Event Information
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We are excited to invite you to the The Microbial Genomics ECR Symposium, organised by the Centre of Microbial Interactions, GetGenome and Novogene, taking place on Wednesday, 15th July 2026 at the John Innes Conference Centre.
Focused on next-generation insights in microbial genomics, this engaging event brings together leading researchers and scientists driving innovation in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Join us to learn, connect, and explore how advanced sequencing technologies are transforming the study of microbial diversity, function, and evolution in a collaborative setting.
Date: Wednesday 15th July, 2026
Timings (see full agenda below): 9:30 - 16:45
Location: John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH
Lunch and refreshments provided - Everyone welcome.
Tickets are free however registration is required.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00
Registration & Refreshments
10:00 – 10:10:
Welcome & Introductions
10:10 – 10:20:
Novogene Overview
10:20 - 10:35:
Joshua Horton (Quadram Institute) - "Battling Biofilms: Investigating the role of maoP in biofilm formation of Enterobacteriaceae"
10:35 - 10:50:
Julia Boogh (The Sainsbury Laboratory) - "Genome description and comparative genomics of Botryosphaeria dothidea strains associated with ambrosia gall midges"
10:50 - 11:20:
Keynote: Prof. Jonathan Todd (Quadram Institute / University of East Anglia) – "Tales of Unexpected Organosulfur Cycling"
11:20 – 11:40:
Break and Posters
11:40 - 11:55:
Gaia Galiberti (John Innes Centre / The Sainsbury Laboratory) - "Uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind septin ring assembly during M. oryzae infection"
11:55 - 12:10
Jade Manning (University of East Anglia) - "Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Anaerobic Bacteria in the Pathogenesis of Aggressive Prostate Cancer"
12:10 - 12:25
Eleanor Hayles (Quadram Institute) - "The Power of Three: Exploring Genome, Gene, and Phage‑Level Variation of Shiga Toxin Subtype Stx2a in E. coli in England (2016–2024)"
12:25 - 12:40
Amani Ben Alaya (Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cédria (CBBC), Tunisia) - "Whole genome sequencing and annotation of a non-pathogenic Fusarium brachygibbosum TZ1MST22 strain isolated from Medicago sativa in southern Tunisian oases"
12:40 – 13:40
Lunch and Posters
13:40 - 13:55
Flash Talk 6 - Speaker TBA
13:55 - 14:10
Catherine Philip (University of East Anglia) - "Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) Catabolism in the green tide forming seaweed Ulva"
14:10 - 14:25
Soobin Shin (The Sainsbury Laboratory) - "Comparative Genomic and Physiological Analyses of Insect-Mutualistic and Plant-Pathogenic Fusarium Species"
14:25 - 14:40
Ndeye Bineta DIA (Quadram Institute) - "Production of the building block molecule 3-hydroxypropionic acid from seaweed waste"
14:40 - 14:55
Kanza Zerhouni Abdou (Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco) - "Genome sequencing and taxonomic characterization of two novel lichen-associated Actinomycetota from Moroccan ecosystems"
14:55 – 15:15
Break and Poster
15:15 – 15:30
Arlen Mariana Navarro Valenzuela (Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Mexico) - "Potential of Bacillus safensis strain TRQ13 as a plant growth promoter: A genomic approach"
15:30 – 15:45
Raphael Hans Lwesya (Quadram Institute) – title TBC
15:45 – 16:15
Keynote: Dr. Tessa Reid, Rothamsted Research – "Using microbial genomics to understand beneficial wheat root microbiomes"
16:15 – 16:25
Closing remarks
Speakers - more TBA
Dr. Tessa Reid
Plant-microbiome Researcher Rothamsted Research
Dr. Tessa Reid is a plant–microbiome researcher at Rothamsted Research who studies how crop domestication and agricultural practices influence beneficial plant–microbe interactions. Her research focuses on wheat root microbiomes and sustainable agriculture, using sequencing, microbiology, and bioinformatics to improve crop productivity with lower inputs.
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