Vertical Transmission, September 2007

Abstract

Having just returned from the Adelaide Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting I am full of enthusiasm for the future of the ASM. This was a very well attended meeting, with a program that served the diversity of our society well. The theme, ?Fermenting New Ideas?, was extremely apt. New ideas were expounded by the invited international speakers, the national speakers, proffered paper presenters and by the delegates themselves. The meeting certainly conveyed the sense of fermentation in the best possible way. I have nothing but accolades for the local organising committee (LOC) and the National Scientific Advisory Committee. The LOC was obviously a very committed, enthusiastic, hardworking and fun loving group. These attributes really showed in the meeting itself. There was a certain buzz that can only be the result of the extraordinary effort made by the LOC.