Human Microbiome: From Models and Mechanism to Medicine
Jan 19–22, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers:
Ami S. Bhatt, Tami Lieberman, and Harry Sokol
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Jan 19–22, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers: Ami S. Bhatt, Tami Lieberman, and Harry Sokol
Ami S. Bhatt, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Ami S. Bhatt, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine (Hematology) and Genetics at Stanford University. Dr. Bhatt has pioneered computational and experimental methods for studying the human microbiome, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of host-microbe interactions and a translational focus on improving clinical outcomes in patients. She has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Microbiology Microbiome Data Award and selection as a Sloan Foundation Fellow, and has extensive experience organizing microbiome-focused scientific sessions and conferences.
Tami Lieberman, PhD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tami Lieberman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at MIT in the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She has developed new approaches to understanding microbiome community assembly and uncovering mechanisms using evolutionary approaches. Dr. Lieberman's work has provided fundamental insights into how bacteria adapt within the human body, particularly in the skin microbiome. She is a recipient of the NIH Director's New Innovator Award.
Harry Sokol
Saint-Antoine Hospital
Harry Sokol, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor in the Gastroenterology department of the Saint Antoine Hospital (APHP Paris), the co-director of the Microbiota, Gut & Inflammation team (INSERM Sorbonne Université) and group leader in Micalis institute (INRAE). His research has made important contributions to understanding the role of the microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease and metabolism. His work focuses on deciphering the gut microbiota-host interactions in health and diseases, to develop innovative treatments. As the current president of the French Group of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation he has coordinated multiple meetings and workshops to advance research and clinical practices related to fecal microbiota transplantation.
Available Formats:
Supported by the Directors' Fund
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = In Person = On DemandMonday, January 19, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Merchandise Options
Registration Options
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Welcome and Keynote Session (Joint)
8:00–9:30 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Emily P Balskus, HHMI-Harvard University
Mechanistic Enzymology of Microbiome-Derived Gene Products
Mechanistic Enzymology of Microbiome-Derived Gene Products
Mohamed S. Abou Donia, Princeton University
Production and Metabolism of Bioactive Molecules by the Human Microbiome
Production and Metabolism of Bioactive Molecules by the Human Microbiome
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Riverview Lounge
Microbial Biochemistry in Health and Disease (Joint)
10:00–11:30 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Stavroula Hatzios, Yale University
Microbial Modulation of Redox-Active Molecules in the Gut
Microbial Modulation of Redox-Active Molecules in the Gut
Harry Sokol, Saint-Antoine Hospital
Effect of Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in IBD
Effect of Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in IBD
Tamia A Harris-Tryon, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Host-Microbial Crosstalk at the Skin Surface
Host-Microbial Crosstalk at the Skin Surface
Meet the Editors (Joint)
11:15–12:15 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Poster Setup
11:15–1:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
On Own for Lunch
11:15–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Symposia Spotlight 1: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Anna Ruth Schwarzenbach †, University of Oxford
Evolving Pathogen-killing Bacteria as Live Biotherapeutics
Evolving Pathogen-killing Bacteria as Live Biotherapeutics
Bahtiyar Yilmaz †, University of Bern
Cradled By Commensals, Provoked by Inflammation: The Dual Life of Natural Antibodies
Cradled By Commensals, Provoked by Inflammation: The Dual Life of Natural Antibodies
Jordana Ferro †, McMaster University
Evaluation of a Skin-Microbiome Derived Antifungal Compound for the Treatment of Candida albicans and Candida auris Skin Colonization
Evaluation of a Skin-Microbiome Derived Antifungal Compound for the Treatment of Candida albicans and Candida auris Skin Colonization
Jean-Marc Chatel †, Micalis Institute
The Microbial Anti-Inflammatory Molecule (MAM) of Faecalibacterium is a Key Protein Processed and Exported to the Envelope
The Microbial Anti-Inflammatory Molecule (MAM) of Faecalibacterium is a Key Protein Processed and Exported to the Envelope
Axel Ranson †, INSERM/Institut Pasteur de Paris
Dietary Modulation in a Translational Pig Model Identified Early, Sex-Specific Modifications in the Small Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolome, Along with Changes in Peptidoglycan Remodeling
Dietary Modulation in a Translational Pig Model Identified Early, Sex-Specific Modifications in the Small Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolome, Along with Changes in Peptidoglycan Remodeling
Jessica A Jana †, University of Pittsburgh
Bacterial Translocation Following PD1 Blockade Drives Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma Through Microbiome-Specific T Cell Polarization
Bacterial Translocation Following PD1 Blockade Drives Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma Through Microbiome-Specific T Cell Polarization
Anika Sander †, Technical University of Munich
A Common Polymorphism affecting Intestinal Bilirubin Metabolism alters Microbe-Host Interactions
A Common Polymorphism affecting Intestinal Bilirubin Metabolism alters Microbe-Host Interactions
Nora S. Naegele †, University of Copenhagen
Dynamic and Reversible Alterations of the Human Intestinal Barrier: Tracking Systemic Impact and Recovery with Non-Invasive Biomarkers
Dynamic and Reversible Alterations of the Human Intestinal Barrier: Tracking Systemic Impact and Recovery with Non-Invasive Biomarkers
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Microbe-Host Interactions
5:00–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Mahesh S. Desai, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Diet, the Gut Microbiome and Host Health
Diet, the Gut Microbiome and Host Health
Ami S. Bhatt, Stanford University
Deciphering Microbe-Host Communication
Deciphering Microbe-Host Communication
Ramnik Xavier, Massachusetts General Hospital
Large-Scale Population Studies to Understand the Gut-Immune Axis
Large-Scale Population Studies to Understand the Gut-Immune Axis
Nathalie Rolhion †, INSERM
Short Talk: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii EXL01 Exhibits a Specific Peptidoglycan That is Involved in its Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a NOD2-Dependent Way
Short Talk: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii EXL01 Exhibits a Specific Peptidoglycan That is Involved in its Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a NOD2-Dependent Way
Meenakshi Chakraborty †, Stanford University
Short Talk: Age-Related Microbiome Metabolites Modulate Splicing and Chromatin Accessibility in the Brain
Short Talk: Age-Related Microbiome Metabolites Modulate Splicing and Chromatin Accessibility in the Brain
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Microbe-Microbe Interactions in the Human Microbiome
8:00–11:00 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Tami Lieberman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Evolution of the Skin Microbiome Across Scales
Evolution of the Skin Microbiome Across Scales
Sur Herrera Paredes, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Population Genetics to Study Evolution in the Human Microbiome
Population Genetics to Study Evolution in the Human Microbiome
Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Technion Institute of Technology
Functional Plasticity in Microbiota-Host interactions
Functional Plasticity in Microbiota-Host interactions
Benjamin D. Ross, Dartmouth College
Mechanisms and Consequences of Microbial Warfare in the Gut
Mechanisms and Consequences of Microbial Warfare in the Gut
Isaiah Song †, Keio University Institute for Advanced Biosciences
Short Talk: iX-seq: A Droplet Microfluidics Platform For Uncovering Cross-Feeding Interactions In The Human Gut Microbiota
Short Talk: iX-seq: A Droplet Microfluidics Platform For Uncovering Cross-Feeding Interactions In The Human Gut Microbiota
Smita Gopinath †, Harvard School of Public Health
Short Talk: Microbiome-mediated Inhibition of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections
Short Talk: Microbiome-mediated Inhibition of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Riverview Lounge
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
On Own for Lunch
11:00–3:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Career Roundtable (Joint)
2:00–3:30 PM
Alhambra Ballroom
Panel Discussion
3:30–4:30 PM
Alhambra Ballroom
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
In vivo Diversity and Dynamics
5:00–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Bernat Olle, Vedanta Biosciences
Development of Potential First-in-Class Live Biotherapeutic Products for Gastrointestinal Diseases
Development of Potential First-in-Class Live Biotherapeutic Products for Gastrointestinal Diseases
Julie A. Segre, National Institutes of Health
Global Skin Microbiomes and Emerging Fungal Pathogens
Global Skin Microbiomes and Emerging Fungal Pathogens
Sarah Lebeer, University of Antwerp
Citizen Science to Study the Vaginal Microbiome
Citizen Science to Study the Vaginal Microbiome
Eitan Yaffe †, Stanford
Short Talk: Mobilization of Resistance Genes in the Human Gut Under Antibiotic Pressure
Short Talk: Mobilization of Resistance Genes in the Human Gut Under Antibiotic Pressure
Erica T Grant †, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Short Talk: Mucin on the Menu: Insights into the Mucus-Associated Microbiome from the LUXFICO Study
Short Talk: Mucin on the Menu: Insights into the Mucus-Associated Microbiome from the LUXFICO Study
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Advanced Methods to Study the Microbiome (Joint)
8:00–11:00 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Donald E. Ingber, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard
Studying the Vaginal Microbiome with Organ-on-a-Chip Methods
Studying the Vaginal Microbiome with Organ-on-a-Chip Methods
Cheri Ackerman, Concerto Biosciences
Measuring Millions of Microbial Combinations to Unravel the Ecology of the Skin Microbiome
Measuring Millions of Microbial Combinations to Unravel the Ecology of the Skin Microbiome
Elaine Y. Hsiao, University of California, Los Angeles
Advances in the Gut-Brain Axis
Advances in the Gut-Brain Axis
Diego Gelsinger †, Columbia University
Short Talk: Metagenomic Editing of Commensal Bacteria in vivo using CRISPR-associated Transposases
Short Talk: Metagenomic Editing of Commensal Bacteria in vivo using CRISPR-associated Transposases
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Riverview Lounge
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:20–9:25 AM
Cascade Ballroom
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Jim Shaw †, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Algorithmic Advances in Nanopore Metagenome Assembly Uncover Hidden Strain Diversity and Genome Dynamics
Algorithmic Advances in Nanopore Metagenome Assembly Uncover Hidden Strain Diversity and Genome Dynamics
Lindsay S Moffatt †, University of Guelph
An Efficient Trigonometry-Based Method for High-Throughput Whole Genome Analysis
An Efficient Trigonometry-Based Method for High-Throughput Whole Genome Analysis
Piotr Rozwalak †, Friedrich Schiller University
Mushuvirus is the Most Prevalent Human Gut Bacteriophage Worldwide
Mushuvirus is the Most Prevalent Human Gut Bacteriophage Worldwide
Yuya Kiguchi †, Stanford University
Small Protein Array of the Human Microbiome is a Modulator of Macrophage Polarization
Small Protein Array of the Human Microbiome is a Modulator of Macrophage Polarization
Lior Lobel †, Bar-Ilan University
Unveiling Bacterial Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Immunotherapy Response: A Novel Metaproteomic Approach
Unveiling Bacterial Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Immunotherapy Response: A Novel Metaproteomic Approach
Vincent Charron-Lamoureux †, University of California - San Diego
Creating and Searching a Metadata Network Graph for Microbiome Metabolomics
Creating and Searching a Metadata Network Graph for Microbiome Metabolomics
Saria McKeithen-Mead †, Stanford University
Capturing Evolution via Gene Transfer in the Gut Microbiome
Capturing Evolution via Gene Transfer in the Gut Microbiome
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Microbiome Drivers of Disease
5:00–6:45 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Benjamin Hadida, Exeliom Biosciences
Microbiome-Based Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment
Microbiome-Based Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment
Karine Clément, INSERM / Sorbonne Universite
Diabetes, Obesity and the Gut Microbiome
Diabetes, Obesity and the Gut Microbiome
Premysl Bercik, McMaster University
Microbiome and IBS
Microbiome and IBS
Julien Pujo †, McMaster University
Short Talk: Bacterial Phospholipids Induce Chronic Abdominal Pain In Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Short Talk: Bacterial Phospholipids Induce Chronic Abdominal Pain In Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Cash Bar
8:00–9:00 PM
Entertainment
8:00–9:00 PM
Friday, January 23, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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