Summary Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements that transfer from cell to cell by conjugation (like plasmids) and integrate into the chromosomes of bacterial hosts (like lysogenic phages or transposons). ICEs are prevalent in bacterial chromosomes and play a major role in bacterial evolution by promoting horizontal gene transfer. Exclusion prevents the redundant transfer of conjugative elements into host cells that already contain a copy of the element. Exclusion has been characterized mostly for conjugative elements of Gram‐negative bacteria. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an exclusion mechanism in ICEBs1 from the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We found that cells containing ICEBs1 inhibit the activity of the ICEBs1‐encoded conjugation machinery in other cells. This inhibition (exclusion) was specific to the cognate conjugation machinery and the ICEBs1 gene yddJ was both necessary and sufficient to mediate exclusion by recipient cells. Through a mutagenesis and enrichment screen, we identified exclusion‐resistant mutations in the ICEBs1 gene conG. Using genes from a heterologous but related ICE, we found that the exclusion specificity was determined by ConG and YddJ. Finally, we found that under conditions that support conjugation, exclusion provides a selective advantage to the element and its host cells.

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Scaled learning requires a novel set of practices on the part of professionals developing and delivering systems of scaled learning. According to IEEE's Industry Connections Industry Consortium for Learning Engineering (ICICLE), "Learning engineering is a process and practice that applies the learning sciences, using human-centered engineering design methodologies, and data-informed decision-making to support learners and their development [1]."This workshop is designed as a boot camp for learning engineering. It is structured around a series of micro-learning activities around this definition. Topics include:• Learning engineering is a process • Learning engineering applies the learning sciences • Learning engineering is human centered • Learning engineering is engineering • Learning engineering is data-driven • Learning engineering is a team sport • Learning engineering is ethical These learning experiences are organized based on and include materials from the forthcoming book the Learning Engineering Toolkit [2]. This workshop will also give conference participants an opportunity to give input into models for scaling the profession of learning engineering and formative feedback for iterative development of the Learning Engineering Toolkit.

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