Past Events

Exploring the shared future of microbiome, food and health: How can microbiome R&I leverage food systems transition and improve human health?

On November 18th, 2024, DOMINO was showcased during a conference in Brussels, organised by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), University Paris-Saclay, Ferments du Futur and AgroParisTech.

Representatives Lucia Espinosa from INRAE and Sinéad McCarthy from Teagasc presented the Living Labs of Domino, with specific insights from the Irish and French Living Labs.

Participants to this event included representatives from the European Commission, underscoring the importance of including policymakers in the critical discussions regarding regulation around microbial-based food innovation.

European Research Night

On September 27th, 2024, researchers from the University of Naples Federico II Dipartimento Agraria Unina (Department of Agricultural Sciences) presented the DOMINO project to an enthusiastic audience during the European Research Night, an event co-organised by the STREETS project. DOMINO researchers showcased the work we’re doing and demonstrated just how fascinating and relevant fermentation research is today.

Their interactive stand invited the public to explore the topic, “Microorganisms: important allies for food production and human health”. Viewers were able to learn about which microorganisms are present in many of the foods we consume, and which activities they carry out for our health. They were also able to observe different types of microorganisms found in fermented foods under the microscope.

It was a wonderful chance to engage with the community and highlight the real-world impact of science!

MiCROPe Conference 2024

The miCROPe conference on microbe-assisted crop production was held from July 15-18, 2024, and covered the role of soil and plant microbiomes in agriculture, focusing on nutrient delivery, stress tolerance, and pathogen control. The event aimed to connect research with practical applications and featured sessions on microbial functions in biocontrol, nutrition, and field applications.

View the DOMINO poster presented at miCROPe by by Chiara Traina from the University of Turin. The poster was based on the publication “Monitoring the yeasts ecology and volatiles profile throughout the spontaneous fermentation of Taggiasca cv. table olives through culture-dependent and independent methods.”

Human Microbiome Action Final Conference: Charting the Future of Microbiome Research

The final conference of the Human Microbiome Action project, coordinated by Joël Doré, Emmanuelle Maguin, and Mani Arumugam, took place on February 29th, 2024, at Les Ateliers des Tanneurs in Brussels. The event featured insightful presentations on the current state of human microbiome research, while also addressing policy recommendations to safeguard public health.

Stéphane Chaillou (INRAE), coordinator of the DOMINO project, participated in a panel discussion titled “Where Will Microbiome Research Lead Us? Vision and Roadmap for Future Endeavours.” The panel featured experts Tanja Kostic (MicrobiomeSupport; Austrian Institute of Technology), Carolina Alves Costa Silva (ONCOBIOME; Gustave Roussy), and Federica Carraturo (GEMMA; University of Naples) and coordinator Stephan Kampshoff (EUFIC). Stéphane discussed emerging research opportunities, particularly regarding the connection between healthy microbiomes, diet, and disease. The panel followed an engaging talk by Emmanuelle Maguin on identifying key research questions for the future of microbiome studies.

The event was not only a forum for scientific exchange but also offered a networking opportunity – see #DominoEU’s “Microbiome Ambassadors” in action with Stephane, Emmanuelle, Debora, and Dasha, who are helping to advance awareness and collaboration in this exciting field!

DOMINOEU at EFFoST 2023: Collaborative Session on Microbes in Sustainable Foods

From November 6th to 8th, Stéphane Chaillou (INRAE) participated in the #EFFoST2023 conference in Valencia, which hosted a special session dedicated to the European projects part of the Microbes4SustainableFoods (M4SF) cluster . This session marked the first collaborative activity of M4SF.

During the session, Stéphane presented an overview of the DOMINO project’s objectives, while Abelardo Margolles from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) introduced DOMINO’s approach to designing microbial consortia using synthetic ecology strategies. The session concluded with a roundtable discussion, where attendees engaged in lively conversations about the future of microbial innovations in sustainable food production.

DOMINO at the PIMENTO Forum

The PIMENTO Forum (2023) highlighted the DOMINO project, with Stéphane and Marie (INRAE) presenting the ambitious goals of this interdisciplinary initiative. The project received positive feedback at the forum, particularly for its innovative Living Labs and strong networking efforts within the COST PIMENTO network. The DOMINO project’s enthusiastic reception at the PIMENTO Forum highlights its potential for transformative breakthroughs and fruitful collaborations, solidifying its impact on scientific research.

10th International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC) Congress 2024

IHMC2024 took place in Rome from June 22-25. This was an opportunity for experts to connect with leading experts in the field of microbiome research. EUFIC attended to represent its various EU funded microbiome-based projects, including DOMINO, to emphasise how different fields of microbiome research can work together to promote a healthier future for all of us.

FOOD 2030 Networks Conference

From March 5-7th, 2024, the FOOD 2030 Networks Conference took place in Brussels and online, inviting stakeholders from a wide network of EU funded projects working towards food system transformation.

Colleagues from EUFIC represented the DOMINO project and its Living Labs. This opportunity allowed the DOMINO project to connect with many inspiring voices from EU-funded projects focused on cross-disciplinary actions for transforming food systems.

Over the three days, attendees—including farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers—worked on strategies for shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and food systems. Collaborative actions, technological innovations, and engagement with policymakers were central to the discussions, setting the stage for impactful change in the years ahead.

Food Innovation Gateways 2023

On November 8, 2023, Teagasc hosted the event “Food Innovation Gateways 2023: Building a Sustainable Food System – The Role of Bioprocessing and Fermentation Technology.” The event, open to the public, attracted 135 attendees, including stakeholders from SMEs, multinational organizations, policymakers, and funding bodies, all with a shared interest in fermentation technology.

The day featured presentations, a discussion panel, and a tour of the facilities. John Kenny from Teagasc and Gerry Scullion from King of Kefir participated in the panel discussion. The event provided valuable insights into how bioprocessing and fermentation can drive sustainability in the food industry.

Teagasc Open day

On Tuesday, July 4^th 2023, DOMINO’s Teagasc team, including Antonio Lourenco, John Kenny, and Dominic Farsi attended the Teagasc Open Day at Moorepark. At the Teagasc Food stand, they promoted the DOMINO project, in the frame of event theme ‘Securing a Sustainable Future’. The event highlighted the various technologies and practices available to farmers to underpin the economic, environmental and social sustainability credentials of their farms. This event provided attendees with the opportunity to see and learn about the results of the comprehensive, broad spectrum research programme undertaken by Teagasc, and to meet research, advisory, education staff and industry partners.

Microbiome Masterclass on World Microbiome Day

On June 27, 2024, VistaMilk and APC Microbiome Ireland co-hosted a Microbiome Masterclass in celebration of World Microbiome Day. Organised by Orla O’Sullivan and chaired by Paul Cotter from Teagasc, the event welcomed industry professionals and academics, with 104 attendees, to discuss the role of microbiomes across various environments, from soil to society.

The DOMINO project was prominently featured throughout the day, with keynote presentations from DOMINO partners Abelardo Marquelles, Isabel Garcia-Perez, and Gloria Fackelmann. The event offered a unique opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge research and explore the latest advancements in microbiome science.