As reflected by its very successful history (since 1994), the Gordon Conference on Microbial Stress Responses attracts a diverse group of speakers covering fundamental aspects of microbial life. In their natural environments, microbes have to appropriately respond to numerous adverse conditions in order to proliferate or at least survive. Subjects covered by the conference range from physiological adaptations in ever-changing or extreme environments to the intricate molecular mechanisms of signal perception and transduction by one- or two-component systems or second messengers and regulatory circuits that operate at the levels of transcription, translation, proteolysis or protein activity. Our sessions will present specific responses and adaptation to heat shock and envelope stress, oxidative stress, radiation, metals, antibiotics, changes in osmolarity and pH as well as general stress responses and stationary phase. Furthermore, complex responses such as bacterial “life-style“ changes, the formation of microbial communities, development, and microbe-host interactions will be covered. In addition, a session will deal with quantitative analysis and in silico modeling of regulatory networks underlying microbial responses. Model organisms as well as specific environmentally relevant or pathogenic microorganisms will be included. The broad range of excellent speakers and topics, together with the intimate and pleasant setting at Mount Holyoke College, will make an ideal venue for scientific exchange and planning of future collaborations.