MIRRI-ERIC partner co-organises International Scientific Meeting on Non-Conventional Yeasts

MIRRI-ERIC is pleased to promote the International Scientific Meeting "Mining Non-Conventional Yeasts (NCY) Biodiversity", which will take place fully online on 17 February 2026. The conference is co-organised by the University of Perugia, a MIRRI-ERIC partner through its Industrial Yeasts Culture Collection DBVPG, within the framework of the NCYdiversity project.

The NCYdiversity project is a collaborative initiative involving three Italian universities (Verona, Perugia and Basilicata) and aims to explore and valorise non-conventional yeasts (NCYs) as strategic bioresources for innovation in the fermented food and beverage sector. Particular attention is devoted to Mrakia and other emerging yeast genera with promising technological and functional traits.

 

A fully online international event

Held entirely online, the meeting will bring together international experts in genomics, bioinformatics, microbial ecology and food biotechnology, ensuring broad participation from the global scientific community. The scientific programme focuses on the use of genome-resolved and metataxonomic approaches as advanced bioprospecting tools for the discovery, characterisation and exploitation of yeast biodiversity.

A dedicated focus of the meeting is the role of microbial culture collections as strategic infrastructures for biodiversity preservation, accessibility and innovation. In this context, the involvement of the DBVPG Culture Collection of the University of Perugia highlights the strong alignment between the NCYdiversity project and MIRRI-ERIC's mission to support high-quality microbial resources, associated data and expertise for science and industry.

As a MIRRI-ERIC partner, the DBVPG contributes to strengthening European and international capacity in microbial biodiversity conservation and exploitation, reinforcing the essential link between research infrastructures and sustainable bioeconomy development.

 

Scientific collaboration and invited expertise

The programme features contributions from internationally recognised experts, including Pranas Grigaitis, Francesca Cordero, Neža Čadež, Andrey Yurkov, John Morrissey, Rosane Schwan, Laura Canonico and Marilena Budroni, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across biodiversity research, genomics and applied fermentation science.

By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines and ensuring online accessibility, the conference aims to foster knowledge integration and promote innovation in sustainable food systems and the bioeconomy, reinforcing the strategic value of microbial resources and research infrastructures.

Registration is mandatory, and it is available here. Further details are available here.