The experts from all areas of microbiology will be at the event to discuss why E. coli O157 continues to pose a big problem in food borne diseases. They will also discuss what can be done to clean up contaminated land and how to combat growing antibiotic resistance.

From the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases to the production of beer, cheese and bread or cleaning up pollution, microbes have an important part to play, stated Hugh Pennington, president of the Society for General Microbiology, which organised the meeting.

"We need microbiologists," he stated. "It used to be said that antibiotics would make microbiologists redundant. How wrong! E. coli O157, foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza have proved the reverse to be true."

He noted that while the dangerous aspects of microbes were well known by the public, the essential roles they play in keeping the nutrient cycles of the planet turning is less well documented.

"Microbes are necessary to protect the environment and microbiologists can help to solve many of our most difficult environmental problems," he stated.

There are over 240 companies active in bioscience in Wales, employing 15,000 people in research, development and manufacture.

The Society for General Microbiology has about 5,000 members world-wide. The organisation provides a common meeting ground for scientists

working in research and in fields with applications in microbiology including medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals, industry, agriculture, food, the environment and education.