IBMS Congress 2025

Global warming and the creep of arboviruses

9am – 9.30am BST, 23 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

The Ebola pandemic – 10 year anniversay experiences and reflections from the frontline

9.30am – 10am BST, 23 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Speakers

Stephen Kidd

Principal Clinical Scientist, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Respiratory pandemic preparedness

10.30am – 11am BST, 23 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will understand:

• The significant amount of work in the background that supports assay roll-out and service stand up during responses to epidemics and pandemics.
• The role of the UKHSA Diagnostic Accelerator Unit in preparedness
• The importance of pandemic preparedness building on lessons learned from previous responses 

Assessing the risk of H5N1 emergence

11am – 11.30am BST, 23 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

• Understanding of  the virology of H5N1 Influenza A and strain variation
• Insight into the factors associated with pathogenesis in H5N1 infection
• Assessment of current risk to humans and animals from H5N1 influenza A

Knock on effects of the Pandemic: Influenzas and respiratory viruses

11.30am – 12pm BST, 23 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

This presentation will:

• Give an overview of the changes made to laboratory practice during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate testing for SARS-CoV-2
• Outline adaptations to laboratory service coming out of the initial phase of the pandemic
• Discuss how the laboratory service has responded to variations in the epidemiology/ seasonality of  other infectious diseases  which occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic

Learning outcomes

The COVID 2019 pandemic had significant and long lasting impact on a global scale. Through this discussion delegates will explore the impacts seen in a NHS virology laboratory, and considerations for the future of staff, workflow and budgets.

Green labs in virology

9am – 9.30am BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

Sustainability quality & disposal of virology samples

9.30am – 10am BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Measles – outbreak epidemiology in West Midlands

10.30am – 11am BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning Outcomes

This presentation will:

• Highlight the measles outbreak activity in West Midlands during the outbreak incident 2023-24
• Highlight the collaborative nature of working between laboratories and other Public health teams and stakeholders especially field services and Health Protection teams
• Outline how biomedical scientist roles can contribute to such incidents 

Measles – assay assurance

11am – 11.30am BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will:

• Understand the role and remit of PDAG
• Gain knowledge on assurance work undertaken during the measles outbreak incident 2023-24 and how that information is used
• Learn about other key areas of virology assay assurance being undertaken, including Influenza 

Measles immunisation – challenges & issues

11.30am – 12pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

Opportunities and challenges of bacteriophage applications

2pm – 2.30pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will gain:

• An overview of the different phage therapy approaches
• An overview of the use of phage as a diagnostic tool
• An understanding of the current legislative framework surrounding different phage applications
• An understanding of the requirements needed for the development of commercial phage-based products

Nature’s Nano-Ninjas: Bacteriophage biocontrol in veterinary medicine

2.30pm – 3pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will:

• Describe key qualities of bacteriophage which are suitable for therapeutic applications.
• Discuss the current regulatory environment for bacteriophage use in veterinary medicine in the UK/EU.
• Summarise the main uses of bacteriophage biocontrol in veterinary contexts.
• Outline the main scientific and technical barriers to a wider adoption of bacteriophage biocontrol.

Clinical phage therapy in the UK

3pm – 3.30pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

This presentation will cover:

• What is phage therapy?
• Introducing the UKHSA Clinical Phage Service
• Introducing clinical phage diagnostics
• The future of clinical phage therapy in biomedical science

Double jaundice

4pm – 4.30pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will gain knowledge on:

• Differential diagnosis of jaundice in children.
• The use of multidisciplinary tests for diagnosis.
• Alerting external bodies with significant findings    

HSD case studies

4.30pm – 5pm BST, 24 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

Learning outcomes

Metagenomics to diagnose encephalitis

9am – 9.30am BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Speakers

Dr Julianne Brown

Principal Clinical Scientist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

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Pathogen metagenomics for the diagnosis of respiratory infection in critical illness

9.30am – 10am BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Emerging technologies

10.30am – 11am BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Abstract

AI in clinical epidemiology

11am – 11.30am BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

Learning outcomes

Interpretive software

11.30am – 12pm BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Abstract

Meet the Experts: Virology

12.45pm – 2pm BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 1 hour 15 mins

Virology

High-risk groups & sexual health

2pm – 2.30pm BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding High-Risk Groups
• Key Prevention Strategies
• Importance of a Holistic Approach

Diagnostic dilemmas in STDs, pre-exposure prophylaxis

2.30pm – 3pm BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will understand the:

• Challenges in diagnosing STDs
• Role and challenges of PrEP
• Integration of diagnostics with prevention

Novel approach to offering blood-borne virus testing within community outreach

3pm – 3.30pm BST, 25 September 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Virology

Learning outcomes

Delegates will learn:

• Benefits of innovation and adapting services to meet patient needs
• The value of sharing learning
• The patient perspective    

Speakers

Louise Hansford

Hep C Elimination Coordinator, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

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