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MIRRI-IT and the BY-COVID project
Members of MIRRI-IT integrate the BY-COVID consortium
Braga (Portugal) and Turin (Italy), 29 October 2021
It has been officially launched a new €12 million Horizon Europe funded project, BeYond-COVID (BY-COVID), which will tackle the data challenges that can hinder effective pandemic response. The core aim of the project is to ensure that data on SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases can be found and used by everyone.
BY-COVID is an interdisciplinary project that unites life science, medical, policy, social science and public health experts from across Europe. Led by ELIXIR, the project has 53 partners from 20 European countries. It will run for three years and is part of the European Commission’s HERA Incubator plan “Anticipating together the threat of COVID-19 variants”.
MIRRI, the pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure for the preservation, study, provision and valorisation of microbial resources and biodiversity, will take part in the project BY-COVID through the participation of three of the member organisations of its Italian node, MIRRI-IT, namely: Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (USMI), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), and Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER).
According to its Executive Director, Luís Soares, “MIRRI has a pivotal role to play on the response to microbialrelated emergencies, since we bring together a comprehensive set of resources, data, services and expertise, coming from our many partner organisations, which provide real added-value for researchers and companies working in the field of human and human-animal infectious diseases, or in the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic solutions”.
Paolo Romano, principal investigator of MIRRI-IT in the project, adds that “The contribution provided by MIRRI partners to BY-COVID, while relatively limited in person-month effort, is very relevant for the best results of the project. The contribution of the Ospedale Policlinico San Martino will bring important knowledge and expertise in the health domain, while the other MIRRI-IT partners will provide a unique expertise in the domain of veterinary health and especially in infective diseases of zoonotic origin”.
The project BY-COVID, in a nutshell
BY-COVID will build and expand upon the successful COVID-19 Data Platform, a resource initiated in the early stages of the pandemic and led by EMBL-EBI. Since its launch, many countries have established their own national data hubs, which ensures that data produced locally can be instantaneously connected and shared with the main COVID-19 Data Portal. Rather than focus purely on providing technical solutions to the biological data, BY-COVID will work with partners such as the Versatile emerging infectious disease Observatory (VEO) and the Public Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) to incorporate data from a broader range of disciplines, including public health and social sciences.
The BY-COVID project strives to simplify data access and reuse through four key pillars:
- Mobilise data – ensuring raw sequencing data from across the world can be easily submitted to core data hubs.
- Connect data – build the technical capacity to allow linking of sequence data and metadata, expanding beyond scientific and medical data to broader metadata from, for example, public health and economics, and support integration to the COVID-19 Data Portal.
- Standardise data – provide recommended data management protocols to encourage Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) data standards and interoperability among resources.
- Expose and analyse data – support exposure and analysis of FAIR data on infectious diseases such as the regular VEO reports on mutations and variation in publicly shared SARS-CoV-2 data and the open COVID-19 Galaxy analysis platform.
For more information, visit the BY-COVID website at by-covid.org.
About MIRRI:
The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI) is the pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure for the preservation, systematic investigation, provision and valorisation of microbial resources and biodiversity. It brings together 50+ microbial domain Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs), culture collections and research institutes from ten European countries and one associated country, namely: Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (headquarters), Romania, Russia and Spain.
MIRRI serves the bioscience and the bioindustry communities by facilitating the access, through a single point, to the broadest range of high-quality microorganisms, their derivatives, associated data and services, with a special focus on the domains of Health & Food, Agro-Food, and Environment & Energy. By serving its users, by collaborating with other research infrastructures and by working with public authorities and policy makers, MIRRI contributes to the advancement of research and innovation in life sciences and biotechnology, as well as for a sustainable, competitive and resilient bioeconomy.
More information and contacts: mirri.org | linkedin.com/company/microbial-resource-researchinfrastructure/ | info@mirri.org.
About MIRRI-IT:
The Joint Research Unit MIRRI-IT is aimed at the implementation of the Italian node of MIRRI and at the development of the Italian network of collections of microbial resources. Its mission is to overcome fragmentation in availability of resources and services, enhancing the quality management system of the collections, while focusing on needs and challenges of the stakeholders interested in the biotechnological transfer of these resources. MIRRI-IT currently incudes five partners and 18 associated partners from Universities, Public Research Institutes and Hospitals. Partners are active in many domains of interest for microbial resources, including food and nutrition, agriculture, forestry and environment, as well as human and animal health.
For more information see mirri-it.it or get in touch by email with info@mirri-it.it.
BY-COVID is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101046203.
Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem protection across land and sea – Open Call
2021-2022 Joint Call
“Supporting the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems
across land and sea”
CALL PRIORITIES
THEME 1: Knowledge for identifying priority conservation areas, establishing effective and resilient ecological networks, enhancing species-based protection and preserving genetic diversity
THEME 2: Multiple benefits and costs of biodiversity and ecosystem protection: synergies and trade-offs
THEME 3: Effective management and equitable governance to deliver bold conservation outcome
The call covers all environments, i.e. terrestrial, freshwater and marine. It also covers research on biodiversity conservation in the Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of the EU.
CALL SCHEDULE
A two-step process will apply, with a mandatory submission of pre-proposals at the first step and submission of full proposals at the second step.
- Deadline for pre-proposals submission (mandatory): Tuesday 30 November 2021, 15:00 CET (local time in Brussels)
- Deadline for full-proposals submission: Thursday 14 April 2022, 15:00 CEST (local time in Brussels)
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, see the Open Call web site at https://www.biodiversa.org/1772
For general information on the call, contact the Call Secretariat: biodiversa.cs@agencerecherche.fr (Juliette Bettus, Céline Billière and Sophie Germann)
IT Officer position for MIRRI
IT officer position available at the Spanish Type Culture Collection – University of Valencia (CECT-UV), UV Science Park, Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 9, Paterna, Valencia.
Gross salary 38.000 €
The contract will be bounded to the project IS_MIRRI21, funded by Horizon 2020, to implement the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI).
Official call and procedure to apply: Soon available.
For contact information see below.
Estimated commencement date and duration: From November 2021 to February 2023. Prolongation possible subject to the availability of funds and extension of the project.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field. Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology or a related field.
PROFILE OF THE WORKING POSITION
IT officer specialized in programming and database management.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
- Experience in web development tools (jQuery, Vue.js, Agilent, BootStrap, etc.)
- Experience in web programming languages (php, Python, javascript, typescript, etc.)
- Knowledge of cloud services PaaS and SaaS
- Experience in relational (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) and non-relational (MongoDB, etc.) database management systems
- Working experience in Internationally Distributed Research Infrastructures in particular, or at least in Research Infrastructures in general
- Participation in research projects related with biodiversity (preferably) or with Life Sciences (in general) would be an asset
- Proficiency in English (oral and written)
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage the MIRRI applications generated within the project
- Manage users according to specifications to ensure access and availability of the system resources
- Give IT support to MIRRI’s Central Coordinating Unit
- Contribute to the design of an interoperable virtual platform providing the MIRRI service offer, ensuring data privacy and security, in collaboration with the Center for Computer Graphics (CCG) based in Braga (Portugal)
- Contribute, together with CCG, in the development of a MIRRI virtual platform to compile, prepare, enrich, store and process a large amount of heterogeneous data (different sources and formats), allowing access to data services related to biological material (MIRRI-IS)
- Contribute, together with the MIRRI ICT team, to export the catalogue data of MIRRI Culture Collection partners to be incorporated into the MIRRI-IS database
- Act as a link of MIRRI-IS with CECT-UV, CCG and LifeWatch (Spain)
- Participate in the project’s tasks (assistance to meetings, elaboration of reports, etc.)
- Willingness to travel to different European cities, mainly to Braga
CONTACT: jmlopez@cect.org
Exhibition "Extraordinary microorganisms"
Escovopsis aspergilloides (Credits: Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands)
Photo exhibition on the occasion of the International Day on Microorganisms
September 17, 2021 – October 31, 2021
On the occasion of the International Day on Microorganisms (September 17), the exhibition “Extraordinary Microorganisms” (open until October 31) was inaugurated at the Turin Botanical Garden. 44 photos taken at 27 European research centers with sophisticated microscopy techniques are exhibited.
The exhibition was organized by the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology and by the Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis (MUT) of the University of Turin with the collaboration of the European Culture Collections’ Organization (ECCO) and the support of the CRT Foundation.
The photographs are accompanied by a brief description in Italian and English of the role of that microorganism in the environment and in various biotechnological processes. Along the way, insights are offered through a QR-code system.
Aspergillus discoforus (credits Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrechts, Netherlands)
If you want to read more, see the following pages (in Italian):
- University of Turin:
Mostra microrganismi straordinari - La Stampa:
Microrganismi Orto Botanico Torino - Repubblica:
Microrganismi Orto Botanico Torino - Turismo Torino:
Inaugurazione della Mostra fotografica Microrganismi straordinari - LaVoce di Torino:
All’Orto Botanico la mostra Microrganismi straordinari - In salute news:
Perché virus batteri e microalghe sono il futuro del nostro pianeta sfata i pregiudizi sui microrganismi - ANSA:
Virus e batteri futuro del pianeta - Greenreport:
Microrganismi straordinari: perché virus batteri lieviti funghi e microalghe sono il futuro della terra
Il futuro del cibo in 16mila ceppi
“Qui con 16mila ceppi studiamo il futuro del cibo”
La collezione di colture microbiche fra le più importanti in Italia, unica al Sud, è custodita nel seminterrato della sede barese del Cnr, il Centro nazionale delle ricerche Ispa: 16mila ceppi microbici tra funghi, batteri e lieviti – alcuni unici al mondo, come i lieviti dei vini del Salento – 8mila dei quali in catalogo e a disposizione della comunità scientifica internazionale, che costituiscono un patrimonio di inestimabile valore da tutelare e valorizzare.
Tre grandi frigoriferi, due di criocongelazione a quasi meno 150 gradi e l’altro di colture in fresco, conservano la biodiversità microbica dell’agroalimentare pugliese, ma non solo, al quale l’istituto barese lavora da trent’anni.
Dal quartier generale in via Amendola, con sedi secondarie a Lecce, Foggia, Sassari, Milano e Torino, i circa 600 tra scienziati, ricercatori e addetti, diretti da Antonio Francesco Logrieco, si dedicano alla ricerca nel campo della Scienza della produzione alimentare.
“Curiamo tutta la filiera dal campo alla tavola – spiega il direttore Logrieco – supportando anche le aziende agricole per produrre materie prime e alimenti sani e di qualità, partendo dai nostri prodotti tipici e dalla dieta mediterranea”
di Isabella Maselli
MIRRI Survey: maximizing its support for users' projects
MIRRI needs to hear from you!
How can we help delivering the maximum value
from your projects, technologies or products?
MIRRI is now asking for your help. It would greatly appreciate if you could spend 10 minutes of your time to respond to its survey “How can we help delivering the maximum value from your projects, technologies or products”.
Fill the survey now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDHF7YD!
MD21: Advances in Microbial Diversity
Microbial Diversity 2021
Advances in Microbial Diversity
https://md21.simtrea.org/
Virtual Event
December 14-15, 2021
The 6th Conference on Microbial Diversity (MD2021) will take place online from 14 to 15 December 2021. The Microbial Diversity Conference is a biennial international event that brings together researchers and professionals from all over the world working on agricultural, environmental and food microbiology.
Previous editions have seen a multidisciplinary audience and included academic and industrial researchers, as well as basic scientists from 36 Countries to make for an exciting forum. The 6th Edition of MD is organized by the Italian Society of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology (SIMTREA), in collaboration with the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, France).
MD2021 will be focused on emerging topics of microbiology, ranging from the study of the metabolome to microbial ecology and the impact of microbes on the human society. The online event will allow researchers from anywhere in the world to take part in the discussions, with the aim to create a connected and collaborative community of microbiologists.
Being a part of this first-of-its-kind virtual MD conference will allow to share experiences, knowledge, research outcomes and best practices, and to hear from the scientists how to explore the hottest topics in microbiology, like never before. The organizing committee is also excited to offer an advocacy and policy platform to communicate to decision makers and the general public the relevance and importance of microbiology.
Invited speakers
Nicholas Bokulich (ETH Zürich, Switzerland); Bas Teusink (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands); Rudolf Amann (Max Planck Institute, Bremen, Germany); Maria Marco (University of California, Davis, California); Sarah Lebeer (University of Antwerp, Belgium); Peter Vandamme (University of Ghent, Belgium); Korneel Rabaey (University of Ghent, Belgium); Pascal Saikaly (KAUST University, Saudi Arabia); Federico Aulenta (Italian National Research Council, Italy); Hadda Imene Ouzari (University Tunis El Manar, Tunisia); Loubna El fels (Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco); Petek Cakar (Istanbul Technical University, Turkey); Marcello Scalisi (Mediterranean Universities Union, Italy).
Scientific Committee
Chairman of the Scientific committee: Luca Cocolin President of SIMTREA, University of Turin;
Daniele Daffonchio, KAUST; Cinzia Caggia, University of Catania; Marilena Budroni, University of Sassari; Carlo Viti, University of Florence; Giovanna Felis, University of Verona; Maria Gullo, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Stéphane Chaillou, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique – INRAE.
Organising Committee
SIMTREA Board
E-mail address: secretariatmd21@simtrea.org;
Website: https://md21.simtrea.org/it/
Registration fee
The registration fees are as follows: 50 Euros for PhD Students and Students; 100 Euros for SIMTREA members and 120 Euros for NON-SIMTREA members and includes the access to all Congress Sessions and digital proceedings. One day registration is fixed to 50 Euros for PhD Students, Students and SIMTREA members, to 70 Euros for NON-SIMTREA members. Please, check deadlines on our website https://md21.simtrea.org/it/
Symposium on Appreciation and Conservation of Microbial Resources
MIRRI and IS_MIRRI21 will be presented by Dr. Aurora Zuzuarregui from UVEG-CECT on September 8, 2021, at 15:50 CET, at the Chilean III Symposium on Appreciation and Conservation of Microbial Resources.
The agenda can be found at: https://www.cchrgm.cl/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Programa_III_SIMP_VAL.pdf
Free registration is still open. See here.
We kindly ask you to please share this announce with your colleagues who might be interested in participating.
IS_MIRRI21 Newsletter #3 is out!
The IS_MIRRI21 Newsletter #3 has been issued.
Here are some of its highlights:
- MIRRI receives a delegation from the European Council
- Four researchers awarded with funded access to MIRRI/IS_MIRRI21 facilities in 2021
- The Joint Research Unit MIRRI-IT: status and undergoing activities
- IS_MIRRI21 and MIRRI’s participation in future events
- Successful launch of IS_MIRRI21/MIRRI two matchmaking events
- IS_MIRRI21 partners organize a public event for the World Microbiome Day 2021!
- MIRRI launched its online platform at www.mirri.org
Register today and start receiving your copy of the IS_MIRRI21 Newsletters by email.
IS_MIRRI21 Newsletters intend to present the project to its wide-ranging target audiences and inform them about the relevant activities within the project and the achievements that the consortium expects to go in the direction of MIRRI’s stakeholders’ interests and aspirations.
IS_MIRRI21 challenges the users to communicate with it to continue strengthening the MIRRI community as never before and visit its website and social media to stay updated on IS_MIRRI21’s activities.
See all IS_MIRRI21 Newsletters here.
Up to today, three issues have been delivered and you can reach them singularly:
Newsletter #1
Newsletter #2
Newsletter #3
IT officer position for MIRRI
IT officer position available at the Spanish Type Culture Collection – University of Valencia (CECT-UV), UV Science Park, Valencia.
The contract will be bounded to the project IS_MIRRI21, funded by Horizon 2020, to implement the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI)
Estimated duration: from October 2021 to February 2023. Prolongation possible subject to the availability of funds and extension of the project. Gross salary 38,000 € / year.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology or a related field.
Official call and procedure to apply: https://links.uv.es/cect2/IT_Officer
See details in the official announcement leaflet.
CONTACT: jmlopez@cect.org