GIMM Festival to Address Global Microbiology Challenges in Lisbon

The GIMM Festival will convene top microbiology experts in Lisbon from September 17 to 19, 2026, to explore themes such as emerging viruses, antimicrobial resistance, and biological engineering. Esteemed figures, including 2020 Nobel laureate Charles M. Rice, will discuss pressing microbiological challenges. The event's theme, 'Microbes – The Questions of the Future,' highlights the urgency of understanding microorganisms' roles in health and sustainability.

Keynote speakers include Yasmine Belkaid, recognized for her work on the microbiome; Bonnie Bassler, an authority on bacterial communication; and Isabel Gordo, who studies bacterial evolution. The festival seeks to bridge science and society, emphasizing the global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, as noted by the World Health Organization. Advances in microbiome and microbial engineering offer new opportunities for medicine and biotechnology.

Maria Manuel Mota, CEO of the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, stated that the festival aims to unite researchers and the public to discuss these crucial topics. The event underlines Lisbon's role as a nexus for scientific discourse and innovation.