Sessions

Sessions descriptions

1. Effects of contaminants on microorganisms : from species to communities

The session aims to explore the effects of pollutants at different scales, ranging from individual species to microbial entire communities. It will cover various pollutants, including metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), antibiotics, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics (PFAS), natural compounds and other chemical contaminants. The session will highlight recent research and provide an overview of how various pollutants impact microbial species and, consequently, disrupt community stability by affecting diversity, abundance, and ecological functions.

Keywords: microbial ecotoxicology; microbial diversity; contaminants toxicity

2. New methods and approaches in microbial ecotoxicology

This session is dedicated to the cutting-edge approaches recently developed and applied to microbial ecotoxicology. The originality of these techniques provide unprecedented insights. The field of microbial ecotoxicology is evolving exceptionally quickly, partly because it can benefit from the new developments in, among others, molecular biology, microscopy and high-throughput omics. In addition to allowing for better understanding of microbes and their interactions with contaminants, the new developments in these fields pave the way for new discoveries. This session is specifically aimed at the newest and innovative approaches.

Keywords : emerging approaches, innovating methods

3. Microbiome - host interactions

The holobiont concept, describing the association of an organism and its associated microbiomes as a single ecological unit, offers a new holistic perspective in Life Sciences. Studying hosts in association with their microbiome and their reciprocal interactions provides a more complete picture, as microbiomes influence key processes such as digestion and immunity in animals, and nutrient uptake and stress resistance in plants. The microbiome can react to and interact with environmental contaminants like metals, pesticides, plastics or pharmaceuticals. Microbial communities can be disrupted by pollutants, potentially affecting host homeostasis and stress responses. It is therefore crucial to study host-microbiome interactions in ecotoxicology. We expect communications on the effects of contaminants on microbiomes, modulating the health and adaptability of holobionts (using plant or animal models, either in nature or in the lab). Our sessions will inform how a holobiont research in ecotoxicology can open new perspectives into more effective strategies for the conservation of species and/or environments, recognizing the intricate dynamics between environmental stressors and the delicate balance of microbiomes and their hosts in populations.

Keywords: Holobiont, microbiome, environmental stressors, adaptive mechanisms

4. Microbial bioprocesses and bioremediation

Microorganisms play a crucial role in mitigating environmental contamination through bioprocesses and bioremediation strategies. This session will focus on the latest advancements in harnessing microbial communities for the degradation, transformation, and removal of pollutants, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics. With increasing concerns over environmental pollution, bioremediation offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional physicochemical treatments. Cutting-edge research in microbial metabolism and bioaugmentation has expanded our ability to understand and enhance pollutant breakdown and improve environmental restoration efforts. We encourage presentations highlighting novel bioremediation approaches, pollutant metabolism mechanisms of microbial consortia, and real-world applications aimed at remediating contaminated ecosystems.

Keywords: bioremediation, microbial degradation, pollution removal, environmental restoration, bioaugmentation

5. Antimicrobial resistance

This session will address the adaptability of microorganisms towards environmental and anthropogenic stressors. As such, we want to highlight adaptive mechanisms of microorganisms towards environmental pollutants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, etc.) and antibiotics. Therefore, we will explore the cause and the consequences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and other adaptive mechanisms in various systems, such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), natural and agricultural ecosystems, and clinical settings. Specifically, we want to illuminate innovative strategies of studying the complex nature of monitoring, preventing, and mitigating the development and spread of these resistance mechanisms. To obtain a valuable scientific exchange on this topic, we encourage a fruitful participation in a global discussion on microbial resistances. We build this platform for such an exchange and encourage early-career researchers to participate with their research and view on this matter.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), microbial stress, extremotolerance, resistance pathways, One Health, sustainable agriculture