The Beneficial Microbes Conference series started in 2008. During the years, it has become an important meeting point for academia and industry providing a reference source for professionals who want to be updated on the advances in prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic research for human and animal health across the lifespan.

At the previous conference in 2022, a panel debate titled ‘Postbiotics, definition and scope’ was held. The aim of this panel was to advance the discussion about postbiotics in the aftermath of some published disagreement about the definition of postbiotics produced and published by ISAPP. The debaters included Prof. Seppo Salminen and Dr Gabriel Vinderola, both members of the board of directors of ISAPP and co-authors of the ISAPP postbiotics definition, supporting the ISAPP definition, and Prof. Lorenzo Morelli (in attendance virtually) and Dr Guus Roeselers challenging the ISAPP definition. The debate consisted of 15-minute opening arguments on both sides, followed by an open discussion guided by the conference chair, Prof. Koen Venema. For those interested, the videorecording of the debate can be viewed here.

For those interested, the book of abstracts from the last 4 conferences can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant image below.

Interested participants from universities, research institutes and industry are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for ORAL and POSTER presentations. Particularly students are encouraged to submit abstracts.

Important deadlines

• Submission deadline for oral presentations: 1 April 2023
• Submission deadline for poster presentations: 1 October 2023

Rules for submission

Poster presentation

Posters will be displayed throughout the conference. Poster size: A0 portrait (841 mm x 1189 mm). Appropriate means of affixing the poster to the poster board will be supplied on site.

Speed presentations

A few poster abstracts will be selected for brief oral presentations (‘speed presentations’).

The scientific programme is under the control of the Advisory Committee. High-quality speakers, ample time for discussions, and every opportunity to establish rewarding connections are values the Beneficial Microbes Conference series wants to uphold.

Further information will follow as soon as available.

The 10th Beneficial Microbes Conference offers various business opportunities, including sponsoring and exhibiting. Parallel to the conference a commercial exhibition will be organised with presentations of products and services related to prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Participants of the conference have ample opportunity to visit the exhibition during the various breaks.

Reasons why becoming a sponsor/exhibitor is a good marketing strategy:

• Communicate your message to a highly qualified scientific and expert audience
• Increase visibility in focused markets
• Highlight your company’s expertise
• Generate new sales leads
• Network with specialists
• Build new partnerships
• Find out about new research being undertaken

You can download the brochure with the various business opportunities here.

The fee includes the book of abstracts, lunch, coffee/tea, and drinks/snacks as announced in the timetable. The registration fee does not include hotel accommodation.

According to EU legislation, the services in respect of admission to cultural, artistic, sporting, scientific, educational, entertainment or similar events, are subjected to the VAT (Value Added Tax) of the place where the event actually takes place. As the event will take place in the Netherlands, the service invoiced to you is subjected to Dutch VAT (21%). See, in this regard, articles 53 and 54 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC.

	Students 1,2	Universities	Regular	Special 3
Early Bird Fee registered AND paid before 1 July 2023	€ 435	€ 645	€ 785	€ 475
Fee registered AND paid before 1 September 2023	€ 435	€ 745	€ 885	€ 475
Fee registered AND paid before 27 November 2023	€ 435	€ 845	€ 985	€ 475

1. Bachelor, Master and PhD students only; postdocs are not considered 'students'.
   
2. Registration will only be accepted if the Conference Registration Form is accompanied by (i) a proof of studentship and (ii) an abstract for a poster presentation; otherwise, registration will be denied.
   
3. Every paying participant (except for registered students) may be accompanied by one participant for the special registration fee, provided that the following conditions are met: (i) the paying participant and the accompanying participant are employed with the same company/organisation at the same location; and (ii) the paying participant and the accompanying participant register and pay (with ONE invoice) at the same time.
   

Cancellation policy

Refunds, minus € 250 administrative charge, will be made for cancellations received up to 15 October 2023. Cancellations are only valid if notice is received in writing. For cancellations made after 15 October 2023, no refunds will be paid. However, a participant may designate a substitute delegate.

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