Scientific Spring Meeting KNVM & NVMM 2012

Introduction
The spring meeting of the two Dutch Microbiological Societies (NVMM & KNVM) will be held on April
17 & 18 2012 in Papendal. Last year was a very special year, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the
Dutch Society of Microbiology, now the Royal Dutch society for Microbiology (KNVM). Last year we
had over a 1000 visitors at Papendal; let’s try and equal in 2012.
This year we have again a two-day program with on day one a plenary session. During the remaining
program many invited speakers from all over the world will join us at Papendal. The general theme of
this year is sustainability. Microbes make up most of the biodiversity on earth and microorganisms are
of critical importance for the cycling of nutrients, the degradation of various compounds and the global
climate. Knowledge of this helps us to develop strategies to utilize our natural resources in a long term
sustainable manner. Also within, patient care and treatment options sustainability is a theme that we
encounter more and more. Four renowned speakers will open the meeting in the plenary session on
Tuesday morning. Prof. Jef Huisman from the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics in
Amsterdam will talk on microbes in the environment, while Prof. Derek Lovely from the University of
Massachusetts will educate us on the electrifying area of electromicrobiology. Prof. Grant McFadden of
the University of Florida, USA, will explore how poxviruses can be recycled to treat cancer and Prof.
Fernando Baquero, MD, PhD, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, will talk on sustainability of antibiotic
efficacy: from containment to restorative approaches.
Throughout the program you will find seminars and symposia addressing the issue of sustainability but
also the broad area of microbiologically from basic research to clinical applications is addressed in these
sessions. Since we had a record number of abstracts (2011 not included) we feel that more and more
this Spring meeting is an excellent way to get acquainted with all aspects of Microbiology in the
Netherlands and to meet all your colleagues in an pleasant and open atmosphere to discuss science,
exchange thoughts and open new avenues for collaborations or possibly find your next job.
As always, several prices will be awarded, both from NVMM and KNVM, so even You can be awarded.
Below you will find more information on the prizes and remember to nominate your PhD students or
Postdocs. To make the meeting even more interesting for young scientists, the Stichting Antonie van
Leeuwenhoek will again sponsor all presenting PhD students with grants.
We hope to see you all in Papendal and look forward to an exciting and inspiring meeting and share
new data and insight in Microbiology in all its aspects (NVMM).
The organizing committee
Jos A G van Strijp
Microbiology awards 2012:
Poster prize Three poster prizes will be awarded for the best poster presentation.
(1 st prize: Euro 200, 2 nd & 3 rd prize: Euro 100)
Kiem prize (Kiemprijs) Three Kiem prizes, Euro 500 each, will be awarded to three
PhD-students for a first scientific paper.
Best thesis award The best thesis within the broad area of microbiology will be awarded
with an amount of Euro 1000.
Postdoc award A prize of Euro 2000 is awarded to the postdoctoral fellow with
the best achievements in microbiology in the preceding years.
All prizes cover the areas of Microbiology in the broadest sense: parasitology, virology, bacteriology,
mycology, molecular studies, epidemiological studies, clinical microbiology, microbe-host interaction,
biotechnological aspects and further. Four committees will judge the proposals.
Award ceremony, Tuesday 17 April, 13:00 - 13:30 hours, Room Athene B/C
After the plenary session on Tuesday the winners of the Kiem prize, Best thesis award and Postdoc
award will be announced.
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