Annual Conference returns – what to look forward to on day one 

If you’re travelling on your own, or if this is your first time at Conference, the Society’s membership colleagues are here to help. You can join the membership team between 08:00 and 10:00 every morning at the Riverside Foyer for an informal chat. They’ll welcome you to the convention centre, tell you a bit about the Society and help you make the most of your time at Conference.

The Open Address, held by Society President Professor Gurdyal Besra, takes place today at 09:00 in the Main Auditorium. This will be followed by the Hot Topic ‘Lessons learned from COVID-19: are we ready for the next pandemic?’ by Stephen Griffin (University of Leeds, UK), Wendy Barclay (Imperial College London, UK), Emma Thomson (University of Glasgow, UK) and Gavin Yamey (Duke University, USA).

Sessions taking place today include:

• Genome dynamics in microbial defence (CRISPR) and invasion (HGT)
• Microbial cell surfaces
• Phylogenomics - dead poll for bacteria?
• Teaching microbiology in higher education symposium
• The remarkable ribosome
• Therapies and vaccines for eukaryotic pathogens
• Thriving under stress: viral manipulation of the cell

See the online programme for more details on today's sessions.

The Prize Medal Lecture, ‘Quorum sensing across domains: from viruses to bacteria to eukaryotes,’ by prize winner Professor Bonnie Bassler (Princeton University, USA) is taking place from 17:40–18:30 in the Main Auditorium, via recording. After the Prize Medal Lecture, Professor Bonnie Bassler will be taking part in a live Q&A chaired by the nominator and co-Chair of the Impact and Influence Committee, Dr Chloe James.

Poster presentations in Block A will take place from 18:30–20:00. Delegates have the chance to network, socialise with peers and view the posters on display while grabbing a drink using the drinks vouchers included in the name badge.

Tonight’s social event, which has now sold out, is ‘The Belfast Story’, which begins at 19:45 at The Dark Horse, 30 Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LB. Attendees can look forward to some local delicacies, including a traditional Belfast drink during the cultural showcase celebrating the city’s history.

Walkaround ICC Belfast

The Society is delighted to be back in Belfast and its International Convention Centre to host the organisation’s flagship meeting. The short video above shows how to get to the venue and a look inside.

For more information about Annual Conference 2022, visit our virtual event platform and app or event page, and join the conversation on Twitter @MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #Microbio22.

Image: ICC Belfast