LEMEx at the 10th Polar and Alpine Microbiology Conference in Copenhagen

Between January 12 and 16, 2026, PhD student Alanna Maylle Cararo Luiz represented the Laboratory of Microbial Ecology of Extreme Environments (LEMEx) at the 10th Polar and Alpine Microbiology Conference (10th PAM) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The conference is one of the main global forums on polar and alpine microbiology, bringing together researchers to discuss microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, environmental virology, and how extremophiles respond to global climate change.

Key highlights from the event include new connections for LEMEx research lines:

• Tatyana Vishnivetskaya (University of Tennessee, USA): Discussions on microbial diversity and adaptation in frozen soils (permafrost and Antarctic soils), setting the stage for collaborative work on cold-adapted microbes.
• Ella Tali Sieradzki (Department of Agroecology, Plant Pathology and Microbiology): Methodological exchanges on sampling and extracting viral DNA/RNA from soil, directly supporting upcoming Antarctic virology projects at LEMEx.
• Interdisciplinary Connections: Exchanges with researchers such as Tilly Woods (LMU Munich), focused on mathematical modeling in microbial ecology, and Igor Pessi (Finnish Environment Institute), an expert in polar microbial communities.

Beyond the scientific program, the conference also provided an opportunity to experience Copenhagen, a city recognized for its rich cultural heritage, historic architecture, and strong commitment to sustainability. Known for its extensive cycling infrastructure, efficient public transportation, green spaces, and integration of modern urban planning with its historic character, Copenhagen provided an appropriate setting for an international conference focused on polar environments and climate change.

Attending the 10th PAM strengthens LEMEx’s international network and brings home valuable protocols for our ongoing research projects.