Microbiota and Mucosal Immunology 2011

Hosts and their microbiomes have evolved symbiotic relationships that establish and maintain homeostasis of the immune system at mucosal surfaces. This conference will bring together scientists and clinicians from various backgrounds to provide a comprehensive view of the interaction of the microbiome and the host immune responses at mucosal surfaces. In particular, the focus will be on the recent progress in understanding the composition and behavior of commensal microbiota, their ability to induce and become controlled by host innate and adaptive immunity, bacterial mechanisms to circumvent host immune responses and the pathological consequences of disrupting this finely tuned immunological balance. The meeting will consist of the following five sessions:

• Microorganisms of the mucosa: Behavior and dynamics
• The host-commensal interface: Development, innate immunity, tolerance
• Microorganisms versus host: Pathogenic mechanisms
• Microorganisms versus host: Host response
• Mucosal immunity in health and disease