Retrospective: Microbiome Symposium

From December 3 to 4, it was all about the microbiome at Georg-Speyer-Haus. Seventeen speakers and around 80 guests attended this year's GSH Symposium, led by M. Canan Arkan, to exchange ideas about the microbiome from different perspectives. The sessions “Place,” “Space,” “Time,” “Interactions,” and “Modifiability” provided a forum for the latest research on the millions of microorganisms without which humans and other mammals would not survive. Topics included the analysis of extensive data sets, some of which were traced back to individual outliers, the transmission analysis of the microbiome in daycare centers, and the role of the microbiome in diseases such as cancer, mental health, cardiovascular and kidney disease as well as prospects of dietary interventions. 

The keynote lecture by Michael Karin was a particular highlight.

In the special session “Roadmap to suXXess,” Katrin Springsgut gave a presentation followed by a lively discussion on the still incomplete equality of women in leading positions in science.

All in all, it was a very successful event that inspired the participants and enriched them with many new impressions and the expertise gained on site.