This symposium is the seventh edition of a successful series started in 2013 and held biannually since, establishing itself as a must-attend fixture in the calendar for scientists working with bacteria and new technologies. The meeting covers a broad range of cutting-edge topics in microbiology, featuring diverse research. Emphasis is placed on novel approaches and technologies (from systems-based to single-cell) that drive each field or have the potential to revolutionize future research in microbiology. The meeting is always oversubscribed and manages to bring together scientists from different areas, who normally don’t meet, creating a highly interactive and dynamic atmosphere.