After repeated postponements, compelling a pause of two years now, we are very happy to tie in with the tradition of bi-annual multidisciplinary conferences on magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) with this meeting. It aims at convening all scientists working on these fascinating microorganisms worldwide and will cover a broad range of research topics. Diversity, ecology and evolution of MTB will be addressed, as well as (meta)genomic, molecular genetic and imaging approaches to study magnetotaxis and the biosynthesis, cell biology and function of magnetosome organelles. Biophysical, geophysical and biogeochemical aspects of magnetic biominerals represent another focus of the meeting. Finally, the range of topics extends also to synthetic biology and applications of MTB and magnetosomes in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine.

The program will consist of contributed talks and posters.

So far, conferences on magnetotactic bacteria took place at six different sites around the world – their spirit has always been an open atmosphere with ample time for discussion and interaction.