Beneficial Microbes in the Environment and Health

While classically associated with food fermentations such as yogurts and sourdough breads, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are now recognized as critical members of different ecosystems including the beneficial microbiomes of humans, animals, and insects, with major importance in food, medicine, and industry. 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.

This conference will be held in Ventura, California, USA, from July 13 to 18, 2025. Session topics include LAB in the environment, LAB in the mammalian GI tract and vagina, LAB in non-mammalian systems, microbial products in health and disease, bacteriophages, and therapeutics. These sessions will cover the diverse applications of LAB to address the major health, food security, and environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. The program will also include a Power Hour open to all participants, which is designed to address the diversity and inclusion in the scientific workplace by providing a safe environment for informal and meaningful conversations amongst colleagues of all career stages.