As the year comes to a close, SUS-MIRRI.it would like to extend its warmest Season’s Greetings to the entire research community, partners, stakeholders, and collaborators who have contributed to the growth of the Italian and European microbial research ecosystem.
This year marked a significant milestone for the project, with tangible results across research, infrastructure, services, and training.
Among the key achievements:
- 50 researchers, PhD students, and technicians were hired, strengthening national expertise and capacity.
- 81 scientific publications were produced, accompanied by a large number of posters and presentations at national and international conferences.
- Dedicated funds were fully invested in the purchase of scientific equipment and cutting-edge technologies.
- The national catalogue of Italian microbial resources was created and now includes over 40,000 strains of filamentous fungi, bacteria, yeasts, microalgae, and plant viruses.
- 5,500 new microbial strains were added, with 5,600 strains characterized.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed for the isolation, preservation, and reuse of microbiomes.
- Bioinformatics workflows were developed for genome assembly, annotation, and microbiome analysis.
- Harmonised national documentation was established, covering the Nagoya Protocol, biosafety requirements, and operational instructions.
- 600 companies were involved in the service set-up process.
- The national service catalogue was created, including 56 new microbial analysis services developed within the Operational Units.
- 32 advanced training courses were delivered, contributing to the national training course catalogue.
- Access programmes were launched and consolidated:
- Trans National Access (TNA): free-of-charge access to laboratory facilities for EU and non-EU researchers.
- National Open Access (NOA): free-of-charge access to laboratory facilities at national level.
- Trans National Access (TNA): free-of-charge access to laboratory facilities for EU and non-EU researchers.
Latest Scientific Publications from SUS-MIRRI.IT
We are pleased to present here the three most recent peer-reviewed scientific publications developed within the SUS-MIRRI.it framework. These studies further strengthen the project’s contribution to microbiome research, microbial preservation, and fungal biotechnology, promoting standardisation, reproducibility, and innovation at national and international level.
Ferrocino I., Ferrara M., Garello M., Turchetti B., Andreolli M., Arena M.P., Alduina R., Aloi F., Bevivino A., Bruno E., Capozzi V., Coronas R., De Vero L., Di Renzo T., Franzetti A., Gaglio R., Gallo G., Gullo M., Guarcello R., Giavalisco M., Lampis S., Mugnai G., Quatrini P., Reale A., Sbarra F., Sannino C., Spadaro D., Tatangelo V., Visca A., Zara G., Zotta T., Varese G.C., Cocolin L. (2025).
Standardizing microbiome research: interlaboratory validation of SOPs for sample preparation and DNA extraction from food and environmental ecosystems.
Environmental Microbiome.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-025-00833-z
Mellere L., Bava A., Armengaud J., Berini F., Marinelli F., Varese G.C., Spina F., Beltrametti F. (2025).
Unravelling the potential of fungal division of labour in the laccase producer Coriolopsis trogii MUT3379.
Journal of Fungi, 11, 890.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11120890
Musi V., Aiello E., Arena M.P., De Vero L., Pulvirenti A., Gullo M. (2025).
Freeze-drying effects on viability and cellular stability in a subset of sourdough lactic acid bacteria strains.
Current Microbiology, 83(1), 76.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-025-04673-5
…Stay tuned in 2026: many new studies are on the way!
These results reflect a collective effort and a shared commitment to open science, sustainability, and innovation.
SUS-MIRRI.it wishes you a peaceful holiday season and looks forward to continuing this journey together in the coming year.
