III IMMUNOHUB ERA CHAIR ANNUAL MEETING

5^th December 2025
i3S — Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto.

About the event

This year, the ImmunoHUB project is proud to host the Annual Meeting “The Microbe-Host Interface: Interactions and Evolution.” This event will bring together internationally renowned scientists to explore the dynamic and complex relationships between microbes and their hosts. With expert speakers from the USA, UK, France, and Portugal, the meeting will highlight the latest research on microbial influence on host biology, co-evolutionary dynamics, and the implications for health and disease. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, learn from leaders in the field, and build meaningful connections with peers across disciplines. The meeting will also feature selected short talks and posters highlighting the latest research from early-career scientists and junior investigators, providing a platform for the next generation of immunology leaders to share their ideas and findings.

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of host-microbe interactions.

Where

i3S — Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde

Rua Alfredo Allen, 208. 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

When

5^th December, 2025

Language

English

Registration Fee

20€ (Registration fee includes coffee breaks, lunch and event material)

Registration Deadline

7^thNovember, 2025

Payment Deadline

14^thNovember, 2025

Abstract submission

The call for abstracts will be open until October 17^th. The abstract will be evaluated and selected either for oral communication (12 minutes each followed by up to 3 minute-discussion) or poster communication.

Programme

8:50-9:10

Registration

9:10-9:25

Welcome Session

Claudio Sunkel, i3S Director
Pedro Moura Alves, ImmunoHub ERA Chair Holder

9:25-11:25

Session I

Chairs: Sandra Sousa (i3S), Rafael Custódio (i3S)

9:25-10:10

Isabel Gordo

The tempo and mode of evolution of E.coli in the mammalian intestine

10:10-10:25

Ana Sousa, iBiMED

Aging drives gut bacteria toward pathoadaptation

10:25-11:10

Edze Westra

What determines whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa is resistant or sensitive to phage-based therapeutics?

11:10-11:25

Maria Ribeiro-Cunha, Centro Reabilitação Norte

Intestinal microbiota, immunity, and functional recovery after spinal cord injury: SCIMBIONT longitudinal cohort study

11:25-12:00

Coffee Break

12:00-13:00

Session II

Chairs: Pedro Moura-Alves (i3S), Rui Ferreira (i3S)

12:00-13:00

Harry Sokol

Gut Microbiome in IBD: from description to intervention

13:00-15:00

Lunch and Poster Session

15:00-17:15

Session III

Chairs: Manuel Vilanova (i3S), Nuno Santarém (i3S)

15:00-15:45

Ana Maldonado-Contreras

You Are What Your Microbes Eat: Diet and Immune Modulation

15:45-16:00

Catarina Pinto, iNOVA4Health

Gut-Phenolic Metabolites as Dual Modulators of AHR and NF‑κB: The Anti-Inflammatory Potential in the Intestinal Environment

16:00-16:15

Nicole Mineiro, i3S

Oral Microbiome Variation in Active Volcanic Environments: High-Throughput Study from São Miguel (Azores)

16:15-16:30

Clara Bento, i3S

Bacterial growth phase influences intracellular replication, host response, and antibiotic sensitivity in non-tuberculous

16:30-17:15

Tiago Beites

Mycobacterium tuberculosis metabolic adaptations to host lipid-rich environments

17:15-17:25

Closing Session

17:25-19:00

Awards Session & Porto d’Honra

Speakers

Organizing Committee

Venue

i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto

Rua Alfredo Allen 208
4200-135, Porto

GPS: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W

How to get to i3S

The subway is the easiest way to get to the i3S, because there is a subway stop (Pólo Universitário) just next to it (<1 min walk).

From the Francisco Sá Carneiro airport — Subway: take line E (direction: Estádio do Dragão) and get out at Trindade station. Change to line D (direction: Hospital São João) and get out at Pólo Universitário station.

From Campanhã train station —Subway all lines are possible (A, B, C, E and F). Get out at Trindade station and then change to line D (direction: Hospital São João) and get out at Pólo Universitário station.

From São Bento train station — Subway: take line D (direction: Hospital São João) and get out at Pólo Universitário station.