MICROBEGR

Supporting environmental microbiology and biotechnology research potential in Western Greece

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Western Greece is a large and mostly agricultural region; however, it lacks cutting edge technological facilities, and the necessary expertise and knowledge to address major agricultural and environmental problems. Therefore, it can not exploit scientific information thus humbling the region in its quest for bio-economy. We believe that focusing on life sciences and particularly on environmental microbiology and biotechnology, will result in the development of improved crops and forest resources. Exploitation and sustainable use of biodiversity will enable our region and country to put the foundations for implementing relevant strategies for the development of bio-economy. Currently, the detection, identification and management of microbial pathogens, insects pests and disease vectors pose significant challenges for the agricultural, environmental and medical communities. The emergence of new pathogens, pests and disease problems, the growing concern of the public over pesticide use and the more stringent environmental regulations have generated the need for developing and applying new technologies for identifying and detecting, pests and disease vectors. Our proposal focuses on microbes, insect pests and disease vectors that affect agricultural and environmental communities by addressing two important points: (a) the identification, detection, quantification of pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms in the plant and in the soil and (b) the management of insect pests and disease vectors using novel, symbiont-based and environment-friendly approaches. Implementation of the supporting actions outlined in the current proposal will enable us: (i) to gain human resources, knowledge and expertise to address the significant agricultural and environmental problems of the region of the W. Greece (ii) have a better integration in the European Research Area (iii) improve our capacity for participation in FP7 projects and (iv) improve our RTD capacity and quality of research.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Straddled between east and west, in a temperate climate that fosters unusual nature and biodiversity, Greece is a haven for research and testing related to the natural sciences.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The EU-funded project 'Supporting environmental microbiology and biotechnology research potential in western Greece' (MicrobeGR) is working to detect, identify and manage microbial communities and pathogens in the environment. It is investigating insect pests and disease vectors that pose significant challenges for the agricultural, environmental and medical communities.

The project has developed a user-friendly web portal including MicrobeGR's current research activities, relevant news, events calendar, and research publications. It has recruited researchers in DNA and microbial ecology to initiate new research areas in environmental microbiology and biotechnology.

A microarray facility has been established to study microbial diversity and pathogens, and new equipment, such as a genetic analyser and a DNA imaging system, have been established. The equipment has been installed in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina. Different researchers and institutions can have access to it.

The project also initiated staff networking and exchange programmes, and oversaw a workshop on 'Molecular approaches to unravel the hidden microbial world', held in 2009. It yielded a plethora of results that benefit all aspects of the molecular-microbial-ecology field. These results, combined with the other project initiatives, will advance our understanding of crop disease and other environmental challenges. They will also advance microbiology and biotechnology in novel ways, benefitting from enhanced local facilities and Greece's natural biodiversity.