NAVE workshop “Measuring Phage Parameters” in Utrecht

On the last day of October, 30 researchers and students from six different countries joined the NAVE workshop, organized by the MGX group at Utrecht University. Led by Dr. Yuval Mulla from the VU Amsterdam, the participants learned how to measure phage activity in a sample, despite phages being much harder to observe than bacteria. During the hands-on part, the virus enthusiasts learned how to model the dynamics of bacterial populations undergoing phage predation and how to extract phage amplification rates from bacterial growth curves. Details of the method can be found in Yuval’s manuscript: Extreme diversity of phage amplification rates and phage-antibiotic interactions revealed by PHORCEExternal link.

In the afternoon, the participants engaged in a “research mixer”: inspired by science speed-dating events, selected speakers each had their own breakout-rooms/desks, where small groups stimulated lively discussions between in-person and online participants, and overlaps or potential collaborations could be discussed. Based on the key themes of the speakers’ presentations, the organizers built a research network, showing the overlaps between the projects. This gave the participants an additional tool to determine where they would fall within the network and who would be their most likely collaborators.

After many insightful scientific discussions, the participants’ gut microbiomes demanded nutrients! So, the day ended at a vegetarian pizza bar in Utrecht.