The microbial communities that reside in the human gut and their impact on human health and disease are one of the most exciting new areas of research today. To address the most recent advances in this rapidly developing field, scientists and health-care professionals from all over the world will come together at the Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit in Miami, Florida, on March 8 and 9, 2014. The meeting is hosted by the Gut Microbiota & Health Section of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, with the support of Danone. Through lectures and interactive workshops, the summit will explore the role of the human gut microbiota in digestive and overall health.
Journalists are invited to take part in a special online press conference with gut microbiota experts on Friday, March 7, 2014, at 10 a.m. EST. Moderated by UK media medic Dr Mark Porter, best known for his television and radio work for the BBC, the press conference will address the following questions:
Gas and irritable bowel syndrome: what role does the gut microbiota play?
Speaker: Giovanni Barbara, Italy
Non-bacterial microbes in the gut: what are they, how do we characterize them, and what do they do?
Speaker: Gary Wu, USA
How can probiotics and prebiotics be used in pediatrics?
Speaker: Brent Polk, USA (to be confirmed)