Evolving Microbes and Global Health

October 22 – 25, 2024

    Microbes are everywhere,  greatly influencing human health. This can be direct by being in contact with the human body, such as the gut microbiota or as infectious agents.

    They also impact our wellbeing indirectly by changing the environment and affecting global food production. Their rapid evolution is a double edged sword. Microbes can acquire pathogenic traits, or be engineered to perform beneficial functions.

    Understanding how and when “good” or “bad” microbial properties emerge in nature, the mechanisms by which they affect human health, and our responses to that are vital topics often discussed separately.

    In this meeting, we aim to unite scientists studying the direct and indirect effects of evolving microbes on human health.