LSTM hosts experts in mycobacterial research for Acid Fast Club Meeting

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine welcomed more than 120 researchers from across the UK and Ireland to the latest meeting of the Acid Fast Club (AFC).

The club is the UK’s long-standing society dedicated to mycobacterial research, founded in 1954. Scientists working across all aspects of mycobacteria and tuberculosis (TB) research meet to discuss progress through biannual meetings.

The most recent meeting marked a significant milestone as the first AFC conference ever to be hosted in Liverpool in the society’s 72-year history. The event was organised by LSTM researchers Dr Daire Cantillon and Dr Naomi Walker, with support from Caitlin Percy and Ilinca Memelis.

Dr Cantillon said: “We were delighted to be able to host this conference at LSTM and facilitate two days of excellent discussions on mycobacterial research, which has helped catalyse new UK and Ireland-wide collaborations and translational partnerships.”

The meeting showcased cutting-edge research spanning tuberculosis, drug discovery, genomics and public health. LSTM was strongly represented throughout the programme:

– Dr Kerry Millington, director of LSTM’s Centre for Tuberculosis research, discussed gender equity in TB;

– Dr Cantillon presented his group’s work on TB therapeutics;

– Professor Tanya Parish and Omar Farah shared insights into drug discovery;

– Dr Naomi Walker presented research on HIV-associated TB;

– Ilinca Memelis introduced a new whole genome sequencing pipeline;

– and Caitlin Percy discussed the evolution of drug resistance in TB.

The conference provided an important opportunity for researchers at all career stages to share findings, strengthen collaborations and discuss emerging challenges in mycobacterial research.

Reflecting on the event, the organisers were delighted to bring the AFC community to Liverpool and showcase the breadth and impact of TB research taking place at LSTM.

Dr Millington added: “It was a real pleasure to welcome the Acid Fast Club to Liverpool for the first time. Through the Centre for TB Research, we were particularly pleased to support early-career researchers to attend and participate in the meeting.

“Investing in the next generation of researchers is central to building a strong and sustainable TB research community, and providing opportunities to connect with established colleagues, share ideas and develop new collaborations can have a lasting impact on their careers and on the future of TB research.”