This Focused Meeting will bring together soil microbiologists, ecologists, soil scientists, geographers and technologists providing expertise in environmental ‘omics’, imaging and bioinformatics to present and discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in soil microbial ecology and to promote multidisciplinary collaborations. Early-career scientists are especially encouraged to participate.

Topics will include:

• The impact of climate change, water scarcity, flooding and agriculture on soil microbial community functioning and vice versa
• Structural and functional soil microbial diversity
• Biophysical processes affecting the life of soil microbes
• Bioengineering soil sustainability
• Spatial ecology, biogeography and (changes in) land use
• (Re)cycling of nutrients, waste and pollution

Organisers: Geertje van Keulen (Swansea University), Alex Dumbrell (University of Essex) and Wilfred Otten (University of Abertay, Dundee)

Modelling Microbial Infection

MONDAY 17–TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2014 – CHARLES DARWIN HOUSE, LONDON

Infection models are essential for dissecting microbial–host interactions, unravelling disease processes and in the development of novel therapeutic agents. This Focused Meeting will discuss the range of models available to study microbial pathogenesis and will explore how technological advances, such as in vivo imaging, can increase the information obtained from these models. Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection models will be discussed and the use of alternative infection models debated. The use of models for drug discovery/development will also be discussed. This meeting is relevant to any researcher working in the area of microbial pathogenesis and offers the opportunity to learn about the range of models and resources available. The meeting will appeal to scientific researchers at all levels, and in particular PhD students, clinicians and those with an interest in translational and commercial research.

Co-organisers: Donna MacCallum and Carol Munro (University of Aberdeen)

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FOCUSED MEETING OR NEED FUNDING FOR YOUR OWN MICROBIOLOGY MEETING?

Focused Meetings are stand-alone events that take place outside of the Society’s Annual Conference and concentrate on one specific area of microbiology. 

Organisers retain control of the scientific content with the support of the Society’s Scientific Conferences Committee. The proposal forms and full details on how to apply are now available online.

Society-supported Conference Grants

Members can now also apply for a Society-supported Conference Grant to fund reasonable speaker expenses associated with a microbiological conference they are organising. Support is in the form of a grant up to £2,000 but does not include secretariat support. Application forms are available online.

Let’s talk

If you are thinking of submitting proposals/applications for any of the above you are actively encouraged to discuss your proposal prior to submission with the relevant Division. Alternatively, contact the conferences team at [email protected]. Contact details are available on the site.

Deadlines

The above will be reviewed by the Society’s Divisions and the Scientific Conferences Committee.

Society-supported Grants 2015 - Monday 15 December 2014
Annual Conference 2016 - Monday 15 December 2014

Annual Conference 2015

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM

30 March–2 April

Following the success of the Annual Conference 2014, the Society is happy to announce that the next Annual Conference will take place from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Birmingham. The conference will feature four packed days of microbiological science aimed at scientists of all levels. Please keep up to date with information as it is confirmed by visiting the events section of the website.

Dates for the diary

Irish Division Autumn Meeting 2014
Microbe–Host Dialogue
Thursday 21–Friday 22 August 2014
University of Limerick

Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Soil Microbiology
Monday 1–Tuesday 2 September 2014
Holywell Park Conference Centre, University of Loughborough

Modelling Microbial Infection
Monday 17–Tuesday 18 November 2014
Charles Darwin House, London

SGM Annual Conference 2015
Monday 30 March–Thursday 2 April 2015
International Conference Centre, Birmingham