Towards coordinated microbiome R&I activities in the food system to support EU and international bioeconomy goals–MicrobiomeSupport. Coordination and Support Action of the European Union Horizon 2020 Program (Grant agreement nº 818116), 2018-2021. Principal Investigator of CSIC: Prof. Yolanda Sanz.
This initiative integrates microbiome experts of different ecosystems involved in the food chain, from terrestrial and marine animals to plants, soils and humans, as well as advisory bodies of the industry, funding agencies and policy and regulatory bodies, to identify gaps and opportunities for future research and innovation in the microbiome arena in support for a robust bioeconomy and society.
Objectives
- Identify and map microbiome activities in the EU and worldwide, including programs and facilities, along the food chain and beyond to identify gaps and opportunities
- Creation of a platform for scientists, regulatory experts, industry, funding and policy organizations as well as support of the International Bioeconomy Forum to implement the ‘Food Systems Microbiome’ working group
- Improve use of existing data to allow comparability and improved mining of microbiome data, including microbiome standards and best practices
- Define strategic agendas to enable joint international microbiome applications in the food sector and beyond
- Collaboration and coordination in support of a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe and beyond, in line with the FOOD 2030 policy goal to support the global food system
- Raising awareness and exchange of knowledge across scientific and political communities, including the International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF), and the general public
Impact
- Support internationally-agreed best practices and standards for microbiome research, key for developing applications.
- Optimize funding and reduce the overlap and fragmentation between EU and other national/international initiatives, and re-inforce networks and collaboration
- Increase public knowledge about the microbiome
- Support for a better alignment of R&I agendas and regulations to enable innovative microbiome applications in the food system and beyond generating true benefit for our society