Over two and a half days, 97 scientists from across disciplines came together to explore the crucial role of microbiomes in shaping the health of humans, animals, plants, and the planet.
The beautiful setting once again provided the ideal backdrop for scientific exchange and social interaction. Ample opportunities for informal discussions fostered a collaborative atmosphere throughout the event.
This year’s program highlighted both our current scientific milestones and the cluster’s future direction. Key researchers delivered comprehensive presentations detailing their latest progress alongside their strategic vision for a second funding phase of the CoE. Meanwhile, early-career researchers presented their work during dedicated poster sessions, sharing recent findings and having lively discussions across research groups.
A special highlight of the meeting was the Austrian Microbiome Research Award ceremony, which recognizes outstanding microbiome research conducted in Austria. This year, we were proud to celebrate the achievements of Julia (Best PhD thesis), Goodness (Best paper), and Jakob (Best MSc thesis), who were honored for their excellent contributions to the field.
Participants returned from Burgenland with fresh perspectives and strengthened collaborations to continue study how microbial communities can drive solutions for a sustainable future. As the cluster enters its fourth year, we look forward to working on the renewal proposal.
