The MRH supports research across a wide spectrum of microbiome-related topics, all aimed to of devise methods for improving human and animal health by manipulating microbial populations. One of the main aims of the MRH is to provide an open research and knowledge platform for microbiome interested investigators, so as to foster interdisciplinary interactions. The MRH translates new knowledge on human and animal microbiomes in different research areas and provides a research & technology resource which will allow scientists and industries to investigate the microbiome with potential to change the face and future of healthcare.
The MRH aims to deliver innovative research that establishes Italy as a center of excellence in human/animal health, to help the development of industry and to attract multinational companies to Italy to engage in collaborative research programs.
2nd International Symposium on Bifidobacterial Biology
Parma, September 17-19, 2026
A heartfelt thank you to all participants and speakers who made the 2nd International Symposium on Bifidobacterial Biology such a success.
Three days of inspiring science, fruitful discussions, and valuable connections — we look forward to seeing you again!
A special thank you to all our speakers:
Prof. Douwe van Sinderen, School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork
Prof. Takane Katayama, Kyoto University, Japan
Dr. Abelardo Margolles, Dairy Research Institute of Asturias, Spanish National Research Council (IPLA-CSIC), Spain
Prof. Catherine Stanton, Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Cork, Ireland.
Prof. Lindsay Hall, University of Birmingham, Microbes, Infection & Microbiomes, College of Medicine and Health, United Kingdom
Prof. Sin-Hyeog Im, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
Prof. Moran Yassour, University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Dr. Fred Warren, Quadram Institute Bioscience, UK.
Dr. Trevor Lawley, Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK.
Dr. Francesca Bottacini, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland.
Dr. Hilary Browne, School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork.
Prof. KC Huang, Stanford University, USA.
Dr. Janbo Zhang, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Prof. Rodolphe Barrangou, North Carolina State University, USA.
Prof. Bo Yang, Jiangnan University, China.
Prof. Philipp Engel, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Prof. Qixiao Zhai, Jiangnan University, China.
Prof. Omry Koren, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.
Dr. Miguel Gueimonde, Dairy Research Institute of Asturias, Spanish National Research Council (IPLA-CSIC), Spain
Prof Daniel Garrido Cortes, Ponteficia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile.
Prof. Alexandra Zhernakova, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Prof. Gabriele Andrea Lugli, University of Parma, Italy.
Prof. Martin Frederik Laursen, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark.
Dr. Anthony Shiver, Stanford University, USA.
