The 4th African Microbiome Symposium welcomes abstract submissions across a broad range of microbiome research areas. Across all tracks, we particularly encourage submissions that reflect collaborative, Africa-relevant, translational or implementation-oriented microbiome research. Foundational, methodological and discovery-driven studies that contribute to advancing microbiome science across health, agriculture, ecosystems, technology and society are also welcome.
Abstract requirements & deadlines
Abstracts should include the following:
- Title
- Authors
- Affiliations
- Abstract body (Max 500 words)
The abstract body should clearly describe the background or rationale, objectives, methods, key findings or expected findings, and conclusions or relevance of the work. Abstracts describing ongoing work may be submitted, provided that the aims, approach and anticipated contribution are clearly stated.
Oral deadline: 30 August 2026
Poster deadline: 15 October 2026
Presentation categories
Please indicate your preferred presentation format when submitting your abstract:
- Oral presentation
- Poster presentation
Abstracts submitted for oral presentation but not selected for an oral slot may still be accepted for poster presentation. Oral presentations will be allocated as either short talks (~10 min) or long talks (~20 min). All accepted poster presenters will be required to submit an electronic poster and a selected number of poster presenters may also be invited to give short flash talks.
Themes
Please select the theme that best matches your abstract. The Scientific Committee may reassign abstracts to a different theme where appropriate.
Human Microbiomes: From Disease to Health
Studies focused on clinical, hospital, respiratory, gut, vaginal, skin, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease, immune and other health-related microbiomes. This theme includes work spanning basic research, epidemiology, diagnostics, therapeutics, public health and clinical translation.
Feeding the Future: Microbiomes in Agrifood Systems
Studies related to crops, food systems, fermentation, animal production, plant microbiomes, biocontrol and agricultural resilience. This theme explores how microbiomes can support sustainable food systems, food security and agricultural innovation.
Microbiomes in the Wild: Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Studies focused on environmental microbiomes, rhizosphere and sediment systems, seagrass, wildlife, freshwater, marine and broader ecological microbiome dynamics across land and water.
The Microbiome Toolkit: Emerging Methods and Technologies
Studies focused on microbiome methods, tools and technologies, including metagenomics, full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, nanopore sequencing, multi-omics, meta-analysis, bioinformatics workflows, artificial intelligence, natural language processing and other analytical or methodological advances driving innovation in microbiome research.
Connecting Communities: Microbiomes, People and Policy
Studies and initiatives exploring the socio-ethical dimensions of microbiome research, indigenous knowledge, equity and access, science communication, public engagement, community partnerships, implementation, policy translation and the responsible application of microbiome science in society.
Review and selection
Abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee according to scientific quality, clarity, relevance to the selected theme, contribution to microbiome science, and alignment with the aims of the symposium. Preference may be given to abstracts that demonstrate clear relevance to African contexts, collaborative research, translational potential, implementation pathways or capacity strengthening. The first review outcomes will be sent out on the 10th of September, whereafter incoming submission reviews will be processed biweekly.
Submission notes
Please ensure that all author names, affiliations and contact details are correct at the time of submission. The presenting author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have approved the abstract prior to submission. Abstracts should be written in clear English and should avoid unexplained abbreviations or excessive technical detail where possible.
