Beneficial Microbes in the Environment and Health

This GRC will be the first of its kind to explore multidisciplinary research in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). While classically associated with food fermentations such as yogurts and sourdough breads, LAB are now recognized as being critical members of different ecosystems including the beneficial microbiomes of humans, animals, and insects, with major importance in food, medicine, and industry. LAB were among the first microorganisms isolated and characterized by Pasteur, Lister, and other pioneering microbiologists. LAB were also key model organisms used in the development of molecular biology and industrial microbiology, providing fundamental advancements in genetics, metabolism and the discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems. These achievements resulted from interdisciplinary science involving expertise in both applied and fundamental research. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together experts in multiple disciplines to identify, develop, and coordinate new research directions using LAB.

This conference will be held in Ventura, California, USA, from July 23 to 28, 2023. Session topics cover key areas including LAB diversity and evolution, extracellular composition and cell surface biology, DNA acquisition and phage defense, ecology and systems biology. A major focus is the diverse applications of LAB to address the major health, food security, and environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. The meeting will provide the latest unpublished exciting research discoveries from both senior investigators in the field as well as early-stage investigators. There will be a strong emphasis on lively discussion following each talk, with an emphasis on questions from students and postdoctoral fellows. Both the poster sessions and ample free time will provide an atmosphere that favors informal scientific exchanges, fostering the development of new ideas and collaborations.

An important goal of the GRC is to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders including junior investigators, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students by providing a highly interactive and supportive environment to exchange ideas with current leaders in the field. All attendees will have the opportunity to present posters and the best abstracts will be selected for short oral presentations in the regular program. The program will also include a Power Hour open to all participants, which is designed to increase awareness by discussing issues that women and minorities face in their scientific careers. We encourage a collegial and supportive atmosphere at this conference, with organized discussion sessions and opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings. This beautiful California summertime setting provides an ideal environment for scientists from different disciplines to exchange ideas, brainstorm and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations.