Solving the puzzles of microbiology

The Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting & Trade Exhibition returns to Melbourne in 2014. This is the largest and most prestigious microbiology conference held in Australia and attracts approximately 600 microbiologists, allied professionals, researchers and academics from across the country and around the world. This year’s venue is the Pullman Melbourne in Albert Park, which promises a great environment for scientific and social interactions for all delegates.

The scientific program includes prestigious invited speakers including overseas scientists who are among the most highly renowned and respected microbiologists. The overseas speakers will present at plenary and symposium sessions and there will be ample opportunities to engage with the speakers in workshops and social events. A highlight of the conference will be a special ‘This Week in Microbiology (TWiM) Downunder’ podcast hosted by Vincent Racaniello.

ASM invited speakers

Anne Dell	Imperial College London
Brett Finlay	University of British Columbia
Sheila Lukehart	University of British Columbia
Patrick McGovern	University of Philadelphia Museum
Vincent Racaniello	Columbia University
Rino Rappuoli	Novartis
Roy Robins-Browne	University of Melbourne	Rubbo Oration
Gustav Nossal	Public Lecture
Ben Howden	University of Melbourne	Fenner Lecture

Educators’ Conference

Prior to the conference, the ASM will host the inaugural ASM EduCon, the ASM Educators’ Conference. This will begin on Saturday 5 July with an interactive workshop on Enquiry-Oriented Learning. Two non-concurrent sessions after lunch will discuss Graduate Employability and Active Learning in the Practical Lab and attendees will have the opportunity to inspect the practical laboratories at RMIT University. On Sunday 6 July, a session on Massive Open Online Courses will follow a tour of the new Doherty Institute. The conference will conclude with a working lunch during which the different ways of teaching microbiology on Australian campuses will be explored.

All EduCon attendees will be given the opportunity to attend the opening session of the ASM annual scientific meeting conference at the Pullman hotel in Albert Park, including the Public Lecture, the Bazeley Oration, the Fenner Lecture and the Welcome Reception.

Workshop program

The workshop program begins on Saturday 5 July with a ‘Molecular Diagnostic Workshop’. The workshop will cover basic concepts of molecular diagnosis, assay design, validation, standards and QC, update on various platforms and equipment (and how to choose the right one for your lab), the future (next-gen sequencing, microarrays) and a panel discussion with experts.

Other workshops on Sunday 6 July include:

• Tools for Bioinformatics - a guide to using ‘free’ software/web-based tools relevant to bacterial genomics and an introduction to bacterial genome sequencing);
• MALDI-TOF User Group - a practical workshop discussing how MALDI-TOF has affected the workflow in labs, difficult-to-ID organisms, ‘new’ organisms revealed by MALDI, validation and QC, calibration, NATA requirements, troubleshooting and a panel discussion with selected speakers and reps from manufacturers);
• Antimicrobials - topics covered will be clues in resistance in the lab, AST reporting guidelines - what’s clinically relevant, validation of changing methods (CLSI to EUCAST, CDS to CLSI), NATA requirements and finishing with future of antimicrobial testing (MALDI and molecular methods); and
• Mycology - topics covered will be changing nomenclature, a dry workshop (microscopy and culture) of some common and uncommon fungi, antifungal susceptibility testing and new methods of diagnosis (MALDI and molecular diagnosis).

Infection Control Day

The symposium program offers all delegates an exciting array of topics presented by experts in their fields which encourage cross-disciplinary interactions across all areas of microbiology. A highlight of the program is the ‘Infection Control Day’ on Monday 7 July, which will include sessions on:

• Multiple drug resistance in Gram negative rods;
• New technologies; complemented by an
• Infection Control Discussion Panel; and
• News from the Hospitals - an evening event  hosted by the Victorian ASM Branch where case studies will be presented.

Student members are invited to participate in the Nancy Millis Mentorship program, which will be launched at ASM 2014. The Monday program includes a student breakfast, a mentoring workshop and an evening social event.

Exhibition

A range of equipment and consumable suppliers, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, will have their wares on display in the exhibition area. Visiting these booths and chatting with the experts will get you up to date with the latest equipment and services available.

The Local Organising Committee warmly welcomes you to Melbourne to share in all things microbiological at ASM 2104. Find out more and register to attend by visiting http://asmmeeting.theasm.org.au/