Programme

Join us in Liverpool to explore diverse aspects of one health microbiome innovation. You can expect talks, pitches and discussion relevant across human, animal, plant, and environmental fields

Day 1 - Tuesday 10 September 2024

09.00 - 9.50

Registration, Coffee and Breakfast

Set up posters and exhibition stands.
9.50 - 10.15

Welcome

  • Welcome and opening of the conference, Professor Jo Fothergill, University of Liverpool
  • Microbiome Research and Innovation at the University of Liverpool's Microbiome Innovation Centre, Professor Steve Paterson, University of Liverpool
  • Introduction to Innovate UK Business Connect Microbiome Innovation Activities, Dr Gabriela Juarez Martinez, Innovate UK Business Connect
10.15 - 10.35

Keynote presentation

Professor Paul Ross, APC Microbiome Ireland

Microbiome-based antimicrobials: exploiting bacterial offence and defence systems in microbiomes 
10.35- 11.45

Human microbiome science and innovation

Chair: Jo Fothergill, University of Liverpool

  • Biological actions of microbe-derived metabolites: methylamines and brain function in mice and humans, Simon McArthur, Queen Mary University London
  • Next Generation Probiotics for Consumer Health – moving from strain discovery towards clinical development, Oliver Hasselwander, International Flavors & Fragrances
  • Diet and the gut microbiota: boosting the composition and activity of the microbiota for health, Karen Scott, University of Abderdeen

Q&A
11.45 - 12.20 Exhibitors' pitches
12.20 - 13.40 Lunch, Networking, Posters and Exhibition
13.40 - 14.50

Animal microbiome science and innovation

Chair: Caroline Griffin, Innovate UK Business Connect

  • Utilising the microbiome to make pollinators tolerant to agricultural pesticides, Peter Graystock, Imperial College London
  • The Guided Biotic® platform and in situ gene editing of animal microbiomes, Robert Habgood, Folium Science
  • Bovine Digitial Dermatitis, George Oikonomou, University of Liverpool

Q&A
14.50 - 16.00

Plant, soil and environment microbiome science and innovation

Chair: Lindsay Williams, University of Edinburgh

  • Exploiting phyllosphere microbes to strengthen UK cropping systems, Lorena Rangel, James Hutton Institute
  • Rooting around the wheat microbiome, Tim Mauchline, Rothamsted Research
  • Biofilms in Agriculture: Pioneering Sustainable Nutrient Management, Minshad Ansari, Bionema
  • The Marine Mycobiome: A Diversity of Potential and Opportunities, Michael Cunliffe, Marine Biological Association

Q&A
16.00 - 16.30 Coffee, Posters, and Exhibition
16.30 - 17.30

Creating Connections – Entrepreneur pitches

Chair - Basil Omar, University of the West of England 

  • Alicia Showeing, BugBiome
  • Ronald Shannon, Wundrbiotics
  • Lydia Mapstone, Boobybiome
  • Kiran Patil, Cambiotics
  • Marta Ciechonska, Salient Bio
  • Lucy Hope, The Daughters of Mars
  • Ivana Lokobauer, Fermented Freak
17.30 - 17.35 Closing remarks
17.35 - 18.35 Networking, posters and exhibition

Day 2 - Wednesday 11 September 2024

09.00 - 09.30

Breakfast & Networking
09.30 - 09.40 Welcome, Steve Paterson, University of Liverpool
9.40 - 10.10

Panel discussion: Support for Microbiome Innovation in Liverpool City Region

  • Lorna Green, LYVA Labs (Moderator)
  • Janet Hemingway iiCON, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
  • Jo Fothergill, Microbiome Innovation Centre, University of Liverpool
  • Francis Lee, STFC Hartree Centre
10.10 - 11.25

Panel Discussion: Microbiome Data Sciences, Biobanking and Standards 

Chair: Colette Shortt, University of Ulster

  • Developing the first WHO standards for the microbiome field, Chrysi Sergaki, NIBSC MHRA
  • Lessons learned on data sharing and data access, from Scottish Government and agritech, Nicola Holden, Scotland’s Rural College
  • Securing the future of microbiome research and innovation - The n eed for biobanking infrastructure in the UK, Matt Ryan, CABI 
  • Establishing the ELIXIR microbiome community -Martin Beracochea, European Bioinformatics Institute EMBL-EBI

Panel Discussion
11.25 - 11:55 Coffee, Networking, Posters
11.55 - 12.10

Platinum Sponsor talk

Microbiome Innovation at Unilever and Why it Matters, Mike Hoptroff, Unilever
12:10- 13.35

Panel Discussion: Addressing Key Challenges in Microbiome Innovation

Chair: Jo Slater-Jeffries, NBIC

  • Navigating emerging regulatory frameworks, Clara Desvignes, Voisin Consulting Life Sciences
  • Challenges in the regulatory assessment of genetically engineering microbiomes, Sean Simpkins, Defra
  • Process and analytical development for culturing a novel probiotic of breast milk derived bacteria, Lee Metcalf, CPI
  • Ferring V Finch: why we should all be aware of competitor IP, Craig Thomson, HGF Associates

Panel Discussion
13.35 - 14.35 Lunch, Networking, Posters and Exhibition
14.35 - 15.55

News, Networks, Funding & Prizes

Chair: Pedro Carvalho, Innovate UK Business Connect

  • Microbiome One Health Conference 2025, Jethro Johnson, University of Oxford
  • Microbiome Safety Workshop and upcoming microbiome opportunities, Alex Price, Microbiology Society
  • Funding opportunities within BBSRC's business interaction unit, Fleuriane Fernandes, BBSRC
  • Microbiome One Health: Opportunities for UK Businesses in International Trade, Ellis Emwanta, DBT
  • The Precision Health Technologies Health Accelerator and GMP production in one-health and the microbiome, David Browning, Precision Health Technologies Accelerator 
  • Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalysy Funding Opportunities - Pallavi Deshpande, University of Liverpool
  • Future Funding, Pedro Carvalho, Innovate UK, Business Connect
  • Prizes
15.55 - 16.00 Closing remarks

 

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