Now in its 32nd year, the Molecular Microbial Ecology Group (MMEG) meeting returns 14-15 December 2026 at the INOX suite, Student’s Union, University of Sheffield, hosted by Dr. Ian Lidbury.
MMEG is a welcoming, lively space for early career researchers and group leaders to share their work and connect across the wider microbial ecology community. The programme will span all aspects of molecular microbiology and microbial ecology, including biogeochemical cycling, host-microbe interactions, environmental and animal (inc. human) microbiomes and applied microbiology, with a focus on talks delivered by early career speakers.
The event features plenary sessions, posters, and exhibition. Abstract submissions are invited for either a 15-minute oral presentation (12-min talk & 3-min Q & A) or a poster presentation. We welcome submissions from researchers across early career stages from undergraduate, master’s students, technical staff, PhD researchers and post-doctoral research associates.
We are excited to present a keynote talk by Dr. Ellie Harrison, University of Sheffield. Ellie is a leading scientist in microbial evolution and ecology with a particular interest in how horizontal gene transfer impacts microbial fitness and microbiome function. Ellie will present work exploring the power of the, often overlooked, diversity of mobile elements within the genome - namely plasmids and phages - to shape the keystone, nitrogen fixing mutualism between rhizobia and legumes.
On Monday night we have hired a space in the Cambridge Street Collective, Europe’s largest purpose-built food hall. While the atmosphere is informal, the connections forged here often span entire careers. Food and selected drinks are included with your registration.
The standard ticket price is £150+VAT and includes access to all conference sessions across the two days including refreshments and lunch, access to the Monday evening social including selected food and drinks, posters and exhibition, digital certificate of attendance, and CPD points. Payment by credit card only.
Financial support is available for AMI Members via the AMI Student Travel Bursary Non-members who attended MMEG 2023/24/25, and those registered to attend MMEG 2026, get 50% off AMI membership. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout. We encourage bursary applicants to seek supervisor/department support first so we can prioritise those who need it most. Preference is given to those who have submitted an abstract.
Reasons To Attend
