Dear Friends, Dear Colleagues,

The 18^th Congress of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) will be held in Florence (Italy) on October 23-25, 2024. The meeting, which will take place in one of the most beautiful cities of the world, will be a unique opportunity to bring together scientists working on Bacteriology, Virology, and Mycology worldwide, to share and discuss the most recent advances and future perspectives in microbiology.

The topics that will be discussed include microbial genetics, molecular biology, gene regulation, proteomics, and the applied aspects of microbiology, including biotechnology, clinical, medical, industrial, and environmental applications.

In addition, the 2024 IUMS meeting will be an opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of microbes for the society and for the planet by discussing how we can actively work together to promote sustainable solutions to preserve microbial diversity and maximize global well-being. Special attention will be provided to facilitate the participation of young people.

We hope you will be able to join us for what will be an exceptional meeting!