By Michael Shamash, PhD student at McGill University

The tropical city of Cairns, nestled in the far north of Queensland, Australia, was host to the Viruses of Microbes 2024 conference. From July 15 to 19, the event brought together over 500 leading researchers, students, and industry professionals in the field, with a large focus on bacteriophages. The meeting featured a wide array of talks, poster sessions, and networking opportunities, all while offering attendees the opportunity to explore the beauty of the nearby Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Phages, short for bacteriophages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. As natural predators of bacteria, they play a crucial role in ecological balance and have significant implications for various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Presentations included topics spanning molecular biology, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and applied phage therapy. I also presented the latest results from my PhD work as a poster presentation.

Beyond the science, the conference offered ample networking opportunities, including a gala dinner at the Rainforestation Nature Park, in the Kuranda Rainforest. As an early-career scientist, attending this conference was a transformative experience. In addition to gaining cutting-edge scientific knowledge, I also left Cairns with new professional relationships that could lead to future collaborations. It was a privilege to be supported by the QCBS Excellence travel award which made it possible for me to attend this meeting. 

Looking back, the Viruses of Microbes 2024 meeting exceeded all expectations. I leave Cairns not only with new ideas and insights but also with a sense of excitement for the future of phage research.

About the author: Michael Shamash is a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Corinne Maurice, in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at McGill University. His research focuses on the development of the infant gut microbiota, where he is exploring the potential of applying fecal virome transplants to alter microbial succession during early life.