The MicroBiotec21 congress sponsored by the Portuguese Society of Microbiology (SPM) and the Portuguese Society of Biotechnology (SPBT) ended last Friday, 26 November 2021. Taking place between the 23rd and 26th of November, 2021, it was promoted by the NOVA University of Lisbon with an important participation of GHTM-IHMT-NOVA researchers, in a completely virtual online format due to the restrictions imposed in Portugal by the COVID-19 pandemic. During 4 days we shared knowledge, ideas and scientific methodologies associated with Microbiology and Biotechnology, divided into 5 major themes:
- Topic #1 – Microbiotechnology in Health and Diseases,
- Topic #2 – Microbiotechnology for a Sustainable Future,
- Topic #3 – Food and Environmental Microbiotechnology ,
- Topic #4 – Impact of Microbiotechnology on Society,
- Topic #5 – Tools in Microbiotechnology.
With 8 plenary sessions, 23 invited oral presentations, and guest scientists from all over the world, including the United States, China, Chile and Europe, the 476 delegates from 12 countries, including Portugal, had the opportunity to get in touch with the most recent advances in Microbiology and Biotechnology worldwide and in Portugal.
The events’ scope encompassed broad thematic areas, like Industrial, Food and Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology; and more specific as the molecular epidemiology and biology of SARS-CoV-2, antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Bacteriology and Mycology, the latest advances in the development of isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques, or in the study of intermembrane transport of antibiotics.
Microbiotec21 also highlighted the contribution of Microbiology and Biotechnology to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the social challenges of the 21st century, in close connection with better health, more sustainable industry and technology, the environment and quality of life, food safety and microbiological heritage. Its detailed program can be found here.
As one of the most attended editions, during the four days of MicroBiotec21, lively online scientific discussions took place in each of the thematic areas and sub-areas. Overall, 92 oral presentations were selected and 322 posters were evaluated with 1827 virtual visits and countless online interactions – check the Abstracts Book. The winners of the 2nd contest “Science Communication in Microbiology” were announced during the Congress and 8 prizes for best poster were awarded. The organisation was sponsored by 6 commercial companies.
At the end of the congress, during a session in honour of Professor Nicolau van Uden’s birth centenary, a prize bearing his name was awarded to Prof. Isabel Sá-Correia. The Professor Julio Maggiolly-Novais career award was also given by the Portuguese Society of Biotechnology (SPBT) to Professor Manuel Mota.