We are delighted as program chairs to welcome you to RAFT® 16 at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes. This year, we continue our tradition of providing a unique forum for fermentation professionals from established multi-national organizations, early-stage biotech companies, and academia to learn about exciting new developments through the scientific sessions. RAFT® is not just a one-way stream of information; it offers numerous opportunities for you to establish and grow your scientific and personal connections during the poster sessions, receptions, banquet, lunches, and regular breaks. We hope you enjoy the warmth and hospitality of beautiful Myrtle Beach.
A lot of effort goes into making meetings like RAFT® successful. We are grateful to our tabletop exhibitors and sponsors for supporting RAFT®. The SIMB team has worked tirelessly to organize the meeting and guide all of us throughout the process, and RAFT® 16 would not be possible without their outstanding work. Special thanks are owed to the organizing committee and all the session conveners who have arranged our oral and poster sessions with speakers and their cutting-edge work. Be sure to thank them when you see them. Also, please consider volunteering to get involved with RAFT® 17, scheduled for 2027.

This year’s program is packed with sessions that cover a wide array of topics crucial to our field and current trends. These include strain engineering, scaling up and down, digitalization, modeling, innovative fermenter designs and fermentation modes, and the integration of upstream and downstream processes. These topics are applied across various sectors such as food, agriculture, environment, and pharmaceuticals. We are thrilled to have Mark Warner, Co-Founder and CEO at Liberation Labs, delivering the keynote address to kick off the conference. Additionally, we have multiple poster sessions that will provide further opportunities for in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing.

Vendors and service providers who support the research and production needs of our industry will be available for in-depth discussions about how they can support our work. Please be sure to visit the tabletop exhibits and attend the vendor showcase presentations during the breaks.

We are fortunate to be holding RAFT® 16 at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes on the scenic Atlantic Coast. RAFT® is first and foremost a scientific conference, but we hope that you take full advantage of the location to enjoy the sun, beach, and all that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to thank all of you who are attending RAFT® 16. The fermentation industry thrives because of your curiosity, ingenuity, and commitment.

Warm regards,