The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will host “Microbial Communities in Health and Disease” on Oct. 15 to 16. The symposium, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and School of Arts & Sciences, will explore how bacteria, parasites, viruses and other organisms interact with their animal and human hosts in ways that either maintain health or lead to disease. The two-day symposium will begin with a public event—a discussion with science writer Carl Zimmer on Oct. 15 at The Inn at Penn. Zimmer, a New York Times columnist, will discuss “A Planet of Viruses: How Humans Can Live Safely on a Viral World.” Presentations for the scientific community will take place at Penn Vet’s Hill Pavilion on Oct. 16. Eight scientists will discuss cutting-edge work investigating how microbes not only cause disease, but also how “good bugs” promote health. The event is made possible in part by the Provost Interdisciplinary Seminar Fund Award and exemplifies the One Health Initiative, according to Penn Vet. The One Health Initiative is dedicated to improving the lives of all species through the integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental science. Admission is free for both events but registration is required. For the Oct. 15 event, visit this website. For the Oct. 16 presentations, visit this website.
