MIRRI discloses its
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
for 2021-2030

Braga, Portugal, 25 March 2021

The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI), a pan-European research infrastructure that brings together over 50 scientific institutions, from 11 countries, has disclosed today its “Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda 2021-2030”.

Under the motto “Microbial resources for a green, healthy and sustainable future”, the Agenda intends to anticipate major trends and opportunities for the valorisation of microbial resources (i.e., microorganisms/microbes and their derivatives) for the sustainable development of society and the economy.

Historically used by humankind for its own benefit (for example, in food processing and preservation processes), microbial resources are today widely used by bioindustries in multiple applications, such as the production of medicines (for example, vaccines and antibiotics), food and beverages, biofertilizers, biopesticides, biofuels, or in the treatment and valorisation of waste and residues.

According to the Executive Director of MIRRI, Luís Soares, “the new Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda reveals MIRRI’s Vision to boost the use of microbial resources by the scientific community and bioindustries, until the end of this decade, in response to some of the greatest societal, environmental and economic challenges that Europe and the World will face, such as those related to the circular economy, human and planetary health, food security and safety, climate transition, decarbonisation or biodiversity”, adding that “MIRRI’s Strategic Agenda can serve as an inspiration for governmental authorities and for other agents of society and the economy in defining policies, programmes and initiatives that can lead to a more sustainable development”.