The Scientific Committee of the ECCO meeting 2024 (https://eccomeeting2024.org/) is presenting a survey aimed at engaging the broad community of microbiologists, microbiome scientists and technology developers with an interest in microbiology to understand their awareness of key issues in microbial biodiversity and to assess the importance of good taxonomic practices in their field.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete all answers.
Please complete the survey at https://forms.gle/v3NBs7YtGbDJYfw66 within the end of September.

The third edition of the International Symposium ‘Microbiome: From Benchtop to Bedside,’ which will take place on November 26th at the KAVA Congrescentrum in Antwerp, Belgium.
This symposium aims to bring together researchers, clinicians, and industrial partners to catalyze the translation of novel scientific insights in the microbiome field into clinical applications. Building on the success of our 2022 and 2023 symposia, which hosted around 150 participants each year, we are continuing to expand our international reach with invited speakers and participants from around the world.
The symposium will feature sessions about Microbiome & General Health (1), Disease (2) and Applications and Regulations (3).
Info and registration: https://www.uza.be/activiteit/symposium-microbiome-benchtop-bedside.

We are pleased to invite you to the 3rd Belgian celebration of International Microorganism Day to be held on Saturday September 21st at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels.
International Microorganism Day was laid down to commemorate the discovery of microbes by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1676. Since 2017, microbiologists across the world get together on this day to disseminate their passion for microbiology to younger kids and the broad public.
On this occasion, the Young Belgian Society for Microbiology is organizing a day filled with hands-on microbiology activities open to all ages. These activities not only highlight the relevance of microbiology in our day-to-day lives but also explore individuals’ artistic sides (virus-origami, painting with bacteria etc.).
We invite colleagues, students, parents and teachers to our IMD celebrations and experience an educational and fun way to start the academic year. We are also offering a reduced price for adults (10 euros instead of 13) to visit the Museum of Natural Sciences when accompanied with this flyer that would give access to all our activities. The entry fee for students and children between 4 and 17 years old remains unchanged at €5.
We are hoping that you will spread the word about our event to students, parents and teachers in your vicinity.