Tularemia is a rapidly progressive and potentially fatal zoonosis of humans caused by the intracellular bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis. Tularemia is a re-emerging disease and public health concern in some areas of the world, such as Scandinavia, Europe, Russia and Turkey. Further, because of its low infectious dose and lethality when inhaled, Francisella tularensis was developed as a bioweapon by three countries, and remains on of the five potential bio-terrorist agents of most concern. Since the first meeting in 1995 in Sweden, the International Conferences on Tularemia have been a major driver of substantial advances in understanding of tularemia pathogenesis, bacteriology, diagnosis, and treatment. This conference brings together scientists and interested parties from throughout the northern hemisphere including the US, Canada, Scandinavia, Europe and Japan to share developments in Tularemia research. Advanced development of medical countermeasures to the rapidly progressive and potentially fatal zoonosis of humans caused by the intracellular bacterial pathogen, Francisella tularensis is an explicit goal of this meeting.  Senior scientist, clinicians and trainees at all levels are invited to participate and attend the 10th International Conference on Tularemia. Attendees with knowledge and interests outside the Francisella community per se also bring perspective and instructive comparisons.

Highlights of accomplishments in the field over the last decade nurtured by interactions in past meetings, include:

• the discoveries of the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI)
• the Type VI secretion system encoded by the FPI
• development of new animal models
• detailed genomic and proteomic characterization
• identification of immune evasion strategies of the bacterium
• the discover of new species of bacteria in the Francisella genus, e.g. fish pathogens of importance to aquaculture

These discoveries have advanced the development of new drug treatments, new diagnostic options, and new vaccine development.

Continuing with this strong track record of success, the 10th International Conference on Tularemia will be held at the World Trade Center in Grenoble Alps, France, from 25-28 September, 2023. The conference will include a keynote address as well as six plenary sessions, poster previews (flash talks) and three poster sessions, with additional opportunities for networking during shared meals and social activities.

The program will be comprised of common plenary sessions and poster sessions, without any breakout or parallel sessions. Each plenary session will be chaired by and include invited speakers who are recognized leaders in the field. As a means to feature the most up-to-date and exciting unpublished science, over 85% of speakers will be selected based on the merits of submitted abstracts. This structure provides maximum presentation opportunities to trainees and early career investigators, and offers a supportive environment in which trainees and all attendees can build their knowledge, hone presentation skills and establish professional mentor/mentee relationships in the community.