Unlocking the functional diversity of gut microbiomes

Gut microbiome research needs causal explanations of microbial effects on health, beyond descriptive associations. This conference examines poorly understood microbial genes and the model organisms, genetic tools and collaborative approaches needed to assign their functions. Sessions cover data-driven discovery, genetic perturbation, multi-omics, cellular organisation, imaging protein machines, ecological interactions with hosts and phages, and connections to other microbiomes. The aim is to connect molecular mechanisms with microbiome engineering and health applications.