The convention theme “Microbiology and Biotechnology:  Rising to the Challenges of the Times,” sets the tone as the Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) celebrates its Ruby Anniversary with a “big bang.”  This year, the 40th PSM Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting coincides with the 6th Asia-Pacific Biotechnology Congress, which is held only every five years. More than 400 microbiologists, biotechnologists, scientists and experts in various fields, entrepreneurs, students and guests are expected from the Asia-Pacific Region including the Philippines.

The twin event is honored that no less than the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Benigno S. Aquino III, will grace the opening ceremonies at Summit Halls of the Philippine International Convention Center.  Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will also address the event to welcome guests to the beautiful and enchanting City of Manila. The former DOST Secretary who is currently the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Rice Research Institute, Dr. William G. Padolina, is the keynote speaker.

This year would be a truly momentous event as PSM pays a special tribute to its founders, 40 years after their collective effort in highlighting the importance of microbiology in the country. The opening ceremonies will also draw attention to the recognition of the PSM Outstanding Microbiologist and Service Awardees.  Dr. Esperanza C Cabrera, a registered medical technologist and professor of the De La Salle University is PSM 2011 Outstanding Microbiologist.  The PSM 2011 Service Award goes to Dr. Rosario G. Monsalud, researcher of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Los Banos, for her devoted and unselfish service to the society. Miriam College will receive the PSM Institutional Service Award for its unwavering support to the society’s objectives and activities.  PSM will give a Special Citation Award to Prof. Fusao Tomita, (Prof. Emeritus of Hokkaido University and Ambassador of the International Union of Microbial Societies, IUMS).

The convention will feature a series of plenary lectures, oral paper competition, poster paper competition and technical oral and poster paper sessions.  Leading the panel of distinguished plenary speakers is Prof. Michael T. Madigan who will deliver the first plenary lecture on “Microbial Diversity, Solutions to Global Challenges on Renewable Energy and CO2 Sequestration” Prof. Madigan is the senior author of the authoritative textbook on microbiology “Brock: Biology of Microorganisms.”  Dr. Chris Griffith from Von Holy consulting, South Africa will follow with his lecture on how to manage food safety amidst the emergence of new pathogens. The poster paper session opens right before the Philippine Academy for Microbiology (PAM) ceremonies and the PSM Business Meeting in the afternoon of the first day of the convention. PSM will host a fellowship dinner at the PICC Banquet Halls in the evening of day 1. With a significant number of foreign participants and guests, PSM envisions the fellowship dinner to showcase the  Filipino hospitality and the Fiesta Culture with good food (prepared by famous “Via Mare”) and performances from various PSM Regional Chapters, the National Board and the distinguished officers and members of the Philippine Academy for Microbiology (PAM). The second day of the convention will feature a series of plenary lectures in the morning and an oral paper competition session in the afternoon. Five papers are competing for best oral paper award.

During the morning plenary session, Dr. Peter Rogers (NSW, Australia) will lecture on Bioethanol and Other High Value Products from Lignocellulosics” while Dr. Danilo Porro (Milan, Italy) will discuss the latest on Industrial Yeast Biotechnology.  Atty. Lawrence Ilag,  a Filipino based in the United States will talk on important intellectual property considerations in developing microbial-based products.  Dr. Howard George Ling, also from USA will describe in his lecture the global consumers’ attitude towards food derived from genetically modified crops.  Dr. Leopold Ilag , another Filipino now based in Sweden will talk on how biomolecular mass spectrometry has revolutionized the way biological problems are investigated. Simultaneous Technical Sessions will take place on the third day of the convention.  Due to time constraints, only 26 technical oral presentations could be accommodated in 6 simultaneous technical sessions.  A total of 93 poster papers will be presented in two poster sessions with 18 papers contending for the best poster paper award. The twin event hopes to provide a forum where experts in the various fields of microbiology and biotechnology can engage in interesting discussions that will provide microbiological and biotechnological solutions to the challenges of the times.