Conference Description
The Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity and its companion Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will feature research on the fundamental mechanisms of host-microbe/toxin interactions and bacterial pathogenesis. This biennial international conference is regarded by the microbial pathogenesis community as our premier venue for intellectual exchange. To be held July 12-17, 2026, at the Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, the conference is led by Chair Victor J. Torres, PhD and Vice Chair Sunny Shin, PhD.
The sessions will integrate cutting-edge research on bacterial toxins, virulence regulation, pathogenesis, pathogen evolution, physiology, the role of host microbiota, and innate immune responses. Poster sessions will promote extended discussions between colleagues within and across disciplines. To integrate and develop the next generation of scientists in our field, the GRC will be preceded by a GRS. Together the GRS and GRC promise to provide an exceptional forum to learn about recent discoveries in the field, and to consider and challenge the current paradigms, barriers, and opportunities to advance knowledge of molecular mechanisms of microbial infection.
The topics, speakers, and discussion leaders for the conference sessions are displayed below. The conference chair is currently developing their detailed program, which will include the complete meeting schedule, as well as the talk titles for all speakers. The detailed program will be available by March 14, 2026. Please check back for updates.
Keynote Session: Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis
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Toxins, Effectors and Pathogenesis
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Metabolism, Microbiome, and Infections
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Host–Pathogen Interactions: Conflict and Adaptation
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Effectors and Structural Mechanisms Underlying Pathogenesis
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Molecular Mechanisms of AMR
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Immune Responses and Pathogenesis
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Phages, Immunity, and Bacterial Evolution
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Keynote Session: Host-Pathogen and Microbiota Interactions
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