09h15 | Keynote Speaker
Charles Rice, Rockefeller University

10h00-10h30 | Coffee Break

Micro: Engineering Session
How can we re-design life?
This session explores the power of synthetic biology and engineered microbes to improve health of humans, animals and the environment; e.g. build new biomaterials and new biotherapeutics, engineer artificial ecosystems that can sense, clean and repair natural ecosystems, thus reshaping industry, sustainability and the concept of creativity.
Chair: Isabel Gordo (GIMM) and Maria João Amorim (Católica Medical School, Católica Biomedical Research Centre)

10h30 | Jeffery Barrick, Michigan State University

11h00 | Carolina Tropini, University of British Columbia

11h30 | Joy Bergelson, New York University

12h00 | Matthew Chang, National University of Singapore

12h30-13h30 | Lunch & Meet the Speakers Session (only with registration). More information here.

13h30 | Round Table Session – Questions of the Future: Micro: Engineering
Jeffery Barrick, Carolina Tropini, Joy Bergelson and Matthew Chang
Chair: Emily White, Nature Microbiology

14h15-14h45 | Selected Micro Talks
Brittany Needham, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
Natalia Rzepka, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw
Jérôme Benedetti, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Judy (Jingdi) Li, University of British Columbia
H. Julia van Duijnhoven, CCMAR, Portugal

14h45-17h00 | Poster Session

17h00 | Round Table Session – Questions of the Future: Micro: Society
Francisco Garcia Morales (Val d’Hebron Hospital Campus), Rita Sá Machado (Director-General of Health), António Roldão (iBET) and Marta Entradas (ISCTE-IUL and London School of Economics)
Chair: Miguel Prudêncio, GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine

18h20 | Wrap Up Session
Maria Mota, CEO of GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine

18h50 | Cocktail

12h00 | CaixaForum+ – “Planet Microbe” Documentary Series – Microbes Episode
They are on our hands, in the air, on our clothes, in the water – even in places where we assume there is nothing. And what’s more, there are many, many, many of them. There are so many that they make up 90% of our planet’s biodiversity, and their combined mass exceeds that of all other living beings that inhabit it. They are microbes.
This activity is supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation.
GIMM Lounge

13h00 | CaixaForum+ – “Planet Microbe” Documentary Series – Eatable Microbes Episode
All microbes are living organisms, and as such, they are, in one way or another, edible. Sausages, bread, yogurt, cheese, dietary supplements… Perhaps the question isn’t just whether microbes are edible, but also whether we could survive without them.
This activity is supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation.
GIMM Lounge

14h00-14h30 | Opening Session: Let’s rewrite the questions of the future together. Welcome to GIMM Fest.
Maria Mota (CEO of GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine)
Auditorium

14h30-15h30 | “Consulta Aberta” Podcast – Tiny humans, tiny microbes, big questions
Margarida Santos (SIC) and Patrícia Costa Reis (GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria)
Auditorium

15h30-16h00 | Microbes and the questions we haven’t asked yet
Ana Santos Almeida (GIMM CARE, Lisbon School of Medicine) and Cristóvão Sousa (GIMM CARE)
Chair: Inês Domingues, GIMM
Auditorium

16h00-17h00 | How can humor help fight misinformation?
Fábio Porchat and Bruno Silva-Santos (GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine)
Moderator: Ana Markl
Auditorium

17h00-18h00 | Can microbes make food more delicious?
Chef Alexandre Silva and Isabel Gordo (GIMM)
Moderator: Ana Peneda Moreira, SIC
Auditorium

18h00-19h00 | From Treatment to Elimination: Are We Eradicating Hepatitis C? — Presented by Hovione.
Charles Rice (Rockefeller University), Filipe Gaspar (Hovione), Paula Peixe (Associação Portuguesa para o Estudo do Fígado (APEF) and Ricardo Fernandes (GAT – Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos)
Chair: Sara Sá, GIMM
Auditorium

19h00 | Closing Session
Maria Mota (CEO of GIMM, Lisbon School of Medicine)
Auditorium

What questions do you have about the future of microbes? Are they the same as everyone else’s?
Through Beyond GIMM, our interactive AI-powered platform, your questions will become part of a collective exploration – visualizing the future of microbes in a dynamic, thought-provoking experience.

Create your own microbe and take it with you
In this creative workshop, children can choose a microbe, discover what makes it special and turn it into a personalised pin. Through drawings, colours and scientific curiosities, participants get to know some of the microorganisms that inhabit our world and take home a small piece of science.

Microbe Hunt – A claw machine full of invisible surprises
In this prize machine, science becomes part of the game. Children can try to catch a mystery ball: some contain mini-microscopes, while others reveal fun facts about microbes. A playful activity that brings together luck, discovery and the magic of observing the invisible world up close.

Science on the Walls
This social intervention project started in Cova da Moura taps the power of urban art to bring together researchers and artists and to build bridges across communities. This year’s theme is health, focusing on food and movement.
Come and collaborate on our interactive activity, translating exciting research into graffiti art via a broken telephone! Pass the scientific message from the scientists to the street artists.
Artists: Moami, Virus and Manoel Quiteiro
Scientists: Ariana Pina (Champalimaud Foundation), Mario Torralba (CIBIO) and Margarida Brotas (NMS)
Hosts: Benilde Pondeca (Science on the Walls) and Beatriz Sousa
Helpers: Andreia Pinho and Arina Dygay

Control the Epidemic – Can you stop a virus from spreading?
In this game, a virus spreads through the population. Your mission is to control the epidemic. What will be the most appropriate method? Discover how vaccines can help make that happen!
This activity was developed and will be run by Ciência Viva / Pavilhão do Conhecimento.

Space Bears – Could tardigrades survive on other planets?
Known as “water bears”, tardigrades are microscopic organisms famous for their extraordinary resilience. In this activity, participants observe tardigrades under the microscope and explore different environments across the Solar System, connecting extreme conditions with the remarkable survival abilities of these and other extremophile organisms.
This activity was developed and will be run by Ciência Viva / Pavilhão do Conhecimento.

Microcosmos: the invisible life in water – Discover the microscopic world inside a drop of water
Water is full of life we cannot see with the naked eye. In this activity, participants observe phyto- and zooplankton samples under the microscope, identify different organisms and discover their adaptations to life in the water column. The experience also includes the analysis of parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen, showing how water chemistry is connected to microscopic biodiversity.
This activity was developed and will be run by Ciência Viva / Pavilhão do Conhecimento.

Clinical trial: In search of new treatments against microbes – How is a new medicine born?
In this workshop, children simulate a clinical trial to approve a new antibiotic. Divided into groups with different roles – doctor, nurse and patient – they follow the key steps of a clinical study and discover why clinical trials are essential for developing safe and effective medicines.
This activity was developed and will be run by Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca.

Epidemic Detectives – Solve cases like an epidemiologist
How do we find the source of an outbreak? In this interactive activity, participants step into the role of epidemiologists and investigate four cases inspired by common infections. Through play, they identify transmission routes, prevention measures and the importance of simple actions – such as handwashing and vaccination – in protecting public health.
This activity was developed and will be run by Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca.

Microrave – Dance like a microbe
Microrave is an immersive experience where science, music and movement come together. Inside a disco-inspired booth, participants symbolically become microbes in motion, surrounded by lights, sound and visuals. Their dance is captured and projected in real time onto an outside screen, mixed with real images of microorganisms, creating a visual parallel between human behaviour and the microscopic world.

Memory Quest – Find the pairs and discover the microbes
In this interactive memory game, participants must match identical microbes on an LED wall. Every time they connect two matching microorganisms, they unlock a scientific curiosity about that microbe. A fun and visual way to train memory while discovering the diversity of the invisible world.

Come and discover bacteria that glow in the dark!
In this activity, you will have the opportunity to observe plates containing the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi, which produces a blue light when many cells gather together. We will explain how these bacteria communicate with one another to estimate their numbers and coordinate light production, a natural phenomenon that helps them live in partnership with other marine animals.

Fermentation Market – Where microbes become flavour
The Fermentation Market is a dedicated space where visitors can explore the role of microbes in food production. Through tastings, demonstrations and conversations with producers and scientists, visitors will discover how fermentation transforms ingredients, creates flavour and connects science with everyday foods.
Brands and producers whose products rely on microbial processes will take part, offering a hands-on journey through the delicious side of the microbial world.Nestlé I Love Kéfir, Central de Cervejas, Gleba and SÕSU KOMBUCHA will be present at the Fermentation Market.