Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BIOMEHEALTH (CAPACITATION OF A PORTUGUESE R&I CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR PLANT PATHOGENS DETECTION AND CONTROL)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-07-01 al 2025-09-30
BiomeHealth's (https://www.biomehealthproject.eu/(si apre in una nuova finestra)) primary objective is to strengthen the Portuguese research and innovation (R&I) system in agri-food science, enhancing its capacity and competitiveness within and beyond the EU. It also aims to build capacity at REQUIMTE/UP by fostering excellence in scientific research, communication, and management, benefiting the Portuguese agri-food sector through close collaborations with leading international partners. This high-tech capacitation will be anchored on a deep collaboration with the partners: the University of Bologna (Italy), with high expertise in biological control, and WUR (Netherlands), highly recognised in R&I in detection tools for different matrices.
BiomeHealth will also address networking gaps and deficiencies between Portuguese research institutions and internationally leading counterparts within the EU, with joint research and training activities.
Six interdependent objectives have been defined. Objectives O1 and O2 focus on advanced research and innovation in pathogen detection and multi-omics applications. Objectives O3 to O6 are focused on training and equipping the widening partner, REQUIMTE/UP, to become a centre of excellence in research and innovation related to pathogen detection and plant health with outcomes expected to align with the "Farm to Fork" (F2F), "Biodiversity", and "Digital Transition" strategies, as well as the Pillar 2 "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness" framework (Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment).
BiomeHealth will be closely integrated with the higher education system of the widening country, serving as a dynamic university alliance in plant protection. It will initiate reforms in undergraduate and postgraduate education programs while promoting scientific excellence to develop promising new R&I domains and test innovative approaches.
This partnership aims to enhance REQUIMTE/UP's capacity by training its staff, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and PhD students in these research and innovation fields, as well as in exploiting outcomes for academic, industrial, policymaking, and societal applications.
BiomeHealth will also address networking gaps and deficiencies between Portuguese research institutions and internationally leading counterparts within the EU, with joint research and training activities.
Six interdependent objectives have been defined. Objectives O1 and O2 focus on advanced research and innovation in pathogen detection and multi-omics applications. Objectives O3 to O6 are focused on training and equipping the widening partner, REQUIMTE/UP, to become a centre of excellence in research and innovation related to pathogen detection and plant health with outcomes expected to align with the "Farm to Fork" (F2F), "Biodiversity", and "Digital Transition" strategies, as well as the Pillar 2 "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness" framework (Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment).
BiomeHealth will be closely integrated with the higher education system of the widening country, serving as a dynamic university alliance in plant protection. It will initiate reforms in undergraduate and postgraduate education programs while promoting scientific excellence to develop promising new R&I domains and test innovative approaches.
This partnership aims to enhance REQUIMTE/UP's capacity by training its staff, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and PhD students in these research and innovation fields, as well as in exploiting outcomes for academic, industrial, policymaking, and societal applications.
Condensed Summary of Activities (First 15 Months)
1. Scientific Work
WUR – Detection Tools
-Developed a LAMP-based method specific to pear-pathogenic S. vesicarium.
-No reaction with non-pear strains; further optimization ongoing.
REQUIMTE/UP – Fieldwork, Pathogen, and Biocontrol Studies
-Collected samples in Portugal for S. vesicarium, E. amylovora, microbiota (including BCA), and metagenomics.
-Isolated and characterized several S. vesicarium strains (virulence, temperature profiles, genetics).
-Major progress on E. amylovora: new isolates analyzed (virulence, resistance, BIOLOG, WGS); epidemiological insights to be published in 2026.
-Microbial isolates stored for BCA screening; metagenomic profiling underway to track community shifts under disease.
UNIBO – Biocontrol Agents
-Sampled microorganisms (cultivable microbiota) isolated from apple/pear flowers in Italy;
- Local collection established of epiphytic bacteria as BCA candidates for E. amylovora and S. vesicarium.
-Morphological characterization completed; inhibitory mechanisms under study.
2. Widening Partner Capacitation (REQUIMTE/UP)
Management & Coordination
-The project management (WP1), documentation, meetings, and partner coordination is being performed. Some delays in the first months were overcome.
-Recruited research staff and improved administrative/technical skills achieved. Team stabilized.
-Coordinated EU proposal preparation and external collaborations.
Training & Human Resources Capacitation
-Visit to WUR completed; training courses planned until Dec 2025.
-Team expanded (post-doc, PhD and MSc students, fellows); participation in mobility and training programs.
-Supporting/advisory groups established (eg. AB, and Focus Group)
- Infrastructure Development (eg., New Detection & Control Centre initiated at FCUP-INOVA; Centre framework/services and coordination defined)
Communication
-Website, social media, and technical journal launched.
-Scientific results being processed; publications expected in 2026.
1. Scientific Work
WUR – Detection Tools
-Developed a LAMP-based method specific to pear-pathogenic S. vesicarium.
-No reaction with non-pear strains; further optimization ongoing.
REQUIMTE/UP – Fieldwork, Pathogen, and Biocontrol Studies
-Collected samples in Portugal for S. vesicarium, E. amylovora, microbiota (including BCA), and metagenomics.
-Isolated and characterized several S. vesicarium strains (virulence, temperature profiles, genetics).
-Major progress on E. amylovora: new isolates analyzed (virulence, resistance, BIOLOG, WGS); epidemiological insights to be published in 2026.
-Microbial isolates stored for BCA screening; metagenomic profiling underway to track community shifts under disease.
UNIBO – Biocontrol Agents
-Sampled microorganisms (cultivable microbiota) isolated from apple/pear flowers in Italy;
- Local collection established of epiphytic bacteria as BCA candidates for E. amylovora and S. vesicarium.
-Morphological characterization completed; inhibitory mechanisms under study.
2. Widening Partner Capacitation (REQUIMTE/UP)
Management & Coordination
-The project management (WP1), documentation, meetings, and partner coordination is being performed. Some delays in the first months were overcome.
-Recruited research staff and improved administrative/technical skills achieved. Team stabilized.
-Coordinated EU proposal preparation and external collaborations.
Training & Human Resources Capacitation
-Visit to WUR completed; training courses planned until Dec 2025.
-Team expanded (post-doc, PhD and MSc students, fellows); participation in mobility and training programs.
-Supporting/advisory groups established (eg. AB, and Focus Group)
- Infrastructure Development (eg., New Detection & Control Centre initiated at FCUP-INOVA; Centre framework/services and coordination defined)
Communication
-Website, social media, and technical journal launched.
-Scientific results being processed; publications expected in 2026.
The project has already generated several innovative scientific results that advance the state of the art in plant disease diagnosis and sustainable control. WUR developed a novel, highly specific LAMP detection tool for Stemphylium vesicarium, along with optimized aerobiome sampling methods that enable early pathogen detection in orchards. REQUIMTE/UP achieved major breakthroughs in understanding the epidemiology and phylogeny of Erwinia amylovora in Portugal, uncovering new genotypes, invasion routes, and BIOLOG-based metabolic profiles are relevant for BCA and SYNCOM development.
Large collections of S. vesicarium from Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands were established and are being phenotypically and genetically characterized, providing the basis for climate-change assays and improved biocontrol strategies. Extensive microbiota sampling in pear orchards is enabling the identification of new BCA candidates and the study of microbiome shifts during disease, supporting future creation of stable SYNCOMs. Metagenomic data (in progress) will yield novel insights into dysbiosis patterns, core taxa, and microbiome–pathogen interactions.
UNIBO’s work on epiphytic bacteria in flowers is uncovering new BCA with potential influence on pollination and fruit development.
For the widening partner (REQUIMTE/UP), the project has already produced significant capacity building: Consortium/Financial Management, internationalization, advanced technical training (e.g. LAMP, aerobiome), stronger international collaborations, improved open-access and management skills, and initiation of the new “Detection and Control Centre,” which will integrate diagnostics, biocontrol development, and stakeholder services.
Large collections of S. vesicarium from Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands were established and are being phenotypically and genetically characterized, providing the basis for climate-change assays and improved biocontrol strategies. Extensive microbiota sampling in pear orchards is enabling the identification of new BCA candidates and the study of microbiome shifts during disease, supporting future creation of stable SYNCOMs. Metagenomic data (in progress) will yield novel insights into dysbiosis patterns, core taxa, and microbiome–pathogen interactions.
UNIBO’s work on epiphytic bacteria in flowers is uncovering new BCA with potential influence on pollination and fruit development.
For the widening partner (REQUIMTE/UP), the project has already produced significant capacity building: Consortium/Financial Management, internationalization, advanced technical training (e.g. LAMP, aerobiome), stronger international collaborations, improved open-access and management skills, and initiation of the new “Detection and Control Centre,” which will integrate diagnostics, biocontrol development, and stakeholder services.