Biotalk - Listeria monocytogenes: Persistence, Diversity and Adaptation

Join us on June 12 for another BioTalk, featuring invited speakers Rui Magalhães and Pedro Sousa, on the topic “Listeria monocytogenes: Persistence, Diversity and Adaptation.”

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium widely distributed in the environment and can be found in soil, water, decaying vegetation, and animals. It is particularly notable for its remarkable ability to survive under adverse conditions, including low temperatures (being able to grow between 0 °C and 45 °C), environments with high salt concentrations, and relatively low pH levels. This resilience makes it a pathogen of significant concern in the food industry, where it can contaminate products such as cold meats, soft cheeses, smoked fish, and inadequately washed vegetables, even when these foods are stored under refrigeration.

In humans, infection caused by this bacterium (known as listeriosis) is generally mild in healthy individuals and may resemble a common case of gastroenteritis. However, in high-risk groups such as pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, the disease can develop into severe forms.

June 12 | 2:00 PM | Room EA 109

Participation is open to all. No registration required.