The third AgroServ Connect webinar showcased the complementary capabilities of MIRRI-ERIC and EU-OPENSCREEN, highlighting how their combined services can advance agroecological research. Read a recap of the November 21st webinar. 
 

EU-OPENSCREEN, presented by Robert Harmel, operates as a leading European research infrastructure for small molecule discovery and chemical biology. Through its network of approximately 30 partner sites across nine countries, EU-OPENSCREEN provides comprehensive services including high-throughput screening technologies, specialized screening capabilities, and access to extensive compound libraries. Their European Chemical Biology Library, along with academic and fragment libraries, serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking novel bioactive compounds.

MIRRI-ERIC, introduced by Michel-Yves Mistou, brings together around 50 microbial resource centers across Europe, managing over 400,000 microbial resources including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. The infrastructure offers crucial services ranging from the supply of microbiological resources and expertise to characterization services and training activities. Their work spans multiple domains, including soil and crop health, food and feed applications, and environmental solutions, making them an essential partner for agricultural innovation.

The webinar featured two compelling case studies demonstrating practical applications of these research infrastructures. Maryline Calonne-Salmon from BCCM presented research on beneficial microorganisms for potato crop protection, showcasing an innovative approach combining arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with fungal extracts in microbead formulations. This work demonstrated significant success in reducing potato late blight symptoms and highlighted the potential of biological control methods in sustainable agriculture.

Ana Martinez from CIB-CSIC illustrated how chemical genetics approaches can be applied to agricultural challenges. Her presentation demonstrated how methodologies traditionally used in drug discovery could be effectively adapted for agricultural applications, including the development of small molecules for enhancing plant regeneration and the use of virtual screening methods to identify new active compounds.

The webinar concluded with a promising discussion about potential synergies between MIRRI and EU-OPENSCREEN, particularly regarding the development of high-throughput approaches for microbial screening. Through these webinars, AgroServ aims not only to showcase the services available from the consortium but also to open new research avenues that could advance innovation in agroecological research.

Researchers, practitioners, and industry experts interested in advancing sustainable agriculture are encouraged to apply to AgroServ's 3rd call for projects. This opportunity provides free access to our comprehensive Catalogue of over 140 research services, enabling innovative cross-disciplinary research that combines different approaches and expertise. By bringing together diverse research infrastructures and methodologies, AgroServ supports groundbreaking projects that can shape the future of agroecological practices.

You can find the full recording of the webinar on this page.