ASM Launches Bioinformatics, Genomics & Big Data Conference

ASM Launches Bioinformatics, Genomics & Big Data Conference

Oct. 7, 2025

Washington, D.C.-The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is proud to announce the launch of a new scientific meeting, the ASM Bioinformatics, Genomics and Big Data Conference (ASM BIG). This new meeting reflects the evolution of ASM's former Conference on Rapid Applied Microbial Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatic Pipelines (ASM NGS) into a broader, more collaborative and application-driven gathering. ASM BIG marks a new chapter in convening the bioinformatics, genomics and big data community, offering a platform to drive discovery in the era of data-intensive microbiology.

The shift from ASM NGS to ASM BIG mirrors the rapid transformation of microbial sciences, where the challenge is no longer just sequencing data-it is making sense of it, managing it and applying it to solve real-world problems. ASM BIG expands the scope beyond sequencing technology and bioinformatic pipelines to encompass the entire data-driven ecosystem, bringing together a wider and more interdisciplinary audience.

"ASM BIG recognizes that the microbial sciences are experiencing a data revolution," said Todd J. Treangen, Ph.D., associate professor at Rice University and Chair of the ASM BIG Program Committee. "Our goal is to convene the researchers, clinicians and data experts who are not only generating microbial data, but also transforming it into scientific advances that address global challenges."

ASM BIG will go beyond sequencing to address the full continuum of data-how it is generated, managed, analyzed and translated into solutions. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration by creating a space where data producers, tool developers and end-users can engage directly. Attendees will explore cutting-edge topics, such as microbial genome analysis, metagenomics, computational pipelines, data infrastructure and integrative approaches, linking genotype to phenotype across ecosystems.

"This rebrand doesn't erase the rich history of ASM NGS-it builds on it. The NGS revolution laid the foundation for the big microbial datasets now in our databases," said Julie Dunning Hotopp, Ph.D., professor at the Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Vice Chair of the ASM BIG Program Committee. "Today, microbial science extends well beyond NGS, and we want the name to reflect the current scope-from long reads and single-cell approaches to integrated multi-omics, while also embracing the rise of AI and its reliance on large-scale data."

The program will highlight advances in environmental microbiomes, industrial applications, infectious disease monitoring and public health response. Whether decoding genomes, designing analytical workflows or applying genomic insights to diagnostics, ASM BIG offers a unique platform to learn, share and collaborate. Attendees will gain access to comprehensive scientific programming, professional training and networking opportunities that foster innovation and responsible data use.

The inaugural ASM BIG will take place Oct. 11-14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Additional details on the scientific program will be announced in January 2026.

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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 38,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.

ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.