What inspired scientists most at #Microbes25? 🧫
We spoke with attendees and organizers about AI in microbial engineering, fungi's ability to turn waste into food, and the challenges of bringing innovations to market.
Read their insights in our full recap 👉 vibbio.tech/3WPwq3c
#VIBConf #microbiology

Who knew microbes could steal the show? 🧫✨ #Microbes25 was full of innovation, from Tilmann Weber’s bioactive hunt to Eveline Peeters’ mycelium materials & Nicholas Bokulich’s fermented food biodiversity. Congrats to the Nature Microbiology Poster Prize winner Elynor Moore! Big ideas, tiny heroes!

✨ Day two, another round of brilliant science at #Microbes25! The second poster session brought more exciting discoveries and thoughtful discussions. Huge kudos to all researchers from our six labs for sharing their research!
@vibtrainconf.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social

How do you find new antibiotics hidden in plain sight? 🔬🧩
At #Microbes25, Hanne Vande Capelle of @vibmicrobes.bsky.social shares how she is engineering and screening sactipeptides — underexplored RiPPs with big antimicrobial potential.
🎥 Watch her pitch! #Microbes25 #Biotech

At #Microbes25, @jorg-vogel-lab.bsky.social‬ showed how to silence phage genes with ASO tech — antisense RNA guided by a cell-penetrating protein.
A clever new way to study (essential) phage genes. 🧬✨

At #Microbes25, Abram Aertsen showed how to program bacteria with a sense of timing — they can grow, produce, then self-lyse. ⏱️🧫
By breaking symmetry, he can even control which cells keep growing. Microbes with coordination — and attitude. ⚙️💡

❓Can soil microbes help crops survive drought? 🌾💧
At #Microbes25, Bianca-Maria Cosma (TU Delft & @cropxr.bsky.social ) shares how her team is uncovering patterns in root and soil microbiomes to guide smarter microbial solutions for resilient crops.
🎥 Watch her pitch! #AgriTech #Microbes25

@mpi-ce.bsky.social at #Microbes25: discovering plant biosynthetic genes (like those for strictosidine) and expressing them in new hosts 🌿🧬
Bringing plant chemistry to synthetic biology!

At #Microbes25, Huimin Zhao showed how AI + robotics + biology can supercharge biomanufacturing.
From photobiocatalysis and directed evolution to AI-driven design loops, his team is evolving enzymes with new-to-nature reactivity — and getting top results after just 3 cycles! 💥

What if yeast could make the solvents of the future? 🧫✨
At #Microbes25, Quinten Deparis of @vibmicrobes.bsky.social shares how he and his colleagues are reprogramming microbes to build a greener chemistry — blending enzyme engineering, AI, and sustainability.
🎥 Watch his pitch! #SynBio #Biotech

The start of the final plenary session of today #Microbes25 with a selected, beautiful talk by Fatima El Arnouki Belhaji (@masscheleinlab.bsky.social). She focused on charting the biosynthetic landscape and expanding the catalogue of bioactive specialized lipids.

📰 Read more here: lnkd.in/g_qqaJxg

✨ What a wonderful first poster session today at #Microbes25!
Proud to see so many researchers from across our six labs showcasing their innovative and impactful science.

@vibtrainconf.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social

At #Microbes25, @tilmweber.bsky.social‬ showcased an impressive integrated approach to discovering and producing novel antibiotics.
From sequencing new microorganisms to developing powerful tools like antiSMASH, his team mines genomic data for BGCs — then brings these hidden molecules to life!

At #Microbes25, @mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social presented a high-throughput screening platform that packages and stabilizes bacteriophage biobanks and integrates detection biochemistry.
The result? Rapid, one-pot susceptibility profiling for bacterial isolates — delivering results in 30 minutes. ⚡

@colinhillucc.bsky.social kicked off #microbes25
His talk shed light on the overlooked faecal virome — the vast community of viruses that co-exist with our gut bacteria. Rather than constant conflict, Colin described a more elegant relationship: bacteria and phages don’t just fight… they dance. 💃🦠

Highly interesting and enthusiasmic contribution by Tilman Weber @vibtrainconf.bsky.social #Microbes25 on latest developments in innovative computational discovery, molecular characterisation and harnessing of novel #antibiotics of bacterial origin #AMR

🦠 Microbes are transforming our world — from sustainable foods to smart materials! At the 3rd #VIBconf on Emerging Applications of Microbes, we kick off with Colin Hill on bacteriophages & the microbiome. Tiny partnerships, huge impact. #Microbes25 #Microbiology #PhageBiology vibbio.tech/4hOqqBm

Kick off of @vibtrainconf.bsky.social #Microbes25 by Kevin Verstrepen @verstrepenlab.bsky.social. Looking forward to another exciting edition of innovative microbe research, and meeting up with friends and colleagues

Thanks to our sponsors who make our discussions thrive. Just as microbes flourish under the right conditions, your contribution helped #Microbes25 be the ground for cutting-edge discoveries.
If you’re attending, be sure to visit their booths to learn more.
Curious? Visit: vibbio.tech/48XOBLr

The countdown for #Microbes25 is on... only 1 week until the microbes take over the conference floor. Pack your pipettes and curiosity, expect amazing talks, and microscopic marvels.

Plan your sessions, and see you in Leuven: vibbio.tech/4oHlqAM

#VIBConf #MicrobialBiotech #MicrobialEcology

#Microbiology isn’t just about petri dishes; it holds the keys to global solutions. From climate change to health crises, #Microbes25 is unlocking powerful discussions.
Want in? Join us today and help change the world from the micro-level up: vibbio.tech/4nXIbQO
#VIBConf #MicrobialBiotech

Final week to register for the #Microbes25 conference! 🚀 Our OC members are buzzing with excitement!

Today, Prof. @masscheleinlab.bsky.social shares one of her top picks!

⏳ Final deadline to register is 23 Oct 2025 !
🌐 vibbio.tech/Microbes25

@vibtrainconf.bsky.social

We are entering the final week to register for the #Microbes25 conference! 🚀 Our Organizing Committee members are already buzzing with excitement-and we asked them what they’re most looking forward to. A sneak peek at what’s in store!
⏳ Final deadline is 23 Oct 2025-don’t miss it!
🌐 lnkd.in/e2ywpSED

Last chance to join the #Microbes25 party. Join us to explore how microbial cell factories, synthetic biology, and microbial engineering are rewriting the rulebook of applied #microbiology. Final registration is 23 Oct, grab your spot before it's gone:https://vibbio.tech/3KyHcIb
#VIBConf

Professor Tilmann Weber joins #Microbes25!
He’ll share how cutting-edge molecular approaches are uncovering new natural products with big potential in medicine and biotechnology.
📅 Final registration deadline: 23 Oct 2025
🔗 vibbio.tech/Microbes25

#Microbes are rewriting the rules of medicine, energy, and food. Ready to be part of the 3rd edition of #Microbes25? Early bird tickets are flying away; grab yours before the deadline of September 25.
From biotech to climate solutions, it’s all on the table.
👉 vibbio.tech/42LZ8Fl
#VIBConf

Imagine reprogramming bacteria to produce new chemicals. Pablo Ivan Nikel is exploring this at #Microbes25, showcasing bioengineering. Want to learn how bacteria can redesign biosynthesis? Register by the early bird deadline of Sept 25: vibbio.tech/4pv21nS
#MicrobialBiotech
@pabnik.bsky.social

At #Microbes25, we’re honored to host Professor Jörg Vogel, a leading voice in RNA biology and infection research.

📅 Early Bird Deadline: 25 September 2025
🔗 Full program & registration: vibbio.tech/Microbes25

Who are you most looking forward to hearing from at #Microbes25?

🦠 If you're into decoding how #microbes run the world, from gut health to ecosystems and biotech, don’t miss the Early Bird rate for #Microbes25.
Register by 25 September and join the experts pushing boundaries: vibbio.tech/4gf27vv
#MicrobialBiotech #VIBConf #MicrobialEcology

#Microbes aren’t just cute under a microscope, they’re global problem-solvers. See it in action: sustainable farming, food tech, microbial cell factories, and more at #Microbes25. Got research pushing these boundaries? Today’s the last day, submit your abstract: vibbio.tech/4n5VSMV
#VIBConf