Despite a longstanding appreciation of the species-level diversity of the human microbiome, and evidence for its role in health and disease, the true scale of its genetic diversity and dynamics of host microbial communities has only recently come to light. Indeed, recent studies suggest that half of every person's microbial gene content may be entirely unique. Our understanding of mechanisms that generate intraspecies genetic diversity in the human microbiome and its functional consequences for selection and adaptation have advanced considerably - to a point that justifies a dedicated conference on a topic.

This conference is of fundamental importance to understand the dynamics of human-microbe interactions, the shaping of microbial communities within the host and the future of the microbiome field. The goal is to bring together researchers studying hosts and microbiomes, with those studying fundamental microbiology, microbial genetics, and microbial ecology to spark deeper and more mechanistic research in the microbiome field. Pioneering tools and technologies to interrogate microbial genetics and microbial community composition will be featured, alongside innovative strategies to integrate these data with discoveries regarding host-microbe interactions, adaptations and impacts.

The conference will be held jointly with the Keystone Symposium on Host-Microbe Co-Evolution in Human Health: The Microbiome-Pathobiont Continuum to enable cross-disciplinary insights and collaborations towards a more comprehensive and integrative understanding of the holobiont.