The Union World Conference on Lung Health is pleased to host 7th edition of TBScience, an official event entirely devoted to basic and translational TB research. TBScience will be held in-person during the Union conference between 12-16 November 2024.

TBScience is devoted to basic and clinical science on tuberculosis. Abstracts should:

1. Respond to at least one of the 4 session themes:
   1. Implications of pathogen heterogeneity for intervention
   2. Fundamental advances in understanding pathogenesis
   3. Mechanisms underlying heterogeneous disease manifestations
   4. Pharmacological considerations for optimising new regimens

Note: Abstracts outside of the above themes will also be considered. Please select “Other” in the submission process.

2. Contain original data not published at the time of the abstract submission deadline
3. Focus on any of the following research fields:
   1. Basic research (microbiology, immunology, -omics, etc)
   2. Animal model studies
   3. Clinical research
   4. Epidemiology and transmission modeling

4. Not eligible are abstracts related to:
   1. Implementation, operational and programmatic research
   2. Descriptive epidemiology (e.g. prevalence surveys)
   3. Health economics, social science research

• All TBScience 2024 abstracts must be submitted online via the dedicated system that will be available from 8 May to 10 June. Abstracts submitted by email or any alternative method will not be considered.
• Persons submitting TBScience 2024 abstracts will be notified of acceptance or rejection of their submissions by late July 2024.
• If you represent a UN organisation, please select the name of the organisation from the list available in the drop-down menu.
• A listed co-author other than the corresponding author may register and present the study at the conference. The corresponding author is responsible for the abstract content. S/he is the contact person for submission and communication purposes and is also responsible for disseminating information related to the session to the co-authors.
• The presenting author by submitting their abstract agrees to make themselves (or a colleague) available during the conference for a virtual question and answer session/ poster tour/ and or record a short presentation that can be placed online within the conference platform.
• The maximum number of authors and institutions is eight.
• If all authors belong to a single institution, you do not need to create new affiliations for each author.
• When submitting, click on “Institutes” to fill in the affiliation fields.

THEMES

Abstract submissions, either oral or poster presentations, should ideally be aligned with one of the below listed four TBScience themes, however abstracts from other topics will also be considered:

Theme 1: Implications of pathogen heterogeneity for intervention

Description: Genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity are hallmarks of the tubercle bacillus, impacting disease course, transmissibility, and drug resistance. This session will examine variation that has evolved naturally and from in vitro engineering through approaches such as CRISPR interference. We will explore how heterogeneity is advancing understanding of M. tuberculosis biology and its functional consequences for drug and vaccine development.

Theme 2. Fundamental advances in understanding pathogenesis

Description: Remarkable advances in understanding the host-pathogen interface in the M. tuberculosis infected lung have recently emerged, enabled by extraordinary advances in research technology. This session will highlight emerging critical knowledge in TB pathogenesis and implications for developing interventions such as host-directed therapy and vaccines.

Theme 3: Mechanisms underlying heterogeneous disease manifestations

Description: Understanding of the wide range of clinical outcomes of M. tuberculosis infection is emerging following study of more people with higher resolution technologies. This session will explore mechanistic understanding of heterogeneity in disease manifestations and treatment outcomes, including sex and age effects, subclinical disease, and incomplete disease resolution and recurrence after clinical and microbiological cure.

Theme 4: Pharmacological considerations for optimising new regimens

Description: Key advances in preclinical and clinical pharmacology have furthered TB drug and regimen development. The session will explore implications of differential drug and tissue pharmacokinetics and dynamics – and inter-individual heterogeneity – for delivering effective treatment and preventing drug resistance. The session will also address translation to new regimens, long-acting drug formulations, and tailored treatments. 

• The abstract should be in English, and no more than 300 words.
• Type the title of the abstract in upper and lower case, using capitals only for the first word, acronyms and proper nouns.
• Titles of more than 25 words (110 characters and spaces) will be truncated.
• One table or one figure may be included with the abstract.
• If you wish to submit a table with your abstract, note that it should be no larger than 5 rows by 10 columns.
• If you wish to submit a figure with your abstract, note the maximum file size of each graph/image is 5 MB. The maximum pixel size of the graph is 600(w) x 800(h). You may upload graphs in JPG, GIF or PNG format.
• Recommended resolution: min. 150 dpi, 300 dpi for images, 600 dpi for line art (charts).
• Important: the graphic content must be clearly legible when previewing the abstract.
• Low-resolution images will not be included in the Abstract Book.
• Please note that tables and figures are reproduced in a single column with the abstract and that legibility is the responsibility of the author. We recommend that you use a sans serif (Arial or Calibri) font for clarity.
• Use the palette of characters provided to insert symbols, accents and special formatting (e.g.,italics, bold, β, μ, etc.).

• Abbreviations and acronyms must be written out in full at the first mention in the text.
• Authors are responsible for proofreading and submitting an abstract without errors.

• Authors are given flexibility with regards to the structure of their abstract.
• No imposed abstract sections such as Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions are required.
• It is the responsibility of the author to present the abstract in a cohesive way.

• The Union is committed to promoting patient-centred language
• When drafting your abstract, please follow the guidance laid out by the Stop TB – LINK

Submitting an Abstract

• • To submit a new abstract, create a user account on the abstract submission platform
  • Ensure that you carefully read all instructions given on the screen at each step of the process.
  • Do not upload the text of your abstract as an attachment. Abstracts submitted as attachments will not be considered.
  • Please refrain from submitting multiple abstracts on the same topic by varying the authors or under different titles with only minor word changes. In such cases, all of the submissions on that topic will be automatically rejected.

• The corresponding author will receive an email confirming that the submitted abstract has been received successfully, with an attachment of the submission.
• After the abstract has been submitted, it can still be edited. However, please make sure that you submit it in its final version before the deadline.

• All submitted abstracts will be sent for peer review by a panel of international experts.
• The scores will then be submitted to a reviewing committee. Note that decisions of the abstract review committee are final and cannot be appealed.

• Corresponding authors will be notified of acceptance of their abstracts by end of July.
• Abstracts that are not accepted cannot be reconsidered for review or presentation at the conference.

• Confirmation that the work has not been previously submitted for consideration to the general portion of the Union World Conference.
• The address, phone and email address where the author may be contacted.
• Information if you require a scholarship to register for the conference.