Evolutionary research on microbes tends to adopt either one of two strategies; experimental evolution (EE) in the laboratory or studying variation within natural populations. Microbes are highly amenable to experimental evolution, and this approach has successfully addressed a broad range of questions, including adaptive dynamics, the repeatability of evolution, social interactions, and the distribution of fitness effects. Whole-genome sequencing of large samples from wild populations are similarly underpinning rapid advances in understanding how genome dynamics (such as the role of horizontal gene transfer and the pan-genome) underpin adaptation and ecological interactions. These two perspectives should, in principal, provide mutual reinforcement, as each addresses the potential weaknesses of the other; EE studies offer a controlled but artificial environment, whereas studies on natural populations are inherently more complex yet more realistic. This meeting will aim to bridge the gap between these approaches and build upon synergies and reciprocal benefits. The meeting will include a session on ‘Big Data’ analysis and microbial genomics supported by MRC CLIMB (Cloud Infrastructure for Microbial bioinformatics).

   Borgos Resort, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

      Borgos Resort is located within close proximity of Kohora entrance gate of Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Park is well connected with to different airports of Assam: Jorhat Airport at Rowriah (92 kilometres away), Tezpur Airport at Salonibari (approx 85 kilometres away), and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (approximately 259 kilometres away) are the nearby airports. Kaziranga is also well connected to different cities over road network.

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