We've had a busy couple of weeks with members from the Ronson lab visiting us from the University of Otago, NZ. After a nice relaxing beach weekend up in Jurien Bay, we joined the Centre for Rhizobium Studies group at Murdoch University for a Mesorhizobium and Rhizobial Genetics Research Symposium. We were lucky enough to have presentations by lab heads, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and honours students, covering a wide range of rhizobial research. Topics covered during the day included structural biology, synthetic biology, horizontal gene transfer and bacteria-plant relationships. Overall it was a great day and special thanks to the CRS for hosting the event.