Microbiome Research 2014

That microbial ecosystems influence almost every aspect of life on our planet, from soil microbes and plant symbionts to gut pathology, obesity, brain development and immune-mediated disease, is being increasingly recognised. However, for those who are new to microbiome research, incorporating it into their ongoing work can be an intimidating challenge.

On Monday September 29th 2014 the Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine and Glasgow Polyomics will host a Microbiome Research symposium at Glasgow. This will be a day of interesting and informative talks from experts in the field about getting started in microbiome research, and about the work already going on in Glasgow.

The event is aimed at all researchers who are interested in microbiome research; from those just starting out to established researchers who wish to expand their network and discuss new ideas. Posters are also invited for display and discussion!

Contact for information: Dr Nicola Craig

Information

 

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  • When: Monday September 29th 2014, 09.30-5.30

  • Where: Kelvin Conference Centre, University of Glasgow, West of Scotland Science Park.

    Download a PDF map (map reference K1), or see travel details at bottom of page.

Speakers include...

  • 'Studying the microbiome' by Mr Mick Watson, Edinburgh Genomics. 
    Mr Watson’s current research incorporates integration and analysis of multiple post-genomic datasets, including microarray, proteomics, genomics and SNP data, with an emphasis on a whole-systems approach.

  • 'Metabolomics and microbiome function: paradigm, pragmatism or pestilence?' by Dr Douglas Morrison, University of Glasgow. 
    Dr Morrison’s research involves the development of instrumental platforms for analysis of multiple, isotopically labelled metabolites and the design of tracers to investigate metabolic pathways in biological systems.

  • 'Sample handling and processing: pitfalls and perfect practice' by Dr Alan Walker, University of Aberdeen. 
    Dr Walker’s research combines anaerobic microbiology with DNA sequencing technologies in order to examine interactions between host diet, the intestinal microbiota and chronic disease.

  • 'Extracting species genomes from shotgun metagenomics data' by Dr Chris Quince, University of Glasgow. 
    Dr Quince’s research aims to exploit the direct mathematical connection between the dynamics of alleles in haploid populations and the clonal population dynamics of microbial organisms using techniques from population genetics to develop a mathematical and computational framework for the description of microbial communities.

  • 'Controls, replicates and model systems in microbiome research' by Dr Andrew Free, University of Edinburgh. 
    Dr Free’s research programme investigating the structure, function and variability of microbial communities in natural and engineered environments addresses ecosystems as varied as freshwater and marine sediment communities, the ovine intestinal microbiome and various bioreactor systems (anaerobic digesters, microbial fuel cells, photobioreactors and enhanced biological phosphorous removal reactors).

  • 'Microbiota, health and translational medicine' by Professor Christine Edwards, University of Glasgow. 
    Professor Edwards’ research encompasses studies of the gut microflora, colonisation of the infant gut, metabolic and bioavailability of phenolic antioxidant and the impact of dietary carbohydrate on metabolism.

Programme

Time Event
08.30 - 09.30 Registration
09.30 - 09.45 'The microbiota and inflammatory disease'
Dr Simon Milling, University of Glasgow
09.45 - 10.00 'Microbiota effects on brain and behaviour'
Dr Lieve Desbonnet, University of Glasgow
10.00 - 10.15 'Unravelling the role of gut microbiota in obesity'
Dr Konstantinos Gerasimidis, University of Glasgow
10.15 - 11.00 'Studying the microbiome'
Mr Mick Watson, Edinburgh Genomics
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee
11.30 - 12.00 'Metabolomics and microbiome function: paradigm, pragmatism or pestilence?'
Dr Douglas Morrison, University of Glasgow
12.00 - 12.30 'Sample handling and processing: pitfalls and perfect practice'
Dr Alan Walker, University of Aberdeen
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch & posters
14.00 - 14.15 'Polymicrobial biofilm bodels in oral health and disease'
Prof Gordon Ramage, University of Glasgow
14.15 - 14.30 'Just what is in a diabetic foot ulcer?'
Prof Craig Williams, University of the West of Scotland
14.30 - 15.15 'Extracting species genomes from shotgun metagenomics data'
Dr Chris Quince, University of Glasgow
15.15 - 15.45 Coffee
15.45 - 16.45 'Controls, replicates and model systems in microbiome research'
Dr Andrew Free, University of Edinburgh
16.45 - 17.30 'Microbiota, health and translational medicine'
Prof Christine Edwards, University of Glasgow
17.30 - 18.00 'Experiences with amplicon libraries, competition and chimeras'
Dr Ruud Jansen, Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Haarlem, The Netherlands
18.00 Finish