Genomics and Metabolomics in a Host-Microbe Symbiosis Network

Project Information

SymbNET

Grant agreement ID: 952537

DOI

10.3030/952537

Project closed

EC signature date 2 July 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 August 2024

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 900 000,00

EU contribution

€ 900 000,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACAO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SymbNET (Genomics and Metabolomics in a Host-Microbe Symbiosis Network)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Host-Microbe Symbiosis is a growing crucial axis of research in Biology, with impact in Human Health. Research in this field requires multidisciplinary highly skilled teams and collaborative research. To leverage the Host-Microbe Symbiosis research at FCG-IGC (Portugal) we will establish a European network in the use of Genomics and Metabolomics in this field. SymbNET, coordinated by FCG-IGC, will bring together the world leading research institutions EMBL (Germany), Kiel Univ. (Germany), and UNIL (Switzerland) and another local widening partner ITQB NOVA (Portugal), with whom we already collaborate locally. The network will bring together a consortium of leaders in the field that present a wide range of expertise, technological knowledge, scientific questions, and approaches in Host-Microbe Symbiosis. Therefore, SymbNET will be transformative to FCG-IGC and ITQB NOVA research and establish a center of excellence in Host-Microbe Symbiosis research in Portugal. SymbNET will promote transfer of knowledge and collaborations through programs of Researchers and Staff visit exchanges, collaborative projects, sponsoring the use of new technologies, organizing scientific meetings of the network, workshops, PhD Summer Schools, and a European meeting on Host-Microbe Symbiosis. There will be actions targeted at Early Stage Researchers to promote their research, training, mentoring, and networking, and ensuring gender equality in participation. The interaction with these leading institutions will also leverage FCG-IGC Research Management through the capacitation of the new Center for International Collaboration. SymbNET will promote a network for excellence in the field of Host-Microbe Symbiosis, capacitate the widening institutions, raise the profile and research quality of FCG-IGC, ITQB NOVA, and the other participating institutions, and establish an European consortium in this growing crucial area of research.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

SymbNET program organised several of the initiatives planned to achieve the main goal of establishing a network in the use of Genomics and Metabolomics in Host-Microbe Symbioses: (i) 3 Scientific Meetings with the consortium researchers and facilities’ staff that counted with external participants; (ii) a monthly online seminar series on Host-microbe Symbioses, Genomics and Metabolomics; (iii) seven workshops focusing on Host-microbe Symbioses, Genomics and Metabolomics; (iv) Four international meetings; (v) two editions of a Summer School for PhD students; (vi) three editions of a PhD course on host-microbe interactions; (vii) two career development events; (viii) two capacity building workshops for project managers; and (ix) eight outreach events for the general public and health professional. Additionally, SymbNET directly funded 25 collaborative projects between the widening and leading partner institutes. All project initiatives have been widely communicated through the SymbNET social media and website, reaching a large audience.

Overall, through these initiatives, SymbNET promoted the networking and collaboration of its members, support the career development of early-stage researchers in this field of research, and increased the impact this field of research at the institutional and interantional level.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SymbNET program meets the expected impacts established in the WIDESPREAD-05-2020 call, promoting an increase of research excellence in the strategic biological area of genomics and metabolomics of host-microbe symbiosis of the coordinating institution, FCG-IGC and the partner ITQB NOVA, as well as at the national level in the widening country Portugal. The creation of SymbNET will allow the growth of a crucial area of research that is currently underserved in Portugal while also attracting talent and the necessary critical mass to this fast-developing research field and expanding the European scientific and technological knowledge. The participation of state of the art facilities and world leading research groups in host-microbe symbiosis from institutions based in high-performing countries such as EMBL (a European flagship laboratory for life sciences, renowned by its capacity of developing new instruments, methods and training modules), Kiel University (CAU) (a core member of a unique collaborative research center on the origin and function of metaorganisms), and University of Lausanne (a leading research University with a state of the art metabolomics facility) ensures that the two network members from the widening country, FCG-IGC (as coordinating institution) and ITQB NOVA, can benefit from a wide range of knowledge and expertise. In fact, this network brings together eminent scientists with expertise that spans from fundamental mechanisms of the microbe-host interactions, to the development of tools and technology used in the field and to the training of the next generation of scientific leaders. Having access to experts in these areas will allow FCG-IGC and ITQB NOVA to improve not only its scientific capacity in the host-microbe symbiosis field, but also to improve its ability to develop research tools, recruit group leaders and train early stage researchers (ESRs) and postdocs. Through extensive staff exchange we will raise the quality of research, technical support infrastructures and support services at FCG-IGC and ITQB NOVA. As a consequence, SymbNET will enhance the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of FCG-IGC and ITQB NOVA increasing their international visibility and stimulating network activities. Alongside, we are expecting to improve ITQB NOVA and FCG-IGC´s capability to compete successfully for national, EU and international grants, as well as to increase the number of publications in top peer-reviewed journals. Moreover, the work packages created will enable the establishment of long-lasting connections between the participating institutions and potentiate the internationalization of the widening country partners. Therefore, it is expected that the impact of this network will continue to grow after the conclusion of all activities planned in this document.

SymbNET at a Science Festival, Oct 2021

SymbNET Interim Meeting, March 2022

SymbNET logo