The LIH Hosts the 8th Annual Luxembourg Microbiology Day

• Department of Infection and Immunity
• Infection and Immunotherapy Reseach Group
• Clinical and Applied Virology

On May 13, over one hundred researchers and students from Luxembourg and abroad participated in the eighth edition of Luxembourg Microbiology Day. Created by the Luxembourg Society of Microbiology, with participation from the LIST, LIH, LCSB, University of Luxembourg, and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et de la Viticulture, Luxembourg Microbiology Day is a chance for researchers to present innovative research on microbiology and promote collaboration and information exchange.

This year’s edition was hosted by the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) at the House of BioHealth in Esch-sur-Alzette. Chantal Snoeck and Carole Devaux from the Department of Infection & Immunity as well as Lorieza Neuberger-Castillo from the Clinical Project Management Office prepared the scientific program that explored state-of-the-art microbial research, notably through three keynote presentations.

First, Dr. Philippe Gabant from Syngulon, a biotech startup in Belgium, shed light on bacteriocins, a century old discovery that is more important than ever in the fight against antibiotic resistance. His presentation also emphasized the utility of synthetic biology to design the antimicrobial drugs of tomorrow.

Then, Prof. Anupam Sengupta from the University of Luxembourg then gave a presentation on the role of biophysical forces in the organization of microbial communities. His talk focused on the microbe-material-mechanics axis, necessary for the development of sustainable materials and bioremediation tools.

Finally, Dr. Joao Paulo Gomes from the Portuguese National Institute of Health in Lisbon showed how metagenomics and complex bioinformatics tools can easily and rapidly detect microbial RNA and DNA in clinical samples and thus allow for rapid diagnostics of unexplained symptoms.

The day also offered a dynamic networking environment for PhD students and young researchers with a scientific poster display session during the breaks, a flash-presentation session in front of the assembly, and a relaxed dinner to engage with peers.

Dr. Aubin Pitiot from the Infection and Immunotherapy Research Group was awarded the best presentation award in the Researcher category and he and Dr. Lisa Hefele from the Clinical and Applied Virology group were further given a conference achievement award for their active participation in a microbiology international congress.

Congratulations to both for their performance and success!

The conference was supported by the Luxembourg Society for Microbiology as well as the following sponsors: Luxembourg Institute of Health, Altona Diagnostics, and Isogen Life Science.