Exploding giant microbes anyone? The Australian Society for Microbiology achieves critical mass in Canberra

The president of the Australian Society for Microbiology, ASN Conference Organisers and the Local Organising Committee of the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting and Trade Exhibition would like to invite you to Canberra in July 2015 to immerse yourself in the microbial world. It will be cold. You have been warned. But it will be festive.

Australia’s investment in microbiology over the past century has paid handsome dividends. From celebrated medical discoveries to the everyday exploitation of domesticated microbes, the microbiology community in Australia, represented collectively by the Australian Society for Microbiology, have much to be proud of. If not for the accolades of Australian microbiologists on the international stage then for public health campaigns that give us daily reflexes to cover our mouth when we sneeze and wash our hands when they’re dirty. Microbiologists have a huge responsibility to human and environmental health, and the best way to bear that burden is by sharing our knowledge.

The 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting and Trade Exhibition is preceded by the 2nd Annual ASM Educon conference for microbiology educators at ANU’s University House 11-12 July 2015. The program tackles big picture issues such as the need for a national microbiology curriculum, through learning and assessment models, social media and graduate employability. Registration allows access to the opening session of the main course of the gathering.

This includes the Sunday afternoon Public Lecture (12 July) involving a brisk walk across to the Shine Dome co-hosted by the Australian Academy of Sciences. International speakers (Jansson, Giovanoni) join the chair of the LOC (Manefield) to showcase the extraordinary influence of microbes on the planet we cohabit in a three-part presentation From Guts to Great Oceans. This event is catered and Questacon will have a presence so it could get lively. Exploding giant microbes anyone?

It also includes the Bazely Oration across the road in the warmth of our principal conference venue, dressed to the nines, QT Canberra. The oration will be delivered by acclaimed virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka specialising in influenza and Ebola viruses and followed by a welcome reception with trade sponsors and a nightcap in the Capital Bar, all at QT Canberra.

The scientific program proper runs Monday to Wednesday (13-15 July 2015) at QT Canberra showcasing some of the most influential local and international microbiologists in the world. Invited international plenary speakers include Stefan Schwarz (Germany), Chantel Abergel (France), Stephen Giovannoni (USA), Judith Berman (Israel) and Jorge Galen (USA). Acclaimed microbial ecologist of the human gastrointestinal tract Janet Jansson (USA) will deliver the Rubbo Oration on Tuesday evening followed by a formal Rubbo Supper and late-night revelry in QT Canberra’s drawcard bar, Lucky’s. Chief Medical Officer of Australia Chris Baggoley will deliver the Snowden Oration on Wednesday morning. The annual general meeting and awards ceremony of the society will take place over lunch on the Tuesday. The Australasian Mycological Society will join the meeting for the final day on Wednesday, 15 July 2015 flowing into an independent venue on Thursday, 16 July 2015.

Students and early-career researchers are invited to a host of career advancement events including the Nancy Millis Student Mentoring Breakfast and Lunch, the ECR Mentoring Lunch (focus on funding) and an evening of brewing, old-school social networking and unwinding at the awesome Bentspoke Brewery, Canberra. Check out the conference website for ‘buy one get one free’ deals on student registration. Three top-tier poster and trade sessions are woven into the program displaying as much as possible of the talent and tech that we couldn’t fit on stage.

The conference has also attracted a feast of workshops covering imaging, antimicrobials, proteomics, bioinformatics, women in science and Illumina’s sponsored workshop. The Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals Special Interest Group will also host a technical workshop paying tribute to the late Paul Priscott. Other SIGs meeting during the conference include Parisitology and Tropical Medicine, Clinical Serology, Microbial Bioinformatics, Food Microbiology, Antimicrobials, History and Molecular Microbiology.

Outside the luxury of the conference venue, Canberra has a wealth of iconic museums, gardens, galleries, events, exhibitions, sport, scenery and arts, not to mention its thriving food and wine industry. Those of you who know Canberra know the deal. For those of you who don’t, you’re in for a treat so take your time to explore.

This year the traditional divisions recognised by the society (medical/veterinary, virology, environmental, molecular) have been removed to present a more fluid and integrated scientific program. The conference theme (One Microbiology) celebrates a passion for microbiology in all environments regardless of purpose and recognises the profound importance of microbiology and microbiologists to the future of human and environmental health on Earth.

For more details, visit www.asm2015.asnevents.com.au.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Kesu01