Please join us in Melbourne, Australia from 8-10 September 2025 for the 15th Global Microbial Identifier Conference (GMI15). This event unites international scientific experts and policy makers working in the field of pathogen genomics in order to discuss solutions and drive change in equitable genomics implementation and data sharing.
GMI15 is hosted by The Centre for Pathogen Genomics at The University of Melbourne. The event is convened by A/Prof Torsten Seemann, a global expert in bioinformatics, renowned for his expertise in microbial genomics and the development of widely-used bioinformatics software.
Key Themes include:
On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is our pleasure to invite you to the upcoming Global Microbial Identifier GMI 14 in Barcelona on 4, 5 and 6 September. This scientific event, to be held in the vibrant city of Barcelona, promises to be an unparalleled gathering of global scientific minds.
This year we will include topics covered in Vancouver (GMI13) such as data harmonisation, data sharing, but we will also reassess the WG and introduce challenging topics: AI, the economic impact of WGS, equitable data sharing, a breakout session with stakeholders including industry, and discussions on political and cultural barriers.
As leaders in your respective fields, your expertise and insights will be invaluable to the dialogue and exchange of ideas that will characterise this conference. We cordially invite you to register for the conference and participate in the discussions, presentations and networking opportunities that will undoubtedly contribute to and promote the advancement of genomics research and innovation.
In addition to the enriching scientific programme, we encourage you to take advantage of your time in Barcelona to explore its rich cultural heritage, which offers a wealth of opportunities for cultural immersion and leisure activities.
We are confident that your participation in GMI14 will be not only professionally rewarding, but also an unforgettable experience in one of Europe's most dynamic cities.
If you are interested in making a reservation at the UAB University Hotel (the closest place to the conference at the best prices), please note that due to the limited number of rooms, reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
We look forward to welcoming you to Barcelona and to the stimulating exchange of ideas and knowledge that awaits you at the conference.
The Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) envisions a global, real-time system for matching microbial strains through the sharing of microbial genomic data and minimal metadata to facilitate infectious disease surveillance, food safety regulation, biodiversity monitoring, outbreak investigations, as well as research and innovation. Critical to achieving that goal is the ability of different organizations to share sequence and contextual data quickly with each other and with a centralized repository (i.e. INSDC). Given the sensitivity of certain types of contextual data, the array of technologies available, variable national policies and diverse organizational mandates involved in genomics data sharing, GMI must work towards building an ecosystem of different interconnected working parts - with an emphasis on open source software and workflows, reproducible analyses, data standards, accessible/deployable laboratory assays and portable bioinformatics applications. Partners in the ecosystem must have agency to participate in the way that they choose, and GMI must work with partners to build trust and capacity in sequencing, bioinformatics and data sharing.
GMI13 will focus on reassessing strategies and milestones for realizing a data sharing ecosystem. Themes will include i) technical mechanisms and data standards for enabling interoperability, reproducibility, and comparability of results; and ii) frameworks for building trust and equitable benefit sharing.
Goals include:
The Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) is an international consortium of more than 270 scientists in 55 countries galvanized by a single focus: realizing a global genomic infrastructure and database that will enable revolutionary new technology to identify and characterize microorganisms in a timely (minutes to hours) fashion through utilising an international interactive system of DNA databases containing the full genomes of all investigated microbial isolates in the world.
The 12th meeting of Global Microbial Identifier was held 12-14 June 2019, Singapore.
The 12th international meeting was held in Singapore, together with Nanyang Technological University.
Hosted together with Nanyang Technological University Food Technology Centre (NAFTEC), the 3-day event (12th-14th June) focused on existing and current trending themes relating to the use of next generation sequencing (NSG) in clinical, public health, food virology, and microbiology as presented by international experts and as interactive discussions welcoming participant involvement.
The GMI11 meeting is a Technical Meeting on the impact of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on Global Health and Microbiology within a One Health Framework and is being organised by WHO and the GMI Steering Committee.
The meeting was held at the Centre International de Conferences (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland, 16-18 May 2018.
GMI11 was hosted by WHO in Geneva, Switzerland, the week before the World Health Assembly. The GMI11 meeting dates were 16-18 May 2018.
The GMI10 meeting is a Technical Meeting on the impact of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on food safety management within a One Health Framework and is being organised by Inoqoutech and the GMI Steering Committee.
The meeting was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S.; Mexico, 15-17 May 2017.
This meeting was the first GMI meeting held in Latin America and was a great opportunity to expand GMI contacts into this region. The meeting represented the GMI drive towards a global debate about the future use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in support of microbiology, synergy of food industry, public health, and the environment combined.
The meeting also reached out to scientists, regulators and relevant industries in developing countries, and raised awareness about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in countries where public health and microbiological labs are developing rapidly.
The GMI9 meeting is a Technical Meeting on the impact of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on food safety management within a One Health Framework and was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the GMI Steering Committee. The meeting was held at the FAO headquarters in Rome on 23-25 May 2016.
Following the successful format of GMI8, GMI9 replicated the format of the meeting that consists of two parts:
A one-day meeting, organized by FAO and targeting food safety managers and assessors around the world to exchange information on the impact of WGS/NGS on food safety management, for consumer protection, trade facilitation and food security. Specific considerations will be given to the potential benefits and impacts of WGS in developing countries, with burgeoning food safety systems and limited resources.
The traditional two-day event that includes five GMI working groups, presentations by international experts and interactive discussions. The meeting aims to examine the state-of-the art of next-generation genomics, review GMI objectives and strategy and support international harmonization of the efforts to use WGS data to build and integrate global databases.
Purpose
The first part of the meeting provided a unique opportunity for participants to understand the current applications as well as the impact of WGS on food safety management. The technologies could contribute to the eventual goal in consumer protection, trade facilitation and food security. Learning from the already existing initiatives in food and agriculture sectors, the meeting discussed the needs, opportunities and challenges.
During the second part of the meeting (GMI9), participants benefited from the GMI initiative and participated in the process to develop a global system of DNA genome databases for microbial and infectious disease identification and diagnostics.
The first part of the meeting benefited those who are in the regulatory settings (national food safety managers/assessors and government officials) as well as other stakeholders (NGOs, industries, academia, and policy makers) and the second part of the meeting benefited those who are tackling individual problems at the frontline (clinicians, food microbiologists, veterinarians, etc.).
These meetings were primarily for collaboration and integration across various sectors and international borders.
GMI 8 is being organised by the China CDC and the GMI Steering Committee. The meeting will be held at the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel in Beijing 11-13 May 2015.
Going global
This meeting is the first GMI global meeting outside Europe and North America. The meeting represents the GMI drive towards a global debate about the future use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in support of microbiology, public health and one health.
The meeting is also an attempt to reach out to scientists, regulators and relevant industries in developing countries, in recognition of the potential specific benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in countries, where public health and microbiological labs are under rapid development.
A new format
In order to spread the knowledge and experience in this area to a broader audience this meeting will consist of two parts:
A one-day scientific seminar presenting the newest scientific achievement in the NGS and WGS areas, including an overview of the potential for public health and one health improvements for epidemic and endemic human and animal disease.
The traditional two-day event will include continuing business of the five GMI working groups, presentations by international experts and a poster session. The meeting aims to examine the state-of-the art of next-generation genomics, review GMI objectives and strategy and support international harmonization of the efforts to use WGS data to build and integrate global databases.
Purpose
The meeting provides a unique opportunity to join the GMI initiative and drive its strategy to develop a global system of DNA genome databases for microbial and infectious disease identification and diagnostics. The meeting will benefit those tackling individual problems at the frontline (clinicians, food microbiologists, veterinarians, etc.) as well as other stakeholders, i.e. policy-makers, regulators, industry, etc.
The purpose of the meeting is to determine a path forward for how to establish a globally distributed system and follow up on the previous GMI meetings. These meetings are primarily for collaboration and integration across international borders.
GMI 7 is being organised by the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), UK, on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), UK and the GMI Steering Committee. The meeting will be held at Sand Hutton, York, UK on the 11-12 September 2014.
The two-day event will include continuing business of the five GMI working groups, presentations by international experts, posters and an exhibition, and aims to examine the state-of-the art of next-generation genomics, data storage, ring trials, pilot projects and associated political challenges; review GMI objectives and strategy, catalyse integration across international borders and harmonise the amalgamation of scientific efforts of academia, government and industry.
The meeting provides a unique opportunity to join the GMI initiative and drive its strategy to develop a global system of DNA genome databases for microbial and infectious disease identification and diagnostics. The meeting will benefit those tackling individual problems at the frontline (clinicians, food microbiologists, veterinarians, etc.) as well as other stakeholders, i.e. policy-makers, regulators, industry, etc. International participants from academia, government and industry will have ample opportunities to network with exhibitors and sponsors throughout the meeting.
The 6th Meeting on GLobal Microbial Identifier is organized by GMI/US Food & Drug Administration/UC Davis 100k pathogen genome project, and held on 9-10 September 2013, at Walter A. Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, UC Davis Campus, in Sacramento, California.
Purpose
The purpose of the meeting is to determine a path forward for how to establish a globally distributed system and follow up on the previous GMI meetings. These meetings are primarily for collaboration and integration across international borders.
Discussions
Discussions will focus on solutions to questions and challenges surrounding the deployment of next-generation genomic typing tools for public health and clinical disease cluster detection on a global scale. Specific topics for discussion will include: the working groups defined in earlier meetings; Political and financial challenges, Repository and storage of data, Analytical approaches, Ring trials and QA/QC and Pilot projects. Intermixed with the working groups reporting and updating a few examples will be presented on advances in the field since our last meeting in Copenhagen DK. Detailed instructions for breakout discussions will be provided prior to the meeting.
Expected outcome
A series of updated road map statements focused on establishing a global disease outbreak detection system using a worldwide network of shared genomic information for bacterial, viral, and parasitic microorganisms AND a commitment from various institutions for working together on developing such a database. Progress from the various committees will be reported, and a revised strategic plan will be drafted and presented. Governance strategies for the GMI also will be discussed.
On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI), the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark invites to the 5th meeting under the initiative. The meeting is held 27-28 February 2013, at the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
GMI focuses on the use of genome sequencing techniques in a global system for microbiological identification and epidemiological surveillance. The meeting is held in Copenhagen, Denmark, 27-28 February 2013. The aim of the meeting is to develop an overall roadmap, including a three-year action plan, as well as to share important updates related to the technology.
The objectives of GMI are to develop global solutions to challenges surrounding the deployment of next-generation genomic typing tools with the purpose of creating a global system for microbiological identification and epidemiological surveillance. Previous meetings under the initiative have concluded that the building of such a global system to aggregate, share, mine and translate genomic data for microorganisms in real time is a realistic goal. It is also generally agreed that such a system will enable significant national as well as international improvements in the capacity to address public health and clinical challenges.
Purpose and outcome
International subject matter experts have held four expert meetings in 2011 and 2012, involving more than 300 scientists from more than 25 countries. The 5th meeting focuses on the planning of the work to be conducted by the work groups of the initiative, and will also include a general part. All participants are expected to join one of these groups and to participate actively in the meeting:
The aim of the 5th meeting is to develop an overall roadmap, including a three-year action plan, as well as to share important updates related to the technology. The meeting will not include sections focused on how to conduct whole genome sequencing, and participants are generally expected to be theoretically acquainted with the technology.
Agenda overview
Disease Outbreak Detection in the Genomics Era: Global Road Map Meeting #3, a workshop organized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, and held on 24-25 September 2012, at NIH campus Lister Hill Center in Bethesda, MD, USA.
The purpose of the meeting is to determine a path forward for how to establish a globally distributed system and follow up on the three previous meetings: 1) Brussels, Belgium 2011, 2) NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA, 2011, and 3) Arlington, VA, USA, 2012.
The discussions will focus on solutions to questions and challenges surrounding the deployment of next-generation genomic typing tools for public health and clinical disease cluster detection on a global scale. Specific topics for discussion will include: (i) implementing metadata requirements for clinical and outbreak isolates; (ii) computer resources/tools required for a global genome-based disease detection network; (iii) standards for bacterial identification and clustering; (iv) policy challenges (political, legal, and global health diplomacy) to sharing data on a global scale; (v) lessons learned regarding clinical utility and rapid detection; (vii) strategic sequencing targets and proof-of-concept case studies; and (vii) industry contributions toward a global genomic network. Detailed instructions for breakout discussions will be provided prior to the meeting.
Disease outbreak detection in the genomic era: A roadmap forward, a workshop organized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, and held on 1-2 March 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA.
The purpose of the meeting is (i) To provide an expanded follow-up to the 2011 Brussels meeting and debate the short and long term obstacles and solutions for a global system for identification of microorganisms based on genomic information. (ii) To provide an overview of ongoing initiatives and discuss how global collaboration can be achieved. (iii) To determine a path forward for how to establish a globally distributed system.
The meeting will focus on solutions to questions and challenges surrounding the deployment of next-generation genomic typing tools for public health and clinical disease cluster detection on a global scale. Specific questions to be answered from this collection of worldwide experts in the field may include: (i) appropriate metadata attached to genome data submissions; (ii) available computer resources/tools required to implement and execute a global genome-based disease detection network; (iii) data types and categories to be included for databasing and analysis; (iv) political and legal impediments for the sharing of genomic data; and (v) data formatting for point-of-care clinical utility and public health.
NCBI Rapid Analysis of Microbes Workshop - a joint NCBI /FDA one-day workshop organized by the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN/FDA), and held on 26 October 2011, at Lister Hill Center (NIH Bethesda, Maryland campus), in Maryland, USA.
This workshop includes a community of researchers investigating pathogenic prokaryotes and will highlight the current capabilities and generate a discussion on the reguirements for the rapid analysis and trace back of prokaryotic pathogens to support public health: what current resources including databases and analytic tools exist at NCBI or externally what ressources can be shared, what resources may need to be developed, what standards such as biological metadata are required or need to be developed in order to facilitate the rapid sequence, annotation, and analysis of pathogens during outbreaks that will enable scientist to rapidly react and potentially deal with biological threats in real time.
Perspectives of a global, real-time microbiological genomic identification system - implications for national and global detection and control of infectious diseases. Expert meeting organized by the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, and held on 1-2 September 2011, in Bruxelles, Belgium.
The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, is organizing an expert meeting on microbiological genomic identification systems 1-2 September 2011 in Bruxelles, Belgium.
The purpose of the meeting is to assemble a group of imminent scientists and managers to debate the necessity, feasibility, benefits and broader governance requirements of a global system for identification of microorganisms based on genomic information.
GMI16 registration is open. Join scientists, public health professionals, veterinarians, food safety experts, environmental specialists, policy makers and industry partners in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 16th Global Microbial Identifier Conference on 24–25 September 2026.
Register nowGlobal Microbial Identifier is an open community of passionate One Health professionals advancing microbial genomic surveillance and promoting microbial data sharing to create common benefits for all.
Save the date for the 16th Global Microbial Identifier Conference (GMI16), taking place on September 24–25, 2026, in Tunis, Tunisia.
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