I've just returned from the 18th International Symposium on the Biology of Actinomycetes, held on Jeju Island, Korea. I get to a fair amount of conferences, yet this series of meetings is one of my favourites (Along with Gordon Research Conference on Bacterial Cell Surfaces). This was my 6th ISBA and more and more it feels more like a family reunion. I am fortunate that I work in a very collegiate field that is very open to collaboration, it is always an open meeting, frank yet friendly, scientifically rigorous and multinational. Yet ISBA is more than that, it genuinely feels like a group of friends from across the globe getting together to hang out and talk about their favourite group of bacteria....
Several thing stood out for me at this ISBA (Maybe it is me getting old and more reflective..), firstly- how international science is and how, despite the doom and gloom of Brexit and how it will negatively affect our work as scientists in the UK (and Europe), however discussions with my European colleagues reassures me that we will find a way to continue to work together. However, I did hear of several instances where Brexit is discouraging potential Marie Curie Fellows from applying to UK institutions- it is very sad to think that my country appears unwelcoming! The UK governments commitment to the GRCF and the Newton fund meant that I was able to discuss with several colleagues the potential to work together formally, where previously there has not been the opportunity, so there maybe some hope to spark up new collaborations. But most importantly, the science at ISBA just gets better and better - our symposium was opened by Professor Satoshi Omura, Nobel prize winner in 2015 - this, coupled with the AMR crisis has reinvigorated our field, increasing funding globally to the area and providing opportunities to work in areas that can deliver real impact to the people who need it. Much of the work presented at ISBA was of a fundamental nature allowing us to dig deeper in to this fascinating group of organisms, but with a firm eye on translational potential. One striking thing for me was the increase in Actinomycetes biologists trying to study ecologically and evolutionary relevant systems with these organisms - particularly Streptomyces. Attempt to explain their behaviour and interactions in an ecological context, which I think is going to be key if we are to exploit the biosynthetic potential of these organisms. Highlights for me were the talks of Danny Rozen, Matt Bush, Dennis Claessen, Marie Elliot and Matt Hutchings. All were focussing on basic biology of these organisms but all with novel, exciting biological stories to tell. The meeting also gave me the opportunity to experience Korea for the first time – I was absolutely blown away by the country, the people are welcoming, delightful and friendly – the food is amazing (Korean BBQ and Korean Fried Chicken were the highlights), there is a huge Craft beer movement, Seoul is a really cool city and Jeju island is fun and really beautiful. Go and visit! We even managed to take in a game at the under 20’s World Cup between Portugal and Costa Rica, held at the World Cup 2002 Jeju Stadium. Next ISBA will be in Toronto, Canada in 2020, organised by Justin Nodwell – see you there!
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Prof. Paul A HoskissonNews from the Hoskisson Lab Archives
June 2017
CategoriesBlog Posts for The Royal Society of Edinburgh
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