Infectious Diseases: Past, Present, and Future

Conference Overview

An astronomical number of microbes live in and on our bodies. They are normally harmless and help our body perform vital tasks, but some can cause disease, spread from person to person, and even result in full-blown epidemics. Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that infiltrate the body’s natural barriers and multiply to produce illnesses, which can range from mild to deadly. Although progress has been made to treat many infectious diseases, humankind is constantly vulnerable to a wide array of both resurgent and new microorganisms.
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The main aim of Science and Society meetings is to present important areas of life science research in a manner accessible to all, and to promote reflection on their implications. At the same time, they should facilitate a broad dialogue between biologists, behavioral and social scientists, students of all disciplines, and members of the public.

Session Topics

Epidemics in human history

Influenza and viral epidemics

Antimicrobial resistance

Vaccines: Public perceptions and misconceptions

Public health and diseases of poverty

Pandemics and biosecurity

For more information about previous meetings in this series please check
the Science and Society Website.