ClostPath9, Freiburg 2015
The 9th International Conference on the Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of the Clostridia
(ClostPath) was held in Freiburg, Germany between 7th and 11th September. Among the delegates
was an eight-strong contingent from the Health Group within the Synthetic Biology Research Centre
at the University of Nottingham.
Starting promptly at 08:30 each day, the scientific programme consisted of key-note lectures,
symposia and poster sessions covering a range of topics including toxins and disease, virulence gene
regulation, sporulation, germination, epidemiology and therapeutics. Both the quality of talks and
the research being presented were of an exceptionally high standard throughout the conference.
Of the group of eight which travelled from Nottingham, five are current PhD students and each of us
presented a poster detailing the results of our current research. Michaella presented on the isolation
of C. difficile bacteriophages, Natasha on her work investigating the genetics of C. difficile Binary
toxin, Lorna on her work characterising a C. difficile germination protease, Michelle presented on a
Restriction modification system in C. difficile and I presented my work investigating genes involved in
C. difficile sporulation and germination. Accompanying us were post-doctoral researcher Carolyn
Meaney who presented a poster outlining her work investigating spore germination of C. botulinum,
senior research fellow Sarah Kuehne, who presented a poster on C. difficile ribotypes and their
significance in relapse patients, and professor Nigel Minton who presented a well-received talk on
the development of genetic tools for the manipulation of Clostridia.
Away from the conference venue, we were able to network with our fellow delegates, venture out
into the City centre (taking particular care not to step in the “Baechle”), enjoy a hike into the Black
Forest, and, most-importantly, enjoy a slice of Black Forest Gateaux!
We would like to thank the School of Life Sciences for the generous awarding of Travel Grants which
made attendance at this conference possible.
Patrick Ingle, Lorna Finch, Michaella Whittle, Natasha Kinsmore & Michelle Lister
Michaella Whittle presenting her
poster on isolating C. difficile
bacteriophages
Patrick Ingle, Natasha Kinsmore, Michelle Lister and
Michaella Whittle enjoying the sights of Freiburg