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About the Conference

Microbes regulate vital ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, soil fertility, and atmospheric balance. In the human body, the microbiome shapes immune function, disease resistance, and overall well-being. However, disruptions in microbial networks—triggered by climate change, pollution, antibiotic misuse, or land-use changes—can lead to serious ecological imbalances. These, in turn, may manifest as rising antimicrobial resistance, the emergence of pandemics, or reduced agricultural productivity, ultimately threatening the stability of ecosystem services.
The international conference on "Microbial Networks and Planetary Health: A Systems Approach to One Health" aims to bring together scientists, healthcare professionals, environmental experts, and policy-makers to explore the interconnected roles of microbes in human, animal, and environmental health. Anchored in the One Health paradigm, the conference emphasizes the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration to understand the intrinsic links between ecosystems, microbial communities, and global health outcomes.
Adopting a systems approach is essential to grasp the complexity of microbial interactions across biological and environmental scales. Multilateral and interdisciplinary collaborations are key to integrating data, advancing knowledge, and designing sustainable solutions that protect both public and planetary health. This conference provides a vital platform to foster such partnerships and drive forward transformative research, policy, and innovation grounded in microbial ecology and One Health thinking.

Conference Themes

  • Microbiome & Health
  • Environmental Microbiome
  • Plant-Microbe Interactions
  • Natural Products
  • Genomic & Systems Approaches
  • Microbial Diagnostics
  • Marine & Soil Microbiology
  • Microbial Adaptations
  • Pathogen Virulence
  • Antimicrobial Resistance


About the Workshop

Pre-Conference Workshop on Genome and Metagenome analysis using BV-BRC pipeline
Date & Time: 28th January 2026 – Morning Session
Location: Manipal School of Life Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal


This workshop is designed to teach participants how to analyze antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Centre (BV-BRC) pipeline, a comprehensive genome and metagenome database with associated workflows.

Key aspects of the workshop include:
  • Utilizing the BV-BRC Pipeline: Attendees will learn to leverage BV-BRC's database for genome and metagenome analysis, focusing on AMR resistance profiles and microbial community composition.
  • Data Analysis Examples: Two example datasets will be used to determine species composition and microbiome functional potential. Participants will identify key AMR genes in metagenomes and compare them statistically.
  • Exploring AMR Genes: Attendees will have the opportunity to explore other metagenomes within the database to profile AMR genes.
  • Functional Annotation: The workshop will demonstrate how to functionally annotate metagenomic and genomic data using the BV-BRC pipeline to determine the relative abundance and identity of AMR genes.
Scope of Application: The workshop offers an end-to-end data-to-figures pipeline for AMR analysis applicable to human, environmental samples, and clinical isolates.

Registration: Registration is free, but mandatory since only limited seats are available. Those interested have to register by sending an email to onehealthphg.msls@manipal.edu

Workshop conducted by: Dr. Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the School of Science, Western Sydney University, Australia


About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, is a self-financing higher educational institution established in 1953. In June 1993, it was declared as a Deemed to be University by the Govt. of India. Our excellent track record in academics, infrastructure, research contributions, and standing in the national and international rankings; culminated in us being declared as an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University (IoE) by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, in October 2020. MAHE is synonymous with excellence in higher education and excellence in research. MAHE is home to over 35,000 students from 60+ nations, 3000+ faculty, and 10000+ support and service staff; and offers 300+ programmes across various disciplines including Medicine, Engineering and Management, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Management, Life Sciences, Communication, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, etc. In NIRF ranking 2025, we are ranked the 3rd best University—14th in Overall category, 19th in Research and 5th in SDG ranking. We are also ranked in top 197 Universities in Asia in the QS University Rankings Asia and 201 – 250 ranking in Asia University Rankings and No. 1 rank in India as per UI Green Metric World University Ranking.


About Manipal School of Life Sciences

Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS) is one of the constituent institutions of MAHE and is well recognised for its research and teaching activities in the field of life sciences. MSLS nurtures students to pursue careers in various life sciences domains including Medical Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Genome Engineering, Tissue Engineering, and Biomolecular Physics. Since its inception in 2006, MSLS has trained students and researchers who have made a positive difference in the community globally. The School was identified as TIFAC-CORE (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council - Centres of Relevance and Excellence) under vision 2020 in Pharmacogenomics and received program support under DBT-Translational Research, DST-FIST, and DBT-BUILDER programs of the Government of India. MSLS is equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities under one umbrella and performs cutting edge research in diverse areas including molecular and cellular biology of cancer, epigenetics and signalling, pharmacogenomics and pharmacoepigenomics, autofluorescence and biophotonics in biomedical applications, breeding for enhanced agronomic traits, molecular and experimental neurobiology, microbial biotechnology, and the molecular genetics of human diseases, among others. MSLS regularly conducts international conferences and workshops to promote and inculcate research fervour amongst young minds.