On June 4-5 I had the pleasure of welcoming colleagues from UK, France and across Europe to Newcastle as the host of the 2nd Cross-Channel C. difficile Forum. 3CdF aims to stimulate UK-France-Europe collaborations on Clostridioides difficile research, and provide a discussion forum and networking opportunity for early career researchers (ECRs).
Back in 2022, I was invited as keynote speaker for the meeting of the RCDF - Réseau C. difficile France, an organisation of French C. difficile researchers, particularly aimed at ECRs. It was a great opportunity to meet colleagues and, more importantly, hear about the fantastic research being carried out by PhD students and postdocs in France. Chatting to RCDF founders and meeting organisers Thomas Candela, Johann Peltier and Claire Morvan, the idea of expanding this format to UK colleagues was born. Over the next year, Meera Unnikrishnan joined the team and at Clostpah 2023, we set things in motion. After a great first meeting in Paris in June 2024, it was time for the UK to welcome everyone.
Dr. Mónica Serrano from ITQB-Nova, Portugal was the keynote speaker, with A/Prof Johann Peltier (Université Paris-Saclay, France) representing the French and Prof. Paula Salgado the UK C. difficile communities, respectively. The event, supported by the Microbiology Society and various sponsors, brought over 40 researchers from UK, France, Netherlands and Portugal and focused on advancing C. difficile research through international collaboration.
Building on Previous Success
This second iteration of the forum builds on the successful first Cross-Channel C. difficile Forum that took place in Paris in 2024. The Sheffield group’s enthusiasm was evident, with participants like Lilia presenting her first flash poster on the C. difficile stringent response, and Anirudh delivering an excellent presentation on genetic engineering of phage.
Research Highlights and Collaboration
The forum showcased cutting-edge research in C. difficile, ranging from fundamental cell biology to clinical applications. Early career researchers had the opportunity to present their work through both poster sessions and flash talks, fostering the next generation of C. difficile researchers.
The collaborative spirit was particularly evident in discussions about phage therapy approaches, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and novel therapeutic strategies. The international nature of the forum - bringing together researchers from multiple European countries - created an ideal environment for establishing new research partnerships and collaborative projects.
Looking Forward
The forum reinforced the importance of international collaboration in tackling the global challenge of C. difficile infections. With healthcare-associated C. difficile infections continuing to be a major concern across European healthcare systems, events like 3CdF play a crucial role in advancing our understanding and developing new treatment strategies.
The success of this year’s forum in Newcastle, following the inaugural meeting in Paris, demonstrates the growing strength of the European C. difficile research community. Plans are already underway for future forums, with the aim of continuing to foster collaboration and support early career researchers in this vital field.
As we continue to see the emergence of new strains and changing epidemiology of C. difficile infections across Europe, forums like 3CdF provide essential platforms for sharing knowledge, coordinating research efforts, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The enthusiasm and high-quality research presented at the 2nd Cross-Channel C. difficile Forum bodes well for the future of C. difficile research and the continued growth of this important research community.