Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages Conference

PROJECT SUMMARY The Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages (MGBP) meeting is a highly regarded international scientific conference held annually since 1940 that brings together investigators to present and discuss advances in the molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses. The MGBP Meeting is significant because it directly and positively impacts molecular research focused on the causative agents of human disease, commensals, symbionts, and phages while prioritizing the training of a skilled and broadly knowledgeable scientific workforce. The 2026 meeting marks the 75th year that this meeting has been held. A core objective of the MGBP Meeting is to provide an engaging and supportive forum for trainees and early career faculty to share their work in a collegial and educational environment. The 2025 attendees (365) hailed from 25 US states and 11 countries and included undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty members and professional scientists from the private sector. Several innovative aspects distinguish the MGBP meeting including: (1) the Sternberg Thesis Award for the most outstanding Ph.D. thesis, (2) daily mentoring tables for discussion of career paths and training opportunities, (3) trainee poster awards, and (4) community building events, including the annual 'Community Showcase'. The 2026 MGBP Meeting will be held from August 3-7 at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, an ASM-designated "Milestones in Microbiology Site". Aligned with the tradition of past MGBP Meetings, ~70% of the oral presentations will be from trainees, and the remaining 30% will be from faculty, including the keynote and session chairs, and early career faculty chosen from the submitted abstracts. Among the 9 invited talks for the 2026 meeting, 56% are Assistant or Associate Professors. The keynote speaker for the 2026 meeting will be Dr. Andrew Camilli, a long-standing member of the MGBP Community and a leader in the field of bacterial genetics and bacteria-bacteriophage interactions. Dr. Camilli will present his pioneering research on the co- evolution of Vibrio cholerae and its phages and its critical role in shaping the current cholera pandemic and pathogenesis. To provide financial support for trainees, we propose to select 10 meritorious trainees from the submitted abstracts for registration and lodging waivers. Together, the rigor and breadth of the scientific program, the focus on educational and training for young scientists, and the opportunities for collegial interactions will positively impact the broad field of molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses.