13th International Conference on the Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Clostridia (ClostPath 13) - Summary First held in Tuscon, AZ in 1995, the International Conferences on the Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Clostridia (ClostPath) bring together academics, clinicians, and industry scientists. Since its inception, the ClostPath conferences have been a popular forum to discuss the latest research and clinical findings regarding pathogenic Clostridia. Over the past 5 – 10 years, the field has seen a rapid advance in reliable and easy methods to introduce mutations into organisms that were otherwise considered genetically intractable. Because of this, there has been a rapid increase in the number of impactful studies that shed light on the fundamental mechanisms of pathogenesis. Moreover, with the ever-increasing ease of generating DNA sequencing, metagenomic / microbiome comparisons in the Clostridia have led to new hypotheses and new areas of exploration. For these reasons, it is imperative to continue with the tradition of face-to-face meetings to discuss these findings in intimate settings. The ClostPath 13 conference will be held September 19 – 23, 2023 in Banff, Canada and will provide a forum for the dissemination of new ideas and findings. The ClostPath conference will consist of an invited Keynote speaker and 12 invited plenary speakers. Each of the invited speakers will headline one of the sessions on: Gene Regulation; One Health; -omics; Treatments & Healthcare; Physiology; Microbiome; Torhu Shimizu Lecture; Toxins; Spores; Microbe – Microbe Interactions; Host Response to Infection. In each session, there will be oral presentations chosen from submitted abstracts that fit the session topic. Abstracts will be chosen so as to increase the visibility of junior scientists and scientists from under representative demographics and allow for diverse geography of our presenters. Also, Young Scientists will be chosen to moderate each of the sessions. This type of exposure will allow these burgeoning scientists to have an increased exposure in the scientific community. The objectives for the ClostPath 13 will be to continue to (i) provide a venue to allow for the presentation of cutting-edge research on pathogenic Clostridia; and (ii) encourage the participation of young scientists and junior faculty in each of the plenary sessions. These objectives will be supported by two Aims: Aim 1 is to provide an environment that supports the development of young scientists and scientists from diverse demographics. Aim 2 is to provide a setting that promotes the easy exchange of ideas, hypotheses, and innovative experimental strategies.
