Early bird registration deadline is on 18 February 2026. The final date for registration is 15 March 2026.

Applicants will be informed of acceptance of their registration if possible, within two weeks after their registration, but at latest a day after the final registration date. They will then receive instructions for payment, a notice of acceptance and further course details.

After acceptance of your registration, the VLAG Cancellation Conditions for course participants will apply.

>> Register for this course <<

The course fee includes coffee/tea during breaks, lunches, and one dinner, but does not cover accommodation. 

* WUR PhD candidates affiliated with VLAG, WIMEK, WASS, WIAS, PE&RC with an approved TSP.

The intestinal tract of humans and animals contains a microbiome that consists of thousands of different microorganisms and their genetic repertoire which closely interact with each other and their mammalian host, and are intimately linked to nutrition and health.
Previous editions of this postgraduate course were entitled ‘Light in the intestinal tract tunnel’ (2009), ‘Functional metagenomics of the intestinal tract and food-related microbes’ (2011) and ’The Intestinal Microbiome and Diet in Human and Animal Health’ (2014, 2017, 2019, 2023).

The course is aimed at PhD candidates and postdocs with a background in animal, veterinary, (micro)biological, health, or food sciences and open for participants from both industry and universities/research centers.

This course aims to provide a detailed scientific background on the mechanisms that underlie the role of the microbiome in human and animal nutrition and health. The program combines knowledge on microbial composition and function with dietary factors and health aspects in humans, laboratory and farm animals.

The course consists of a number of thematic blocks that are each introduced by two lectures providing the latest scientific knowledge on the different subjects, followed by ample time for discussion and interaction of participants with each other and lecturers. Participants will be asked to provide short (2-5 min) pitches to introduce their own projects.
Participants are challenged to actively contribute to discussions in interactive sessions following lectures.

The following topics will be addressed:

• Ecological concepts - resilience, individuality, dynamic (developmental) trajectories/patterns
• Closing the gap between in vitro & in vivo models
• One health & circular solutions
• Novel developments in sampling and measurements
• Masterclass What’s up what’s new in microbiome analyses

• Prof. Clara Belzer, Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology
• Dr Detmer Sipkema, Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology
• Prof. Hauke Smidt, Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology
• Dr Erwin Zoetendal, Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology
• Prof. Leo Lahti, University of Turku, Data Science, Finland

Other faculty to be confirmed

More information about the contents of the course can be obtained from the course coordinator, Prof. Hauke Smidt.

For organisational matters, please contact Yvonne Smolders.

Information on accommodation options can be found here.