HMG.26

University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Host-Microbe
Genetics

An annual symposium bringing together researchers to share cutting-edge findings in microbial genetics, molecular biology, and host-microbe interactions.

30 October 2026
Science Park, Amsterdam

The
Symposium.

This intimate, focused gathering brings together pioneering microbiologists, geneticists, and evolutionary biologists to present cutting-edge research in host-pathogen and host-symbiont relationships.

Hosted at Science Park, Amsterdam, our sessions are structured to foster rich dialogue, scientific collaboration, and immediate feedback on early-stage findings. The 2026 program covers host colonization and manipulation, microbial communication and defence, regulatory networks and transcriptome dynamics, and microbial cell envelopes: from virulence to intervention.

LocationScience Park, Amsterdam
RegistrationNo Fee / RSVP Required
AudienceUvA & VU Members & Guests

Scientific
Program.

Includes Keynote
6 Sessions
[ Morning program ]

Morning program

Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
10.00-10.25

Registration & coffee/tea

SILS Common Room
10.25-10.30

Welcome

TBD
[ Session 1 ]

Host colonization and manipulation

Topics:Signalling, host sensing, metabolite exchange, symbiosis mechanisms, immune modulation in plants, animals, and humans

Chair: TBD
Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
10.30-10.50

TBD

TBD (Group Leader / PI - 20 min)
10.50-11.05

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
11.05-11.20

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
11.20-11.35

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
11.35-11.50

15-min coffee break

SILS Common Room
[ Session 2 ]

Microbial communication and defence

Topics:Vesicles, particles, secreted structures, phages, and CRISPR

Chair: TBD
Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
11.50-12.10

TBD

TBD (Group Leader / PI - 20 min)
12.10-12.25

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
12.25-12.40

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
12.40-13.45

LUNCH & Networking

SILS Common Room
13.00-13.30

Group leaders meeting

TBD
[ Session 3 ]

Regulatory networks and transcriptome dynamics

Topics:Transcriptome remodeling, regulatory RNAs, nucleic acid structures/interactomes, and epigenetics

Chair: TBD
Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
13.45-14.05

TBD

TBD (Group Leader / PI - 20 min)
14.05-14.20

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
14.20-14.35

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
14.35-14.50

15-min coffee/tea break

SILS Common Room
[ Session 4 ]

Microbial cell envelopes: From virulence to intervention

Topics:Cell envelopes, transport, virulence, and antimicrobial targets

Chair: TBD
Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
14.50-15.10

TBD

TBD (Group Leader / PI - 20 min)
15.10-15.25

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
15.25-15.40

TBD

TBD (PhD Student / Postdoc - 15 min)
15.40-16.00

Coffee/tea break

SILS Common Room
[ Keynote ]

Keynote lecture

Chair: TBD
Location: TBD (Room still being decided)
16.00-17.00

TBD

TBD (Keynote Address)
17.00-19.00

Combined Poster Session & Reception Drinks

SILS Common Room

The
Organizers.

S

Prof. Sahar El Aidy

Microbiology Theme

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

G

Dr. Gaurav Dugar

Microbiology Theme

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

W

Prof. Wilbert Bitter

Medical Microbiology

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

No Fee • Deadline: 30 September 2026

Reserve Your Seat.

Registration is mandatory to secure your seat. Please register by 30th September 2026 using the online form.

Open Registration Form
Registration Deadline: 30 September 2026 (23:59 CET)