The existing framework of research infrastructures at a national and international level, the strategic goals, and the interconnection of the Foodbiomes Research Infrastructure node of the University of Ioannina, with the business world and with international research infrastructures were at the center of the project’s meeting held in Ioannina.

The research results of the joint collaborative actions of the institutions and the planning of the research activity for the next period were also presented in the meeting.

The conference was organized by the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry of the Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, under the auspices of the Region of Epirus.

The conference was implemented in the framework of the Operation “Infrastructure of Microbiome Applications in Food Systems – Foodbiomes” (MIS 5047291) which is part of the Action “Support for Regional Excellence” and is funded by the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation 2014” 2020, with the co-financing of Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund). During it, the first important results of the research project “Foodbiomes” were displayed.

The “Foodbiomes” Infrastructure is one of the main research infrastructures of the country in the field of Agri-Food, a field that is a key priority of the National Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) and the main pillar for the National, European, and international research area. contributing to the effective operation of the knowledge triangle “Education – Research – Innovation”.

The object of “Foodbiomes” is the development and utilization of microbiome applications in food systems to enhance their functional action and the production of new products with superior quality and functional characteristics, the documentation of food authenticity, the improvement of traditional production and processing techniques and the production of new knowledge about the effect of new innovative ingredients on the microbiome and ultimately on human health.

The meeting was attended by members (faculty members, EDIP, postdoctoral fellowships, doctoral candidates, and postgraduate students) of the four research nodes that form the backbone of the infrastructure.

Specifically, the participants were: Associate Professor Mr. Andreas Tzakos from the University of Ioannina, Associate Professor Mr. Ioannis Kourkoutas (Scientific Officer and Coordinator of the project), Professor Mr. George Maris, and assistant Professor Mr. Petros Kolovos from the Democritus University of Thrace, Associate Professor Mr. Nikolaos Kopsacheilis and Assistant Professor Mr. Katerina Papadaki from the Ionian University, Assistant Professor Antonios Koutelidakis from the University of the Aegean, and Mr. Panagiotis Panas from the consultant company “Quality Circle“.

Finally, the meeting was supported by the representatives of the companies: Aenorasis SA, VIKOS SA, Bio-Chem, Comitech SA, DOTSOFT SA, HELLAMCO SA, Help Pharmaceuticals SA, Zagori Dairy, and PEGASUS SA.