The conference aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience, discuss the results of the latest scientific projects, and foster collaboration among leading experts in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry of microorganisms. This year, the organizing committee received over 350 applications from students, PhD students, and scientists from seven countries.

The conference program included plenary lectures by leading scientists, oral and poster sessions, and opportunities for scientific discussions.

The plenary lectures were delivered by:

• Mikhail Gelfand, D.Sc. in Biology, Professor, Vice President for Biomedical Research, Skoltech — “Ancient DNA and the History of Epidemics”
• Petr Sergiev, D.Sc. in Chemistry, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Acting Director of the Institute of Functional Genomics and Biochemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University — “Sequence Specificity of Translation-Inhibiting Antibiotics towards mRNA”
• Yulia Bespyatykh, Ph.D. in Biology, Head of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Yu.M. Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center for Physical and Chemical Medicine of FMBA of Russia; Associate Professor, Department of Expertise in Doping and Narcotics Control, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology; Chief External Specialist of the Central Federal District, FMBA of Russia, in Clinical Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance — “Gut Microbiota: A Key Player in Systemic Health and Pathology”
• Anton Chugunov, Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics, Senior Research Scientist, In silico Membrane Protein Structure Analysis Group, M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS — “Archaeal and Bacterial Biomembranes: What are their Strengths and Weaknesses?”
• Peter Fineran, Professor, University of Otago, New Zealand — “Defence and Counter-Defence Strategies in the Phage-Bacterium Arms Race”
• Olga Musharova, Ph.D. in Biology, Head of the Biomedical Department, Biotek Campus LLC — “National Genetic Initiative”
• Konstantin Miroshnikov, D.Sc. in Chemistry, Corresponding Member of RAS, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Bioengineering, M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS — “Bacterial Phytopathogens: Diversity, Diagnostics, and Prospects of Bacteriophage Application for Biocontrol”
• Anna Speranskaya, Ph.D. in Biology, Acting Head of the DNA Metabolome and Transcriptome Editing Laboratory, Institute of General Genetics, RAS — “Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Coronaviruses in Mammals in Russia: A Bridge Between Europe and Asia”

The best oral and poster presentations by participants were recognized with awards provided by the conference partners. The organizing committee expresses its gratitude to the conference sponsors and partners: Lumiprobe, Logika Moloka, Nobias Technologies, AMKSB, PCR.NEWS, Nasha Laba, yourPCR, Biomolecula, OpenBio, and the Interregional Microbiological Society.

This year, the conference also featured a joint competition with the popular science portal Biomolecula for the best popular science article, as well as a closed roundtable with industry representatives.