The Cairns Convention Centre, located on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is hosting the prestigious Viruses of Microbes 2024 (VoM) conference this week. The landmark event, hosted by the International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms brings together over 500 scientists, researchers, government regulators and industry leaders from across the globe to discuss the latest advancements in microbial virus research under the theme “Expanding our viral frontiers.” In line with the theme, this event is the first time the VoM conference has taken place outside of Europe.
The five-day conference features a comprehensive program highlighting the most recent advances in microbial virus research and applications. The conference includes attendees from a wide-ranging audience, interested in both fundamental and applied research such as:
- Ecology and evolution of microbial viruses
- Virus-host interactions
- Phage therapy
- Viral structure and function
- Bioinformatics and AI applications
- Archaeal and Eukaryotic viruses
- Microbiome and systems virology
- Bacterial immune systems and viral defence
- Synthetic virology
- Early-Career Researcher (ECR) spotlight session
Cairns’ strategic location near World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest offers attendees ample opportunities for scientific and recreational exploration. It is the ideal location for the association’s first meeting outside of Europe, as explained by Associate Professor Jeremy J. Barr, from Monash University, who is the VoM 2024’s meeting co-chair: “The Cairns Convention Centre offers world-class facilities that perfectly meet our conference needs. The city of Cairns, with its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is an ideal location for this international gathering. Our attendees are thrilled to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, adding a special dimension to the scientific discussions.”
Janet Hamilton, General Manager at Cairns Convention Centre added: “Hosting the VoM 2024 Conference is an honour for us. Our expanded venue, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, combined with Cairns’ unique natural beauty, provides an exceptional environment for scientific discourse and collaboration. We are committed to ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees and look forward to welcoming them over the coming days.”
The event is supported by Business Events Australia, Tourism & Events Queensland, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, with Waldron Smith Management providing PCO services for the conference.
