World Microbiome Day
World Microbiome Day was celebrated on 27- June 2024, with a seminar on "How Enzymes Modify the Gut Microbiome in Poultry" at PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Renowned microbiomist Prof. Dr. Hussnain Ahmad Janjua, former Principal ASAB, NUST-Islamabad, Pakistantalked on “Human, Poultry and Black Soldier Fly Microbiome,” and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imran from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, presented a talk on “Gut Microbiome Dynamics in Enhancing Health and Productivity in Livestock and Poultry Farming.” Prof. Dr. ArfanYousaf, Dean Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, also graced the occasion. Dr. Nasir Mukhtar, Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition, presented on “How Enzymes Modify the Gut Microbiome in Poultry” and chaired the entire session. Dr. Pakeeza Arzoo Shaiq, Assistant Professor of Genomics and Biochemistry, talked on “Handling Samples for 16S rRNA Microbiome Analysis.” Dr. Anas Ahmad Khan, CEO of Foster Animal Health, highlighted different techniques of gut microbiome analysis. The special title of "Nutrimicrobiomist" was awarded to Dr. Nasir Mukhtar and Dr. Anas Ahmad Khan to excel in research and development activities in the field of microbiome. Project posters were presented by graduate and postgraduate students.Prof. Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, Director Quality Enhancement and Chair Department of Livestock Production and Management, PMAS-AAUR in his concluding remarks highlighted the importance of animal nutrition in relaion to micobiome and emphasis on developing multidisciplinasry research projects in this domain. The distinguished attendees decided to establish the Microbiome Association in collaboration with the World Microbiome Association. It was also decided to organize “World AMR and Microbiome Conference “in 2025 under the umbrella of the Microbiome Association.